Acknowledgements
This resource has been created through the vision and dedication of the following persons:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Paul Stanwood People’s Warden, Tanya Northcott Rector’s Warden, Betty Carlson Associate Warden, Angela Van Luven Treasurer, Jane Turner Trustee, Harry Biden Trustee, Eleanor Beckett Trustee & Fr. Mark Greenaway-Robbins Chair.
CLERGY
Fr. Mark Greenaway-Robbins Rector, Mother Jessica Schaap Curate, Fr. Matthew Johnson Street Outreach Priest, Fr. Michael Forshaw Honorary Assistant & Sacristan, Br. John Blyth Honorary Assistant.
ENVELOPE SECRETARY
Philip Green
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Angela Van Luven Chair, David Agler, Randall Cheah, Rocky Rocksborough-Smith, John Van Luven Business Manager.
PARISH COUNCIL OFFICERS
Brian Rocksborough-Smith Chair & Allan Duncan Secretary.
STEWARDSHIP TASK GROUP
Doug Ibbott, Reece Wrightman & Fr. Mark Greenaway-Robbins.
PHOTO CREDITS
Br. Shane Bengry - pages 14, 16. Christine Hatful - cover, pages 13, 19. Chris Loh - pages 17, 20.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 3
Contents
FIRST STEPS 4-10
Abundance & Conversion: An Introduction
NARRATIVE BUDGET 12
Vision Statement Mission Objectives:
13
- To be a beacon for all as a neighbourhood and destination church
14
- To invite and welcome friends, family, and strangers into our midst
15
- To deepen our life of prayer and worship
16
- To develop relationships among parishioners in open, honest and spiritual ways through discipleship formation
17
- To develop relationships with our neighbours, principally through support for the Street Outreach Initiative and the Saint James Music Academy
18
- To develop relationships with local Christian churches by ecumenical worship and work
19
- To pursue justice for the imparting of the Kingdom of God within and beyond the parish
20
Clergy
21
Diocesan Apportionment
4 | CONTENTS
PLANNING TOOLS 23
Income & expenditure: an historical overview
24
Income & expenditure: today
25-26
Expected Income & expenditure: 2010
27
Principles for budget making
28
Financial Plan
29-30
Asset-Based Planning: Gifts in Action
31-32
St. James’ Parish Foundation
33-37
Diocesan Strategic Plan
NEXT STEPS 39
Abundance & Conversion: Choices & Commitment
CONTENTS | 5
FIRST STEPS
6 | FIRST STEPS
Abundance & Conversion: An Introduction
THE JOURNEY
We are now well placed to engage honestly and thoroughly with the financial dimension of our Parish life.
Where and how are we going to prioritize the financial resources and energy in the Parish?
An alternative title to this resource could be “downsizing and demise”, or “privation and stagnation”. It all depends on our faith perspective. As a Parish Community, by virtue of our baptismal covenant, we are always on a journey. In the past few years some signposts on this journey have been the creation and approval of our Vision statement and Mission objectives, the ongoing renewal of the Liturgy, the creation of a Parish Council as part of the renewal of the Parish’s governance model, and the creation of St. James’ Parish Foundation as part of the renewal of the entities and relationships between the Parish, Foundation and St. Luke’s Home Society. We are now well placed to engage honestly and thoroughly with the financial dimension of our Parish life. As you will see in the following pages, our financial circumstances necessitate that the Parish is going to look and be different within two or three years. The Parish’s Board of Trustees are eager to work with the Parish Council to inform, engage and seek direction from the Parish. Where and how are we going to prioritize the financial resources and energy in the Parish? We now have the tools. We have discerned a common vision and direction for the Parish within the purposes of God, we trust, as described by our Vision and Mission document. The St. James’ Parish Foundation is now fully registered and operational. So, for the first time in our history, we have a fit-for-purpose fundraising arm to the Parish.
FIRST STEPS | 7
NAMING THE MYTHS You can read in the pages which follow that we have a new God given challenge. We can choose to receive it as downsizing and privation. However, dare we embrace what we really have as an abundance to offer to the glory of God and for ministry in Christ’s name? Also, we can choose to live this moment in our baptismal journey together as stagnation. However, dare we embrace this time and these circumstances as grace-filled occasions for our conversion by the Holy Spirit?
