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07596 September 20, 2007
Mission Funding Task Force outlines final report Emphasizes communication, designated giving, accountability
by Toya Richards Hill Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE - The task force charged with creating a new funding system for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has asked the General Assembly Council (GAC) to approve a system that places a high priority on communication and funds development, encourages and broadens the availability of designated funding and emphasizes simplified giving and stronger accountability.
Classifying the final report of the Mission Funding Task Force (MFTF) as an "adaptive approach," chair Conrad Rocha of Albuquerque outlined the group's 57-page plan during the opening session of the GAC meeting here Sept. 17-21.
"This report does not offer that magic pill," he said. It does not offer a "technical solution."
The report is "a response to a condition" that will take time to address, Rocha told the GAC.
The MFTF plan recommends:
A raised priority for the communications and funds development activities of the General Assembly Council;
A revision of the funding system to encourage and broaden the availability of designated mission funding opportunities; and
A new emphasis on simplified giving and accountability processes so that all Presbyterians might more clearly understand the need for funding and accountability for how the funds have been used. "The Mission Funding challenge facing the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is not a problem of resources, as Presbyterians are a people with abundant resources," the task force said in its report.
"The primary challenges for the mission funding system of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are low awareness of Presbyterian mission, a preference for designated gifts, and a complicated funding system which is difficult to understand," it said.
The task force has been working on its plan for "funding Christ's work" for three years. It was charged with its task after the GAC was instructed by the 216th General Assembly (2004) to "develop and propose a conceptual framework for a new mission funding system for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)."
The group's work has involved a wide range of efforts, including focus groups, a survey and visiting with "a great number of people," Rocha said.
The report itself is broken into six key areas: A System of Giving, A Season of Interpretation, Communication and Funds Development, A Shared System of Administration and Accountability, Stewardship and Per Capita.
In terms of giving, the MFTF is suggesting a "system of giving which preserves the equal worth of both shared and designated mission giving as faithful ways to support Christ's mission."
It also calls on the GAC to "gradually transition" the two current forms of designated mission giving - direct mission support and extra commitment opportunities - into funding for specific mission over five years, beginning in 2009.
Telling "compelling stories" of the denomination's work is among the goals of a "season of interpretation" the MFTF is proposing that the GAC recommend to the General Assembly.
The period of time each year, starting in 2009, would allow the PC(USA) to "interpret and promote its work in the context of the mission programs of the local, regional, and national governing bodies of the PC(USA)."
The PC(USA)'s newly created office of communication and funds development would take the lead in implementing the "season," working collaboratively with presbyteries and synods.
Various other tasks for communication and funds development also were recommended, including creating, promoting and protecting "a consistent brand identity for the mission agency of the General Assembly with implementation to begin in 2009."
In the area of per capita, the task force made a minor recommendation.
People may dislike the concept, but "it works, it is being paid," Rocha said. "It doesn't appear to be broken."
The MFTF proposes that the GAC "reactivate the General Assembly Council/Committee on the Office of the General Assembly per capita table for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating the mission and work covered by the per capita budget and the general mission budget to determine what work and ministry would best be accomplished in which budget."
If the MFTF report is adopted by the GAC, it will go to the 218th General Assembly. If approved there, it would replace the comprehensive mission funding strategy report approved by the 210th General Assembly (1998).
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