During the session the following questions were asked under business rule 6.3
1. Dissemination of Doctrine Commission report
The Rev Canon Dr James McPherson asked -
In the light of resolution 1/99 regarding the important issues raised by the 1999 Sydney Doctrine Commission Report, resolving that it be disseminated to members of the public, will the Archbishop please advise the Synod -
(a) Whether courtesy copies of the report were sent to -
(i) the General Synod Doctrine Commission?
(ii) the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia and/or any other Primates of the Anglican Communion?
(iii) the Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia and/or any other bishops of the Anglican Communion?
(iv) the Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission or any of its predecessors established under the auspices of the Anglican Communion?
(b) If any of the above responded to the content and findings of the report?
(c) What issues were raised in their responses?
To which the President replied -
I am advised that the answers are as follows -
Synod resolution 1/99 provided for a report, "The Doctrine of the Trinity" to be printed and made available for distribution to members of the public at a reasonable cost. In its report to the Synod in 2000, the Standing Committee advised that the report had not been printed but could at that time be found on the internet at www.anglicanmediasydney.asn.au/doc/trinity/html. In fact, the report is printed in the 2000 Diocesan Year Book (from page 538).
In response to the specific questions asked the answers are -
(a) Copies of the Diocesan Year Book, containing the report, were sent to the Primate and to Bishops of the Anglican Church of Australia. There is no record of the report being provided to any of the bodies mentioned, although it was publicly available and could have been obtained by these bodies if they required a copy.
(b) I am not aware of any response.
(c) Not applicable.
Mrs Pamela Shaw asked -
At the beginning of the year a non-churchgoer, who I had just met, told me how impressed she was by the Boyer Lectures which created a very positive image of kind, caring Christianity. She said that this was not the picture that she gained from the media. What steps have been taken, or are planned to be taken, by the Sydney Diocese to capitalise on the positive image given by the Boyer Lectures so that we can draw back into the Church those who have left?
To which the President replied -
There are no specific plans to capitalise from this perception of the Boyer Lectures or the Boyer Lectures themselves. The book based on the lectures has now sold out and there are negotiations in progress for a possible re-print. The Lectures continue to open a number of opportunities for me to speak to a wider public audience.
3. Specialists in children's ministry
The Rev Ian Millican asked -
Can the Archbishop please advise how many students at Moore College and at Youthworks College are currently seeking to specialise in children's ministry and what steps are the Archbishop and the Bishops taking to increase this number?
To which the President replied -
I am informed that the answer is as follows -
There are currently 25 students in Youthworks College who intend to specialise in children's ministry.
It is not easy to obtain similar figures for Moore College students. There are certainly a number intending to specialise in either youth and or children's ministry, and it is thought that of those about 6 have a specific intention to specialise in children's ministry.
In Georges River Region for example, there is a pilot scheme in which students attend Youthworks College for part of the week and minister in their own parish for part of the week. These positions are subsidised by the Regional Council. Recruitment dinners are held regularly within the regions, and at these dinners the need for children's and youth workers is emphasised.
4. Archbishop's attendance at Sunday services
The Rev Ian Millican asked -
Can the Archbishop please advise at how many parishes in the Diocese he has attended Sunday services, during the last 3 years?
To which the President replied -
I take it that the question refers to separate parishes during a three year period. From 2003 to the end of 2005, the answer is 53.
Mr Warwick Olson AM asked -
The Standing Committee supplementary report advises the passing of an Ordinance to establish a Board to govern, manage and control the body corporate of Moore Theological College. How do the Trustees of Moore College fit into this change?
To which the President replied -
The question seeks a legal opinion and is therefore strictly out of order under business rule 6.3(4)(f). Nonetheless I am informed as follows -
The reference to the "Trustees of Moore College" is assumed to be a reference to the trustees of the will of Thomas Moore.
During 2006, the College applied to the New South Wales Department of Eduction and Training to have its degrees re-accredited. The review panel established by the Department to examine the College's submission indicated that the College would need to make certain changes to its governance arrangements. The necessary ordinance was passed by the Standing Committee on 25 September. The new ordinance establishes a body called the "Governing Board" to manage, govern and control the Council which is the owner of the College. The trustees remain ex officio members of the Council and are also ex officio members of the Governing Board.
