Members of Diocesan Council, the Corporation Board, the Standing Committee and the Assisting Bishop met on Thursday, December 1 to discuss the report of the Diocesan Funding Review Committee (DFRC).  More than 30 elected leaders were present, representing clergy and laity from major bodies, and from all geographical regions of the diocese. 

Members of the DFRC were thanked for the time, work, and research that went into their report to the major bodies.  Six members of the DFRC were present at this meeting, in their capacity as leaders on the Council, Corporation, and Standing Committee.   (The DFRC was formed by bringing together designated members from each of the diocese's major bodies.)

Extensive discussion followed, beginning with feedback from recent deanery meetings in all regions of the diocese.  During the discussion, the following questions were raised:

What is the mission of the diocese?  What is our vision for ministry?

How will these recommendations affect structure?

How will these recommendations affect missions?

Do we have enough information to make a recommendation?

What are our next steps?

Participants in this discussion agreed that the DFRC recommendations are worthy of careful consideration. Diocesan leaders are now looking at the broad implications of the recommendations, recognizing that significant information and planning are required before recommending the implementation of major changes for the diocese.  All present then volunteered to serve on six sub-committees, each of which will raise questions framing further study of the following issues: 

·        The DFRC resolution's impact on future mission and ministry

·        Diocesan vision

·        Diocesan structure

·        Stewardship

·        Evangelism

·        Establishing a timeline for further study and bench-marking for funding changes.

Members of each sub-committee agreed to report back to the full committee on January 5, 2006.