The Offer System 2015

Responses to Requests

Ministry and Mission Support in the Diocese of Rochester

www.rochester.anglican.org

In Summary

Estimated DBF Income 2014 (Parish Share and Stipends) £9,255,200Budgeted Requirement 2015 £9,971,025

Offers Received as at 13 March £8,921,900

Estimated Final Offer Figure £9,100,000

Number of Benefices 186

Offers Still to Come 4

Number of Benefices Increasing Offer over 2014

103 (56%)

Comments

• Is the glass half empty or half full?

• It appears we are below what we might require (half empty),

• but, we have never had such information at such an early stage in the year (half full)

• Planning for the rest of the year can now happen

• Perhaps this illustrates we have been over-stretching ourselves for a number of years

Comments Continued

• A lot of support for the new method

• Some folk appear unaware of the changes and still referring to ‘stipend’ and ‘parish share’

• Likewise a lack of understanding over the cost of a priest as being £48,000

• Some deaneries are being very transparent

• Two parishes with training curates are continuing to (generously) meet those costs

Comments Continued

• Parishes in vacancy have cut their contribution ‘as there is a saving in the stipend’

• • Many ‘offers’ only increased the ‘stipend’ element,

not the ministry support element

• Some parishes appear to be using the change as an opportunity to reduce parish costs and avoid deficits

• Further clarity is required over the housing cost ‘rebate’ where a parish use their house to accommodate a priest/curate

• Likewise the position of DBF fees needs to be clarified for 2016

Comments Continued

• Parishes in vacancy have cut their contribution ‘as there is a saving in the stipend’

• • Many ‘offers’ only increased the ‘stipend’ element,

not the ministry support element

• Some parishes appear to be using the change as an opportunity to reduce parish costs and avoid deficits

• Further clarity is required over the housing cost ‘rebate’ where a parish use their house to accommodate a priest/curate

• Likewise the position of DBF fees needs to be clarified for 2016

For the Future

• Early consultation with parishes is essential

• Further clarity is required over the housing cost ‘rebate’ where a parish use their house to accommodate a priest/curate

• Likewise the position of DBF fees needs to be clarified for 2016