6. Female deacons, diocesan lay workers and parish sisters
The Rev Denise Nicholls asked -
In the period 1996-2006 -
(a) How many women have been ordained deacon in the Diocese of Sydney (numbers for each year please)?
(b) How many of these deacons have been licensed by the Archbishop to preach?
(c) How many female diocesan lay workers (DLWs)/parish sisters have been commissioned?
(d) How many of these DLWs/parish sisters have been licensed to preach?
(e) Of these women (deacons and DLWs) how many are in active ministry in the Diocese of Sydney in 2006?
To which the President replied -
I am informed the answer is as follows -
|
(a) |
1996 |
4 |
|
|
1997 |
2 |
|
|
1998 |
1 |
|
|
2000 |
2 |
|
|
2003 |
4 |
|
|
2005 |
1 |
|
|
Total |
14 |
|
(b) |
14 |
|
(c) |
Diocesan Lay Workers |
12 |
|
|
Parish Sisters |
5 |
|
|
Total |
17 |
(d) All of those Diocesan Lay Workers and Parish Sisters who have requested to preach have been granted a licence. The numbers are -
|
|
Diocesan Lay Workers |
4 |
|
|
Parish Sisters |
3 |
|
|
Total |
7 |
|
(e) |
Deacons |
9 |
|
|
Diocesan Lay Workers |
8 |
|
|
Parish Sisters |
2 |
|
|
Total |
19 |
Ms Naomi Spencer asked -
(a) Has the diocesan administration considered the millions of dollars which could be made available for extending the work of the Diocesan Mission by claiming the exemptions available to religious institutions and religious practitioners under Tax Ruling 92/17 in relation to Income Tax and Fringe Benefits Tax?
(b) Would the Standing Committee consider how it could assist parishes to access the benefits available through the application of this Tax Ruling?
To which the President replied -
This question is out of order under business rule 6.3(4)(a) as it contains significant assertions and offers an argument. It also appears to rest on a misunderstanding.
Nonetheless I am informed that the Stipends and Allowances Committee and the Standing Committee consider the relevant tax exemptions referred to in Ruling TR92/17 in formulating their annual recommendations about stipends, allowances and benefits. Those recommendations are published annually. The Standing Committee considers that those recommendations reflect a principled approach to utilising the taxation exemptions available to the church in relation to the remuneration of ministry staff.
Mr Jody Trouncer asked -
Will the recently constituted Mission Board absorb the functions of the Policy 4 Committee and, if not, at what points will the functions of the two entities intersect?
To which the President replied -
In June 2006 the Mission Board confirmed that the Policy 4 Committee, which had been established by the Mission Taskforce in 2003 should continue its work under its present membership with the new name Ordinance Reform Group. Its work would form part of the responsibilities now being overseen by the Mission Board's Strategy Group 4.
The functions of the Policy 4 Committee will therefore continue to be exercised by the Ordinance Reform Group, acting under the control and direction of the Mission Board.
Mr Jody Trouncer asked -
Were the Mission Board, in the course of its work, to find itself acknowledging the possibility that current regulation and practice in the area of local parish governance was acting as an impediment to the successful outworking of the Diocesan Mission goal, would the Mission Board be prepared to commission a study of local parish governance, taking into account the far-reaching implications of such an exercise?
To which the President replied -
The Mission Board is alert to the possibility that current regulation and practice in the area of local parish governance may prove an impediment to the successful outworking of the Diocesan Mission goal.
In addition to a number of reforms designed to simplify and clarify aspects of local administration, including the bill for the Nominations Ordinance 2006 due to be considered by this session of the Synod, the Mission Board has also encouraged the Ordinance Reform Group to continue its work in bringing a bill to the 2007 session of the Synod to replace the Church Administration Ordinance 1990. It is intended that the new ordinance will bring church-based and consolidated parish forms of administration together under one ordinance, and be presented in a more logical format with explanatory notes to assist the reader.
The Mission Board and the Diocesan Research Committee have already identified a number of topics for further research relating to the administration and governance of parishes. In addition, as part of its extensive parish visitation program and regional seminars, the Parish Services division of the Secretariat has obtained comments from ministers and churchwardens in relation to things that represent roadblocks to effective local ministry. Where these concerns relate to issues of local parish governance this information is conveyed to the Mission Board.
