by Canon Alice Clayton

In an effort to provide a more equitable method for funding the annual diocesan budget, the Bishop and Council adopted a new formula for figuring voluntary asking at its Sept. 10 meeting in Knoxville.

The new method will actually ask for less money, Henry Lodge, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, pointed out, but will be more fair to growing parishes.

“Under the current asking, once a parish’s general purpose income goes to $150,000 and a penny, we ask for 14 percent of everything. As parishes move up the ladder in size and budget, when they get to a couple of points they really get hit hard. Suddenly we’re asking them to pay 14 percent of virtually the same operating income as last year,” explained Lodge. “That’s been a concern.”

In the new method—as well as the old method—churches with a general purpose income up to $150,000 would be asked to give 11 percent of that total. However, churches with a general purpose income of more than $150,000 would pay 11 percent on the first $150,000 and then 16 percent on income up to $400,000. Churches with income over $400,000 would pay 18.25 percent on the amount over $400,000.

“I’m grateful to the Budget and Finance Committee for their work. I challenged them to come up with a way for all churches with income above $150,000 to see their percentage reduced. I think it’s a fair situation. It’s also a situation that says clearly we’re listening to some of the criticisms we have had. I’m satisfied that even though there is a risk, it’s a risk worth taking,” Bishop Charles vonRosenberg said.

Under the newly adopted formula, $1.483 million could be raised for diocesan program and ministry if churches give 100 percent of their asking.

“I want to emphasize that 100 percent will allow this diocese to do some wonderful things and 100 percent is what we need,” Lodge said. We’re expecting miracles.”

Following some discussion, the motion to adopt the new formula was passed unanimously. Lodge also announced that budget workshops will be conducted across the diocese in January. Don Sproles, diocesan treasurer, announced that the new asking formula would be discussed at the Diocesan Leadership Day on Oct. 16 at Church of the Good Samaritan, Knoxville.

In other business, the B&C approved the sale of the St. Mark’s vicarage in Copperhill and heard a report from the Mission Strategy Task Force.

“I want to emphasize that 100% will allow this diocese to do some wonderful things and 100% is what we need.”
Henry Lodge