… dare we embrace this time and these circumstances as a grace-filled occasion for our conversion by the Holy Spirit?
8 | FIRST STEPS
My experience with you in the Parish of St. James’ is that we struggle to be free in Christ from parochial myths. We are no longer a “great” parish in the Diocese in terms of the volume of our membership. Neither are we great in terms of wealth, which is best described by regular contributions, not by our endowments. We can no longer assume that “Anglo-Catholicism” is understood within, or without, the Parish in this Diocese and Communion. So we constantly need to teach and inculcate the Catholic Christian way of sacramental living which is informed and supported by a rule of life. The Parish itself is no longer, if it ever was, a great provider of social services to the neighbourhood and city. St. James’ has a charism for giving birth to organizations and letting them grow into maturity: St. James’ Community Service Society, Cooper Place, the Dugout, Coming Home Society, come immediately to mind. I am surprised by the variety of persons who continue to think that the work of the St. James’ Community Service Society continues to be part of St. James’ Anglican Church.
BEING AND BECOMING OURSELVES IN CHRIST We have to name these things, I believe, if we are to know the abundance which is already available to us. This is an initial and essential wisdom from our spiritual tradition—to be who we are before Christ and one another requires courage, humility and grace. Liturgically this is symbolized by the stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday. Our current financial circumstances are an opportunity for our conversion because it is getting increasingly difficult to maintain the myths which protect us from our “bare” self. Like baptism, in order to be clothed with Christ we first have to encourage one another to be stripped so that we can die with Christ. If you like, our financial situation is stripping away our old self. So the opportunity before us is to become who we are in Christ, our new selves, without mythology. We are blessed with a unique abundance of faithful Christian people, in a remarkable sacred space and neighbourhood. There is an extraordinary degree of energy and commitment in the Parish whether in the liturgical guilds, ministries or governance of the Parish.
We are blessed with a unique abundance of faithful Christian people, in a remarkable sacred space and neighbourhood.
FIRST STEPS | 9
CHOICES & COMMITMENT Now is an occasion for wise choices and courageous commitment.
The purpose of this narrative budget is to offer a tool to the whole Parish through which we can be fully informed about our financial status. It is offered to the Parish so that we can be equipped to understand and respond faithfully to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. The Vision statement and Mission objectives have been used as a lens through which we can see how to offer the resources of our money and energy to the glory of God and in pursuit of the reign of Christ. At this time, if we choose to ignore the facts and subscribe to our parochial myths, we do so at our imminent peril and diminishment. Now is an occasion for wise choices and courageous commitment. God grant us the grace to respond with faith, hope and charity.
Fr. Mark Greenaway-Robbins Eleventh Rector of St. James’
10 | FIRST STEPS
NARRATIVE BUDGET
NARRATIVE BUDGET | 11
Vision Statement
Discovering the beauty of holiness in our lives and neighbourhood, by living a Christ-centred sacramental life rooted in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.
The vision statement inspires us. It describes who we wish to become. It is not a static but dynamic end. The vision describes that into which we are always journeying. Beauty: St. James’ has a long tradition of seeking and incorporating beauty into its life of worship. The vestments, music, sacred space and choreography, all signify and invite us to participate in the beauty of God. And the beauty of God compels us to find the integral connection between beauty and holiness. Holiness: It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us and so holiness is discovered through relationship. Holiness is not about piety but about being empowered through the sacraments to live by grace. “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2b). Sacramental life: The celebration of the sacraments empowers us to serve and participate in the life of God. This life has at its source the self-offering of Christ.
12 | NARRATIVE BUDGET
To be a beacon for all as a neighbourhood and destination church
$233, 700 We commit to providing sanctuary and refreshment in Christ and to recognize and own that our Church is available to those who live in the neighbourhood and those who join us from the wider city and region.