If this feedback indicates a need for a more detailed review of local parish governance, the Mission Board will consider commissioning a specific study to investigate this matter.
Mrs Susan Hooke asked -
In the "Yellow Book" on page 16, the 2006 Report of Standing Committee states in 5.3 that it has received 3 applications for affiliation from independent evangelical churches.
(a) What are the names and addresses of the 3 applicants for affiliation?
(b) What are the approved benefits sought by each applicant?
(c) If an agreement has been made with any of the 3 applicants what are the terms of each agreement?
(d) What are the costs, or anticipated costs, of the benefits to be provided under each agreement?
(e) Was any provision made in any accounts of this Diocese for any of the costs relating to any of the above benefits?
(f) If provision was made in any accounts, identify the item?
(g) If no provision was made in the accounts, identify the source of the funding for any benefit granted?
To which the President replied -
I am informed that the answers are as follows -
(a) The procedure adopted by the Standing Committee for the purposes of affiliating churches under the Affiliated Churches Ordinance 2005 is set out at item 5.3 of the Standing Committee's 2006 Report to the Synod. Part of the process requires the Diocesan Secretary to notify the bishop of the diocese in which the church is situated of the proposed affiliation. This step has been included as a matter of courtesy to the relevant bishop to ensure he is the first to know before the information is made public.
Until we are in a position to notify the bishop of each dioceses in which the 3 applicant churches for affiliation are situated, I do not consider it appropriate to make public the names and addresses of the 3 applicants. In taking this approach, you will appreciate that we are not only seeking to show the appropriate level of courtesy to the relevant Anglican bishops but also seeking to ensure that those who are considering affiliation can do so on a confidential basis.
(b) The approved benefits will be made available to affiliated churches under a form of agreement approved by the Standing Committee in accordance with clause 5 of the Affiliated Churches Ordinance 2005. Although no agreements have yet been entered into, discussions with the applicants suggest there is a degree of interest in insurance cover and professional standards services.
(c) As indicated previously, no agreements have been entered into.
(d) Although no agreements have been entered into, the general approach will be to provide a basic level of assistance to affiliated churches at no cost. This will apply to basic services provided by the Secretariat (for example providing copies of circulars and other suitable information distributed to our parishes) and also assistance from the Professional Standards Unit in the area of child protection. Where any service involves a significant amount of time, a charge will be agreed with the affiliated church before the service is provided. In the area of insurance, any affiliate which is accepted as part of the diocesan insurance program will be required to pay an appropriate premium before being included in the program.
(e) No.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) As previously indicated, any significant cost will be funded by the affiliated church itself.
11. ORAF and OMF
Associate Professor Alan Watson asked -
In 2003 Synod called on the Diocese to vigorously expand our support for ORAF (The Archbishop of Sydney's Overseas Relief and Aid Fund) and in 2004 Synod endorsed the Micah Challenge - to deepen our engagement with the poor.
Will the Archbishop consider setting up ORAF and OMF as a specialist support unit with Diocesan funding for its secretariat, so that such a body -
(a) Can more effectively pursue funding through the large international aid industry in order to give greater support to our brothers and sisters, especially those in churches we Australians begat, who are living in extreme poverty in the third world?
(b) Can lobby governments to provide greater support for third world need?
To which the President replied -
This question is out of order under business rules 6.3(4)(a) and (d) as it contains assertions and inferences about ORAF's and OMF's present funding arrangements and lobbying activities.
Nonetheless I will refer the question to the Committees of ORAF and OMF for their consideration.
Miss Kath White asked -
(a) What is the Biblical principle behind granting to or withholding from a parish the "benefit" [Ordinance term] of nominating a new rector solely on the basis of financial criteria, given that weekly offerings might not reflect the attendance, commitment or discernment of its members?
(b) What would the Diocese lose if all parishes were allowed this "benefit" of nomination, regardless of local revenue?
To which the President replied -
This question is out of order under business rule 6.3(4)(a) as it expresses an opinion. Nonetheless I am informed of the following -
(a) Although the Presentation and Exchange Ordinance does not spell out the principle, biblical or otherwise, behind its operation, I believe the principle would be something as follows. Where a parish is able to take the responsibility from its own giving for the payment and housing of their minister, then it is appropriate that they also have responsibility in sharing the process of selecting a minister. The principle here is that a parish which is able to fund and support its own minister is sufficiently self-supporting to also have the right to have a significant say in who that minister is. Where a parish is not able to support is own minister, then there is a limitation on its independence and therefore it is not as appropriate that they also should have such a say in who their minister should be.
