DIOCESAN BUDGET MEETING September 30 th 2013 Parish Share Revision

What’s the problem…?? Problem Collection Rates Renegotiations Complex Formula “Tax”; Unpopular Key Data not headlined

options… Ministry Costs Calculation O Parish Resources Calculation Parish Offering

A Way Forward: A Parish Offering system based on informed generosity

“Isn’t it risky to rely on generosity?” Generosity is a key Gospel virtue We can minimise risk by using last year’s contribution as the base-line guide Growth-target is requested Some already renegotiate their Share to a level they feel they can offer It will hopefully change the culture surrounding Parish Share

“Guided” Offering, where… A = Cost of Ministry and Central Support B = National Church Grant (where applicable) C = Last Year’s Contribution D = Help needed from other Parishes (A – B – C = D) …Please tell us what you can offer using C as minimum and reduction of D as aim.

Each line will encourage/inform: A : Real Costs B : National Support C : Performance last year D : Generosity of others in the Diocese

At a glance… MINISTRY AND SUPPORT COSTS OF BENEFICE CENTRAL FUND SUPPORT LAST YEAR’S OFFERING WHAT OTHER PARISHES IN THE DIOCESE ARE PAYING ON YOUR BEHALF Please let us know what you will offer next year, aiming to reduce this gap if possible...

An Encouraging Request Letter “ABCD” Equation; Ministry/Support Costs itemised Net-Giving or Net-Receiving letter Addressed to the Benefice Individual long term circumstances noted (e.g. a Self Supporting Minister, LEP, etc)

Value (1) CLARITY MINISTRY AND DIOCESAN SUPPORT COSTS, itemising in round figures LAST YEAR’S OFFERING, we would not expect less than this baseline NATIONAL FUND SUPPORT, if any, based on national index

Value (2) REALITY REAL COSTS OF MINISTRY, and how these are broken down SUPPORT FROM NATIONAL CHURCH SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM OTHER PARISHES within the Diocese

Value (3) GENEROSITY BY THANKING THEM FOR//APPEALING TO THEIR GENEROSITY BY GIVING EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE MISSION AND GROWTH

Value (4) MUTUALITY BY MAKING THINGS REALLY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THEY GIVE/RECEIVE BY SHOWING THAT THIS IS NOT A TAX BUT A SHARING IN MINISTRY

Biblical Basis… “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time, your plenty will supply their need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need...As it is written: He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” (2 Cor. 8:13-15)

Itemised Costs on Request Letter. For f/t incumbent: Incumbent’s Annual Stipend£23,270 National Insurance£ 1,805 Pension Contribution£ 8,314 Housing & Training£11,370 Total f/t Minister Cost£44,759 Parish Central Support£12,898 ( we will give rounded figures) Total Cost£57,657 This becomes “Item A” in the Guided Offering Tool

Questions FEES? - no deduction will be made in the Ministry Costs estimate RENTED PARSONAGES? – no deduction will be made in respect of rents received from the Diocese NATIONAL GRANTS? – we will use the National index for each parish and award accordingly

A WHOLE NEW MODEL This is not a “formula” The figures are a guide to mutual generosity in a shared mission The appeal is about sharing: “how much can we give,” not, “how little can we get away with…”

A NEW NAME “Common Fund” The Sheffield Diocese is one family with one shared budget for one mission to people from Bradfield to Adlingfleet, Tankersley to Tickhill, to glorify the one Saviour, Jesus Christ It’s about all pulling together

Onward Process July – Diocesan Synod September – Bishop’s Council October – Churchwardens’ Conference November – Diocesan Synod January – Web Site + further Communications) Feb-March – Road-testing details April/May – Request Letters sent July – Deadline for Parish Responses