The building of St. James’ is active seven days a week and provides space and sanctuary for times of prayer, celebrations of Mass, as well as meetings of guilds, ministries, and community groups. The church office is open and available six days a week. To provide a secure, accessible, and hospitable building and a well functioning office, the general expenses of the church include heat and light, office and maintenance staff salaries, office supplies and equipment, janitorial supplies, repairs, accounting, and building insurance.
NARRATIVE BUDGET | 13
To invite and welcome friends, family, and strangers into our midst
$4,720 We commit to offering an account of the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15c). We will make gracious invitation to those with whom we are in relationship and offer genuine hospitality to those whom we do not yet know.
Whether it is by warmly greeting a stranger at the door, offering more information about Mass on the website, sending an email invitation to a special event, organizing a field trip, or coming to a newcomers’ dinner, St. James’ is committed to welcoming and encouraging newcomers to become at home and become informed about the grace-filled life that brings us here. Welcome happens at several points. Expenses include website and email development, promotional printing, food, and resources for the Narthex Guild, the Stewardship Task force, the Joyful Noise and New Members ministry.
14 | NARRATIVE BUDGET
To deepen our life of prayer and worship
$84, 750 We commit to developing inquiring and discerning hearts and minds through following a rule of life.
Worship is at the heart of our communal life which is supported through the work of the liturgical guilds. St. James’ liturgies seek to glorify God with all the senses, especially through music and care of the sanctuary. The music ministry expenses include the Organist and Choirmaster, the section leaders of the choir, and musical resources. Our life of prayer and worship is also enhanced by guest preachers and retreats.
NARRATIVE BUDGET | 15
To develop relationships among parishioners in open, honest and spiritual ways through discipleship formation
$1,900 We commit to discovering Christ in one another and encouraging one another to grow up into the fullness of Christ.
All parishioners from children to the elderly contribute to and participate in the body of Christ. Educational resources, such as Sunday School curriculum, a Vacation Bible School program, and library books guide us in the way of discipleship. The wisdom and reflection shared through the pages of our quarterly review PAX build our common life and help us to share our journeys with one another.
16 | NARRATIVE BUDGET
To develop relationships with our neighbours, principally through support for the Street Outreach Initiative and the Saint James Music Academy
$25,000 We commit with humility to a focused outreach, whilst remaining open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit for new ministry opportunities.
The Street Outreach Initiative places an Anglican priest on the streets of St. James’ Parish, the Downtown Eastside, to provide pastoral care to the many marginalized persons who live there. The model for this Outreach is relational, rather than service providing. The Street Outreach Initiative is funded by three partners, St. James’ Anglican Church, the Diocese of New Westminster and private philanthropists. We have committed $25,000 to its costs for 2010. The Saint James Music Academy, to whom we offer space, is an independent non-profit society, which gives young people the opportunity to explore their creative potential, gain self-confidence, get an academic head start, and develop good relationships through a music education accessible to low income families.
NARRATIVE BUDGET | 17
To develop relationships with local Christian churches by ecumenical worship and work
$0 We commit to living into Jesus’ prayer that all the disciples of Christ may be one and recognizing that this is an imperative of the Gospel. Intentionally, we seek every opportunity to work and worship with our neighbouring churches, so that it might be said again: Look, see how they love one another (Tertullian, Apol.37).
Through guest preaching, shared contemplative prayer, worship, study, and person-to-person relationships, we are discerning and building foundations for growth in visible unity.
18 | NARRATIVE BUDGET
To pursue justice for the imparting of the Kingdom of God within and beyond the parish
$500 With the support of the St. James’ Social Justice Group, we cooperate and join with others for the social good in our neighbourhood. The group sees the importance of cooperation in our pursuits of justice through effective community organizing and are working with other likeminded organizations in founding Metro Vancouver Alliance, a broad-based community alliance for social change. The Outreach Committee fund exists to take care of small individual grants for one-time or limited term projects within the Parish, or the local community, or abroad in the national or international church.
NARRATIVE BUDGET | 19
Clergy
$157,350 Priests are called to work as pastors, priests, and teachers together with the bishop and fellow clergy. Priests proclaim by word and deed the gospel of Jesus Christ. Priests are called to love and serve the people among whom they work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. They are to preach, declare God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, pronounce God’s blessing, preside at the administration of holy baptism and at the celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s body and blood, and to perform other ministrations. Priests nourish Christ’s people from the riches of His grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.
