The Offer System 2015 Responses to Requests Ministry and Mission Support in the Diocese of Rochester

In Summary Estimated DBF Income 2014 (Parish Share and Stipends)£9,255,200 Budgeted Requirement 2015£9,971,025 Offers Received as at 13 March£8,921,900 Estimated Final Offer Figure£9,100,000 Number of Benefices186 Offers Still to Come4 Number of Benefices Increasing Offer over (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