(b) If all parishes were allowed the benefit of nomination without any qualification as to the support of their minister, the Diocese would lose its only significant encouragement and/ or sanction that parishes pay their minister the minimum stipend and house him adequately. Parishes have significant autonomy in the Diocese, as is quite appropriate for churches of Jesus Christ in fellowship. However, where a parish seeks to have a say in a minister being appointed by the Archbishop, it is appropriate to ask if the parish has been adequately supporting the previous minister. If this principle were dropped, it would seem to me that the crucial matter of responsibility of each parish would in itself be dropped and they would have the rights unconditionally which would be unhelpful.
The system may appear simplistic, but it seems that despite great differences in socioeconomic conditions, the amount of money a parish is able to raise from local revenue does continue to be a fairly good sign of the current health of the church itself.
13. Parish development reviews
The Rev Canon Sandy Grant asked -
(a) In the five years since the Parish Development Review Ordinance 2001 was passed by Synod, which encouraged every parish to have a development review at least every 5 years by an accredited facilitator or review group, how many such reviews have been requested and completed by parishes in our diocese?
(b) Who are the current members of the Monitoring Panel established under the Parish Review (Monitoring Panel) Ordinance 2001?
(c) Are there any vacancies on the Monitoring Panel, and if so, how many?
(d) Has the Monitoring Panel developed and published guidelines as to the process and best practice for the conduct of parish reviews, along with a requisite budget, and if so, where can Synod members find the details?
(e) Has the Monitoring Panel notified the Regional Councils of the names of suitably trained, experienced and gifted review group facilitators and members, which it has accredited, and if so, where can Synod members find the details?
To which the President replied -
(a) Nil
(b) The Reverend Stephen Semenchuk, Mr Timothy Hudson, Dr Grant Maple and Dr Mark Thompson
(c) Yes, 2
(d) No
(e) No
The Rev Canon Sandy Grant asked -
In light of -
(a) Policy 4 of the Diocesan Mission invoking reform of our customs and ordinances, and
(b) developments in the way men are ordained to the presbyterate in our diocese, and
(c) the observation that the New Testament consistently seems to envisage plurality of local eldership in oversight of local churches,
what advice can the Archbishop give regarding legitimate and wise ways for Anglican rectors and parishes to explore the appointment of a plural local lay eldership alongside the ordained Anglican presbyter in a parish?
To which the President replied -
The question raises important issues which I will refer to the Mission Board. My own initial view is that the natural giftedness and maturity of certain members of congregations can be recognised and encouraged without formal appointments other than those already incorporated in our structure.
15. Youth and children's ministry positions
The Rev Richard Blight asked -
(a) In the last twelve months, how many new full-time Assistant Minister, Lay Stipendiary and Youth or Children's ministry positions have been created in each region? How many of these received significant financial assistance from the regional councils or Archbishop's special curacies? How many such positions have been disestablished or no longer exist (as full-time positions)?
(b) If these details are not available, then, given the emphasis in the mission on raising up suitably qualified persons for ministry, what steps are being taken to ensure that such an important measure of mission progress is available?
(c) Have any new and significant steps been taken by any of the Regional Councils to increase the rate of creation of such new ministry positions?
To which the President replied -
I am informed that the answers are as follows -
(a) It is not possible to give accurate figures in the time available to me. The details held by the Registry do not necessarily indicate which positions are new. However, information derived from Ministry Training and Development indicates that something like 34 new positions are known to them. It should also be noted that in 2006 we had the largest ever ordination of deacons, and each of those deacons has a full time ministry position.
Many positions are funded by regional councils. At this stage I have been informed that Wollongong Regional Council funded 6 such positions in the last twelve months, Western Sydney 8 out of their 16 new positions, South Sydney 3 out of their 12 new positions, North Sydney 2 out of their 4 new positions and Georges River has 3 new positions planned for 2007. There were a further 3 positions funded from my special curacies. Two positions in the South Sydney region have closed.