20 | NARRATIVE BUDGET
Diocesan Apportionment
$124, 699 What is the Diocesan Apportionment, and where does it go? It is a portion of the parish’s annual revenues that is allocated and paid to the Diocese for Diocesan administration and programs. How is it assessed? It is calculated based on the three income streams that fund the Parish (contributions and donations, investment income, and capital depletion). It is based on a three year averaging formula, which is currently assessed at 17.65% plus 1.67% (Growth Fund Assessment) = 19.32%. What the Apportionment looks like for 2010: D A on c a pi t a l d e p l e t i o n, 3 7 , 6 8 7
I nc om e f r o m d on a t i on s, 2 0 5 , 5 5 0 C a pi t a l D e p l e t i o n, 19 5 , 0 6 9
D A on do na t i o n s, 3 9 , 7 12 D A o n i nc om e , 4 4 , 4 3 6
I n v e st m e nt i nc om e , 230,000
NARRATIVE BUDGET | 21
PLANNING TOOLS
22 | PLANNING TOOLS
Income & Expenditure: an historical overview
Historical Overview 1,000,000 900,000 800,000 700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000 0 2001
2002
2003
Operating Revenues
2001
2004
2005
2006
2007
Operating Expenses
2002
2003
2004
2005
2008
2009*
Diocesan Apportionment paid
2006
2007
2008
2009*
Operating Revenues
284,431 252,719 311,587 296,651 301,830 311,721 289,911 294,216 201,550
Operating Expenses
457,754 475,091 423,417 444,253 448,619 603,484 639,963 770,465 555,908
Diocesan Apportionment paid Total Capital Funds
51,792
57,432
61,728
64,716
63,177
87,696
87,696
96,432 104,412
4,008,537 3,718,342 3,844,875 4,543,692 5,490,175 5,726,483 5,544,098 4,487,023 4,602,158
PLANNING TOOLS | 23
Income & Expenditure: today
We currently have two hundred regular weekly donors. The average weekly donation per donor is $17.31. St. James’ Church spends $63.17 per week per weekly donor. To balance the budget at a weekly donation of $17.31 the Church would have to increase the number of weekly donors from 200 to 464. To balance the budget and maintain the number of weekly donors at 200, each weekly donor would have to raise his/her weekly donation by $46.00. At the current rate of expenditure, the depletion of the Trust Funds will become inevitable within 5 years (earnings will not be able to support expenditures.). At the current rate of donations, earnings and expenditures, the Trust Funds will be exhausted by 2025 (16 years). As of September 30, 2009, the consolidated Trust Funds available to St. James’ Church total $4,602,158.
24 | PLANNING TOOLS
Expected Income: 2010
Budget 2010 INCOME
Envelopes
Capital Depletion
Special Offerings Open Offerings Columbarium Rental Income Investment Income
Music Academy
The pie charts on pages 25-26 are taken from the Parish budget approved by the Board of Trustees on November 24, 2009. Please obtain a copy for the exact figures. PLANNING TOOLS | 25
Expected Expenditure: 2010
Budget 2010 EXPENSES
Advertising and Archives
Computer
Diocesan Apportionment Repairs Clergy Salaries & Benefits Light & Power
Music Director Salary & Benefits
Janitorial Supplies Building Managers Salary & Benefits
Musicians, Repairs, Supplies Office Expenses, Telephone, Lease
Altar Supplies
Property Taxes
Internal Ministries/SOI Insurance
Office Salaries & Benefits
26 | PLANNING TOOLS
Accounting & Legal
Principles for budget making
The 2001 Rolfe Benson Report recommended that during November the Board of Trustees approve a budget for the following year. The Treasurer compiles the budget during the Fall through seeking budgetary requests from the Guilds and Ministries of the Parish and with the assistance of the Finance Committee which functions as an advisory body. In view of our current financial situation as described on the previous pages, the Trustees constructed the 2010 budget according to these guidelines: - Decision making is informed and guided by the Vision statement and Mission objectives. - No increases from the 2009 budget. - Decreases cannot wait for another year and when made must have a clear rationale. Copies of the 2010 Parish Budget are available from the Parish Office upon request.
