* FINAL VERSION - Concurred

Resolution B011

Title:   Special Missionary Initiative

Topic:   Evangelism

Committee:   Evangelism

House of Initial Action:   Deputies

Proposer:   The Rt. Rev. Duncan Montgomery Gray III (Mississippi)

Resolved, That the Presiding Officers, Executive Council, and staff of the Episcopal Church Center, the standing committees of the Church, the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund and the Church Pension Group, in coordination with the Bishop of and Diocese of Louisiana develop a strategy for a model missionary initiative, including both evangelism and service, for the Lake Pontchatrain Basin Area (New Orleans, North and East Shore), to support overall church evangelism and the 20/20 goals, while providing a model and a test-bed for organization in areas of natural disaster or economic impoverishment; and be it further
Resolved, That the office of Mission at the Episcopal Church Center develop a recommended structure and a timeline for implementation of said strategy. The initiative should consider: organization and methods, identification of resources, periodic sharing of progress and lessons-learned; it should also consider relief and development projects, leadership formation and training for personal and congregational evangelism and service with the diverse populations of the region. The officers, council and staff shall recommend quantitative measures of accountability for mission performance; and be it further
Resolved, That the Church Center head of Mission  report the findings and recommendations of this initiative to the Executive Council annually at the Council’s third meeting each calendar year, beginning in 2007 for one triennium; and be it further
Resolved, That every diocese and congregation be encouraged to participate in this endeavor by supplying mission teams to enable implementation of this Special Missionary Initiative; and be it further
Resolved, That all Convention, Church, and Executive Council offices and agencies plan a portion of their budget to support this initiative in the next Triennium; and further, that the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance consider a budget allocation of $100,000.00 per annum to provide an officer to be based in Louisiana for three years to coordinate implementation of this initiative.


EXPLANATION

The recent tragic events surrounding the landfall of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have produced tragic consequences for the people and churches in Louisiana, Mississippi, and the Central Gulf Coast.  Recovery and renewal is occurring throughout the region.  Particularly devastated was the region surrounding the Lake Pontchatrain Basin in Louisiana.  Thousands of acres of homes, businesses, churches, and whole communities were devastated and remain in ruins.  Among them are impoverished minority neighborhoods and people without great resources.  Responding in the spirit of the risen Lord, the body of Christ, neighbors and churches from throughout the region and the world have shown the possibility of a wonderful opportunity to serve and spread the good news of Jesus Christ to these peoples who in the midst of  hardship and pain have expressed a unique renewal in their lives.  This particular situation provides our church a unique and one time opportunity for mission to expand the Church and learn how to minister in these times, and to peoples in crisis and rebuilding.  The presence of large numbers of poor and Hispanic immigrants adds to the opportunity.  In the spirit of ecumenism and renewed mission spirit, the development of a special directed and focus missionary initiative in the spirit of a special missionary area would best serve the needs of the region and assist the church in developing and learning how to spread the gospel in these circumstances.


* The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 75th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.