D063 On Mandatory Diocesan Assessment
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That the Executive Council, in its pivotal role, must lead the development of an equitable, transparent, and unbiased process for evaluating waiver requests and Diocesan assessments. This crucial step, led by the Executive Council, will address the perceived arbitrariness of decisions and inequitable distribution of funds and alleviate the process's demeaning nature. The Executive Council, as the key driver of this change, will significantly contribute to fostering healthy relationships between dioceses, provinces, and the wider church by establishing such a process; and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council must also develop a new and previously unseen strategy to ensure that the Episcopal Church continues to exist throughout our current territory. This means not sitting back and waiting for dioceses to combine with other dioceses, be absorbed by larger dioceses, or perish. Instead, the General Convention and Executive Council need to use the significant accumulated wealth of the Episcopal Church to ensure that the weak dioceses among us survive and thrive, bringing a new era of hope and health to the whole body. This strategy holds the promise of a brighter future for all; and be it further
Resolved, That we, as a church, acknowledge that many dioceses across the Episcopal Church have a proportion of their parishes in decline, that these dioceses will have incredible difficulty paying their fair share, and that more of these dioceses may request waivers in the future; and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council will approach the waiver and fair share assessment process with an unwavering commitment to a “holy spirit of abundant generosity,” trust, and love. (Mark 4:20) This approach is not just a suggestion but a beacon of hope for fostering healthy relationships between the separate dioceses, provinces, and the wider church. This approach, which includes assisting struggling dioceses with advice, coaching, and financial support for evangelism, congregational vitality, and stewardship, underscores our deep commitment to the well-being of all dioceses; and be it further
Resolved, That the very monies and grants being withheld from dioceses who cannot pay assessments are punitive and antithetical to building the “beloved community” and ignore the gifts of all our people, especially those suffering temporary hardships brought about by brutal economic realities. “In ministering to each other, each from the riches that each possesses, we work together for the full coming of God’s kingdom.” Henri Nouwen, The Spirituality of Fundraising
Explanation
Whereas Canon I.4.6 Sec. 6 section f. The Executive Council “has the power to grant waivers from the full annual assessments of dioceses within the limit established by the General Convention. Any diocese may appeal to the Executive Council for a waiver of the assessment, in full or in part, based on financial hardship, a stated plan for working toward full payment, or other reasons as agreed with the Executive Council. Effective January 1, 2019, failure to make full payment or to receive a waiver shall render the diocese ineligible to receive grants or loans from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society unless approved by the Executive Council.”
The Executive Council process for granting diocesan waivers for fair share assessments has been perceived as discriminatory, arbitrary, and disconnected from dioceses' economic realities. The mandatory Assessment refers to the proportionate amount each diocese is expected to contribute to the wider church based on its financial capacity.
We must acknowledge that not all dioceses are equally resourced and that while some have endowed funds that pay for the bishop and diocesan staff, offer grants to small congregations, pay clergy health care, or provide other services, others do not. Paying the churchwide assessment means cutting services and the diocesan staff in dioceses with fewer resources. In these dioceses, paying the churchwide assessment can accelerate the Episcopal Church's decline, reducing the Diocese’s capacity to support struggling Episcopal Churches and fund essential and canonically required diocesan functions.
It is also essential to recognize the difference between dioceses willing to pay their fair share but unable to do so due to financial constraints and those refusing to pay their fair share as a means of protest. There is a significant distinction between a diocese that has the means but chooses not to pay and one that wants to contribute but can only do so by compromising essential ministries. Often, dioceses genuinely trying to pay their fair share and facing hardships are unfairly treated like dioceses who won’t pay.