PLANNING TOOLS | 27
Financial Plan
The Trustees have made a commitment to develop a financial plan which will include: - working with the Finance Committee to undertake an extensive review of all budget categories, and implement changes, during 2010. - a balanced budget by 2012. - increasing the investment portfolio. - resourcing ourselves with the “asset-based approach� as a tool to focus on utilizing the financial resources and energy in the Parish, rather than focus on what we no longer have. - presenting a motion to the 2010 Annual Vestry Meeting in March which will move that the Parish Trust Funds be moved to the Foundation.
28 | PLANNING TOOLS
Asset-Based Planning: Gifts in Action
The community of God’s people at St. James’ is facing hard choices. We have unending needs that are beginning to wear us down. As we list our needs to one another, again and again, we are in danger of becoming trapped in the default and demoralizing mode of thinking that characterizes our materialist and consumer-driven society. God does not call us to this kind of living. God’s Holy Spirit of Wisdom calls us to shift our attention away from not having enough, to intentionally and prayerfully place our attention on the abundance of God’s gifts, generosity, and unconditional love for us. In an amazing turn of events, the more we remember God’s promises to us as a community of faith, the more we remember the good we are seeking to accomplish together, the more we become able to see and sense the bountiful abilities, gifts and assets that God has given us to accomplish what God has in mind for us at St. James’ in this particular moment in history, which may look quite different from our current configuration.
PLANNING TOOLS | 29
We have sufficient God-given assets to the point of abundant sufficiency appropriate to our needs. When we finally accept “enough,” we will be freed from the grim and soul-weakening treadmill of seeking “more.” We need to explore the assets we see in one another, to honour and affirm one another, knowing that our assets have been given to us by God to equip us to fulfill God’s purposes for us. We need to think broadly and freely, with creativity and vision, beyond the borders and limits of our church structure. What are you good at doing? What do you enjoy doing? What are you passionate about? What do you have that’s useful? We need to move on to asset mapping in which we collect and organise individual assets, group assets and community assets in a coherent, visible map of our collected capabilities. In tandem with relationship building and gathering the community, we are then ready to move on to our final task – leveraging the assets and capabilities of all who have gathered towards our vision and goals – discovering, dislodging, developing, and disseminating our assets, using them efficiently and in effective combinations. As we walk into our new God-given challenge, scripture assures us that God has equipped us for the work of ministry in our midst, in our neighbourhood, and in the world. And so, we are ready, able and willing to walk into God’s transforming pathway of abundance and conversion. Adapted from The Great Permission: An Asset-Based Field Guide for Congregations, by Bob Sitze. 30 | PLANNING TOOLS
St. James’ Parish Foundation
Saint James’ Parish Foundation has now been incorporated (November 5, 2009, #S0055880), and has received its Charitable Status from the Canada Revenue Agency (October 1, 2009, #83560 3655 RR0001). The aim of the Foundation is to provide long-term financial support for the Church and the Parish. The purposes of the Foundation are outlined in Section 2 of its Constitution: -To relieve poverty through charitable means including the provision of food, shelter and other basic amenities to persons of low income; -To advance and promote the religious tenets, teachings and observances of the Anglican Church of Canada; -To take such steps as may from time to time be deemed expedient for the purpose of procuring contributions to the funds of the Society, in the form of donations, legacies or otherwise, and to hold, invest, and administer such funds for the purposes of the Society; and -To gift funds to qualified donees as defined in subsection 149.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). For many years it has been acknowledged that a foundation could be of great benefit to the Parish in order to attract and administer donations. Many donors prefer to bequeath monies to foundations because of the fiscal oversight and protection offered by Government regulations. Unlike the old St. James’ Parish Foundation, which was a foundation in name only, the new St. James’ Parish Foundation is a fully registered and functional foundation, ready to play its part in the life of our Church and Parish.
