An Austerity Budget?

Posted on by bishopleath

The $5m Austerity Budget amounts to a diversion of 33% of the current budget for restoration.  Note that anything more than a 33% reallocation would make our Zion unfunctional and almost unrecognizable.  The picture below is so gruesome, it may help make the case for a 33% increase to the budget for the sake of restoration. This is a large, bitter pill to swallow. 

Despite the tears and protests, it could work. This could be God’s way of helping us reset our budget priorities and administrative strategies.

Obviously, these are round projections as I lack the resources available to The Finance Department. This is a reflection starter, not a final proposal.

$5 million AUSTERITY BUDGET for RESTORATION OF ANNUITY FUNDS

  1. Right Size the Budget for Equity.[1]
  2. Reduce the budget of Districts 1-13 by $100k each.  This adds $1.3+ to the Budget which will be removed in the next point.
  3. Require Districts 1-13 to provide full compensation for their episcopal leadership.[2]
  4. Global Development Funding Cut 100% (currently $280,182)
  5. Lay Organization reduced to $60k (currently $194,962)
  6. Women’s Missionary Society reduced to $60k (currently $314,065)
  7. Colleges (Districts 1-13) no allocation. No change to seminaries (reduction of $1,841,196)
  8. Extended Budget in Education (Districts 1-13) no allocation (reduction of $112,479)
  9. Episcopal District Projects cut 100% (currently $130,537) 
  10. SADA reduce by 50% (net reduction $280,667)
  11. Research & Scholarship, Christian Education, Church Growth & Development, Global Witness & Ministry[3] reduce by 50% (total net $828,894)[4]
  12. Sunday School Union and Christian Recorder reduced 100% (net $228,459)
  13. Interdenominational Fund reduce 50% (net $85,212)
  14. Savings:  $5,515,275/year

[1] In the current budget, 3 Districts are grossly underbudgeted as 3 Districts are grossly overbudgeted.  Past adjustments to the 8th and the 12th Districts were warranted, but no consideration was given to the 3rd, 13th and 10th.  While the 4th & 5th may be distressed, there is no data to support a better allocation. For the sake of this presentation, we propose a reduction of $100,000 per year to those three districts and an increase of the same amount to the 6th, 7th and 11th districts.

[2] This makes the $100k cut neutral.  With Districts providing full compensation, it will help us better understand, and address, the inequities as it encourages a new age of transparency and accountability for the leaders of the more generous districts.

[3] Except for $106,736 allocated for stipends.

[4] These General Officers, who are not already bi-vocational, could be given pastoral/presiding elder appointments.

2 thoughts on “An Austerity Budget?”

  1. I am not sure what you are seeing on paper but the churches in District 6 are not in a position to support a $100,000 increase. There are too many who are struggling with present financial obligations and are in desperate need of repairs.
    Peace!

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    1. Thanks for commenting! There will be many who will agree with you from the 6th, 7th, and 11th. But there are also many in the 3rd, 10th and 13th who have been carrying “more than their fair share.” Perhaps the issue in these districts is not “raising more,” but how they are spending/gifting what they raise. Look at the membership/budget data. Then, tell me what looks fair to you. (Data was posted in AMEs for Reform)

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