Polity embodies theology Thoughts on per capita

Theological Truth: One Church, interdependent Polity Expression: Per capita assessment

Per Capita Assessments Not a “head tax” Not “membership dues” Expresses covenantal life in ministry Connects us to wider church

Exodus 30:14-16: The “half-shekel” 1. All give 2. Rich not more, poor not less 3. For the work of the tent of meeting

Book of Order, 3.0106: A way upper councils partly fund expenses Presbytery must pay to Synod, General Assembly Presbytery may assess Sessions (ours does) (Sessions may assess congregants)

The Wider Church: Synod Seven Presbyteries Around 250 congregations; 70,000 members From the Mexican border to San Luis Obispo From Hawaii to the Arizonan border 2018 Per capita: $2.85

The Wider Church: General Assembly 11,000 congregations 170 presbyteries 16 synods 1.6M members 2018 Per capita: $7.73

Total Per Capita for 2018 (Proposed) Presbytery: $22.00 Synod: $2.85 General Assembly: $7.73 Total Per capita: $32.58

Where does it go? Presbytery: Single budget, three sources: Voluntary Mission Giving Investment Income Per Capita Assessments

Where does it go? Presbytery: Management of Quarterly Meetings Oversight and Guidance of Pastors Oversight of Congregations Preparation for Ministry New Ministry Initiatives

Where does it go? Synod: Oversight of Presbyteries (Judicial and Administrative)

Where doesn’t it go? Synod: Mission Projects: Only multi-presbytery endeavors, funded by endowment income

Where does it go? Office of the General Assembly: National Meetings (about $2.7M per mtg) Judicial and Administrative Oversight Ecumenical Efforts Legal Advice and Counsel Leadership Training Historical Archives Support for Pastoral Call Searches (PNCs) Preparation for Ministry Support

Where doesn’t it go? Medical Benefits (Board of Pensions) Endowment Management (Foundation) Building Loans (PILP) Most Books (Publishing Corporation) … And

Where doesn’t it go? Most of: Missions, Education, Curriculum, Disaster Assistance, Youth Programs, Political/Social Advocacy, Worship Materials, Evangelism, New Worshiping Communities (Presbyterian Mission Agency)

A Word About Withholding

For Further Reading: http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ecclesial-and-ecumenical-ministries/per-capita/resources/ http://oga.pcusa.org/section/departments/per-capita/ Portions of this presentation have been adapted from the above websites and from the PCUSA’s own Powerpoint presentation on the subject. This presentation was developed to specifically address the context of Los Ranchos Presbytery; certain statements may not apply elsewhere. © 2017 Forrest Claassen, Co-Executive and Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Los Ranchos, Presbyterian Church (USA).