PLANNING TOOLS | 31
And how can the Foundation contribute to the life of our Church and Parish? It can attract donations from many sources that were previously closed to us. The Foundation has already attracted funds from donations and bequests, as well as corporate shares from another donor. This share transfer was enabled by the Foundation status. Thus, in its first few months of operations the Foundation has been able to attract almost $200,000. The income from these funds will go to the benefit of St. James’ Church. Donating monies to the Foundation, and specifying their use for the benefit of St. James’ Church can also be a benefit to both the donor and the Church. There are added tax advantages to donating to a foundation, and the Church can receive the benefit with a lesser burden of apportionment and other fees and costs. There may also be an advantage to transferring the St. Luke’s properties to the Foundation. These properties would remain identified as St. Luke’s, but would be administered by the Foundation as an asset of the Parish. The Board of the Foundation is currently looking into the advantages of this and will make a recommendation in 2010. The Foundation is actively seeking ways to raise funds for the support of the programs of St. James’ Church; by assisting in fundraising activities, creating an active program of Planned Giving, providing Financial Management of Parish Resources with a view to maximizing the value of these resources to the Parish and building a network of supporters through its ‘Friends of St. James’. We have much to be thankful for at St. James’, and the St. James’ Parish Foundation will play an important role in the preservation and growth of our many gifts. 32 | PLANNING TOOLS
Diocesan Strategic Plan 2018
VISION
“Growing Communities of Faith in Jesus Christ to Serve God’s Mission in the World” is the vision of our Diocese of new Westminster. Our Diocese has identified these priorities for the next decade which stand before the Diocesan family of parishes as signposts:
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Nurturing Spiritual Journeys • Support people in their personal spiritual development and open the doors to spiritual seekers who do not identify themselves as Christians. • Develop a wide and inclusive approach to encounter and know God, including spiritual development through connection with nature, exploring spirituality in other faiths, understanding spirituality in our West Coast context, and developing a deep prayer life. Supporting Christian Education • Enhance understanding of the Christian faith and explore what it means to be Christian. • Develop Christian education opportunities that would bring people together to learn and to grow in community. Deepening Anglican Understanding • Learn more about Anglican tradition, theology, worship, practices and how the Canadian Anglican church is structured and funded. • Help people in their personal faith journey as Anglicans and to understand the questions facing the church today. Renewing Our Worship • Make Anglican worship relevant to people of all ages, at all life stages and from diverse communities. • Create new, more inclusive approaches to worship while maintaining and respecting the Anglican tradition. PLANNING TOOLS | 33
Caring for God’s Earth • Address environmental issues. • Engage in and initiate environmental action. • Support environmental concerns. Nurturing the Parish Community • Nurture the parish community to ensure sustainability. • Welcome new people, re-engage those who do not attend regularly, and continuing to engage those who are involved in parish life. • Recognize and support a range of parish models, both large and small, within the diocese. Building a Community of Parishes • Build stronger relationships between parishes, the Synod office, and the wider national and international structures. • Develop the environment of sharing, support, education, partnership and communication throughout the diocese. Participating in Local Communities • Parishes, as active participants in the local community, engage in initiatives and partnerships that bring to life the social mission of the church. • Learn about their communities: the demographics (e.g. cultural, linguistic and age composition); the organizations at work there; and the specific issues, concerns and needs that exist. • Parishes and Diocese to contribute to community life here and in the wider church.
34 | PLANNING TOOLS
Cultivating Interfaith Understanding • Foster interfaith relationships and create opportunities to encourage interfaith dialogue. • Work toward greater harmony, respect and understanding among different faith groups. Addressing Issues of Poverty • Address the issues of poverty, homelessness, and addictions/mental health. • Act in partnership with other organizations and groups in the community. • Engage in direct service delivery. • Increase awareness and understanding of the issues. VITAL AND SUSTAINABLE PARISH MINISTRY
The Diocese of New Westminster is committed to vital and sustainable parish ministry. Vitality has to do with the qualitative aspects of parish and congregational life. This is a view which approaches parish ministry from the standpoint of missional objectives, the purpose of our existence as a church. Sustainability has to do with the quantitative aspects of what is necessary for parish and congregational life. It has to do with an organizational view which views parish ministry from a statistical approach such as numbers in the pews and dollars in the plate.
