C004 The Episcopal Church Diocesan Assessment

In our post-covid and ever-changing world, more and more congregation’s budgets are feeling the strains of ministry - from building maintenance, to appropriate ministry staff, to rising healthcare costs. Now more than ever, it is crucial to keep more resources local so that ministry can thrive on the congregational and diocesan level.

This resolution asks the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church to do the hard and discerning work of planning for our future as a denomination. With over $400,000,000 in endowments, The Episcopal Church (DFMS) has a $50,000,000 annualized budget. Based on Line Item 9 of The Episcopal Church’s approved budget, Diocesan Commitments make up over $28,000,000 of that amount. That amount is 15% (the previous assessment rate) of $192,000,000. This means that over 20% of all DFMS and Diocesan expenditures each year ($242,000,000) are done at the DFMS level. The Episcopal Church is top heavy.

Every organization in the 21st century is retooling for the next generation and the Episcopal Church must do the same. It is out of love for The Episcopal Church, its ministry, history, and future, that we submit this resolution.