PLANNING TOOLS | 35
VITAL
A parish or grouping of parishes may be deemed to be ‘vital’ when it has these characteristics: • The activities of the parish ministry make a discernable difference in the lives of individual parishioners and in lives in the community which it serves. Lives are being transformed. • The parish is mission-focused, paying attention to the needs of the surrounding community. It asks, “What is our purpose as church in this place and time?” and responds to where God is calling. • The parish is equipped for the work of change and renewal, and invites others on the journey. • The parish priorities are outward looking, and in line with diocesan priorities.
SUSTAINABLE
A parish or grouping of parishes may be deemed to be ‘sustainable’ when it has, and is able to maintain, the following: • Lay leadership – a group with the skills and resources necessary to manage actively the property and programs of the parish, with enough critical mass (numbers and energy) to allow for rotation and rest. • Ordained leadership – at least one full-time stipendiary priest with adequate time and skill to provide the pastoral, sacramental, and liturgical leadership necessary… Where deacons are part of the ordained ministry team they provide an important and integral role in ministry. • Vision and resources to meet the needs of the community the parish serves. This includes the people to deliver the ministry and outreach. • A sound financial situation – primarily through the free will offering of the congregants. Additional income may come from endowments and rental, but usually must be supplementary to giving. If a mortgage or debt exists, it is being paid down in a predictable and acceptable rate.
36 | PLANNING TOOLS
• Sufficient income to pay the expenses of the priest, engage in intentional mission and outreach, and maintain its buildings in good condition. • Does not deplete its capital reserves or capital assets for operating costs. In order for parishes and congregations to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of those they touch they need to be both vital and sustainable. THE MINISTRY ASSESSMENT PROCESS (MAP)
The Ministry Assessment Process (MAP) is a strategic planning process. It guides parishes in discerning how they are called to current and future ministry and how best to use their resources, including property and buildings for this ministry. Through MAP, parishes engage in a detailed examination of their values, their passions, their mission, as well as their facilities, property and other resources. They are also encouraged to engage and partner with the surrounding community to address local needs (including social justice, cultural and spiritual). MAP provides the opportunity for parishes to bridge their values and passions with the Diocesan Strategic Priorities, transforming them into action at the parish, regional and diocesan level. In this way MAP has become an integral part of the Diocesan Strategic Plan. It is expected that by 2013 all parishes that are in the diocese will have participated in MAP, most as part of a regional MAP and some as individual initiatives. Full details of these diocesan resources can be found at www.vancouver.anglican.ca PLANNING TOOLS | 37
NEXT STEPS
Abundance & Conversion: Choices & Commitment
ACTION POINTS
Every parishioner is now being asked to make a commitment to: - help the Parish achieve a balanced budget by 2012 at the latest; - become informed about our current circumstances; - contribute to the conversation; - uphold our Parish in prayer with faith, hope and love.
PARISH COUNCIL
FOR PRAYERFUL REFLECTION & DISCUSSION
The Trustees are committed to work with the Parish Council as the principal forum through which direction is sought as the Parish takes the next steps.
1) Consider your attitude toward your personal resources and budgeting. Do you think the same way about Church resources and budgeting? What would you suggest or change? 2) What revenue-generating ideas do you have? Perhaps your experience/skill set/interest and commitment to St James's allows you personally to head up the development of some unique and promising money-making suggestion. If so, which of those ideas would you be willing to work on or to lead? 3) How would you allocate the sum of our operating revenues and investment income of $430,000 across the seven areas of mission (See mission objectives pages 13-19). Would you change the mission objectives knowing of this sum? If yes, which one and why? NEXT STEPS | 39
OUR VISION: Discovering the beauty of holiness in our lives and neighbourhood, by living a Christcentred sacramental life rooted in the Anglo-Catholic tradition.
303 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1L4 Telephone: 604-685-2532 Email: office@stjames.bc.ca
www.stjames.bc.ca