(b) It is part of the constant role of bishops and archdeacons in talking to parishes to encourage them to think of employing extra staff in these various ministry positions.
(c) Likewise the regional councils are continually encouraging parishes to increase their staff, and providing funding in particular for this to take place.
The Rev David Clarke asked -
Could the $833,000 spent on the New Capital Project please be itemised?
To which the President replied -
I am informed the answer is as follows -
|
|
Salaries and wages |
$430,787 |
|
|
External advice |
$82,292 |
|
|
External advice - PricewaterhouseCoopers |
$174,294 |
|
|
Internal SDS charges |
$114,142 |
|
|
Other |
$32,061 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
$833,576 |
17. Compensation for injured clergy
The Rev Craig Roberts asked -
Could you confirm that if a member of clergy is injured in the course of discharging his ministry, any resultant out-of-pocket medical expenses will be covered by the Diocese to a maximum of $1,000. If this is so, could you explain why non-ordained church employees are fully covered under the State Workcover legislation but our clergy are not guaranteed this same level of assurance.
To which the President replied -
The first question is out of order under business rule 6.3 since it seeks a legal opinion. The second question is out of order since it contains an assertion. Nonetheless I am informed as follows -
Information about the benefits available to clergy injured in the course of performing their duties may be found in the annual circular to clergy and parishes about the Stipends, Allowances and Benefits, and also in the brochure entitled "About your Remuneration and Related Benefits" prepared by the Clergy Services Department of the Sydney Diocesan Secretariat and circulated to all clergy and parishes earlier this year.
18. Doctrine Commission Report (1)
Having been granted leave, Mrs Susan Hooke, on behalf of the Rev Canon Dr James McPherson, asked -
The record of the 1999 Synod published in the Diocesan 2000 Year Book is not specific about the Synod's response to the Doctrine Commission Report on the Trinity. Could the Archbishop please advise this Synod as to whether the report was noted, received, or adopted, and therefore clarify the report's status.
To which the President replied -
This question is strictly out of order under Business Rule 6.3(4) since it expresses an opinion about the record of the 1999 Synod.
Nonetheless I am informed as follows -
Although the Diocesan Year Book for 2000 simply refers to accounts and reports being tabled, the minutes for the proceedings of Synod on Monday 11 October 1999 preface the list of reports, including the report in question, with the following resolution -
"Synod notes that the following reports etc have been tabled, receives them and resolves that, in the light of the important issues raised in the report (63), entitled 'The Doctrine of the Trinity', it be printed and made available for distribution to members of the public at reasonable cost, and that the rest of the reports be printed at the discretion of the Standing Committee and that Standing Committee be requested to comply with paragraph (d) of resolution 23/98."
Paragraph (d) of resolution 23/98 dealt with an unrelated issue.
19. Doctrine Commission Report (2)
The Rev Canon Dr James McPherson asked -
(a) What is the status of members who conscientiously dissent from the conclusions of the 1999 Sydney Doctrine Commission Report?
(b) Will the Archbishop assure the Synod that the doctrinal conclusions of the 1999 Sydney Doctrine Commission Report have not been used to test the orthodoxy of clergy or lay people, for example for appointment to positions in the Diocese?
To which the President replied -
This question is out of order. It contains an inference that the 'status of members', whatever that may be and whoever such persons are, may be affected by an attitude to a report. Likewise, the second part contains an inference about the way in which clergy and lay people are assessed for various appointments.
Ms Caroline Bowyer asked -
(a) How many ordained women are entitled to be members of the Synod?
(b) In what representative capacity does each attend?
To which the President replied -
(a) Strictly speaking there is no entitlement, although I can indicate there are 29 women who are eligible to be appointed as members of Synod.
(b) 4 ordained women are currently appointed by me under Part 7 of the Synod Membership Ordinance 1995.
The Rev Neil Flower asked -
How was the special grant given to Anglican Media for the purpose of evangelism through the public media used during 2006?
To which the President replied -
The money was spent on the following projects -
(a) The Da Vinci Code
This project had three facets -
(i) A website, challengingdavinci.com, developed in conjunction with Dr Greg Clarke from CASE.
(ii) A 20-second cinema advertisement for the website.
(iii) Seminars and events on the Da Vinci Code that were advertised through the website.
(b) On- line evangelism
Anglican Media and Youthworks have redesigned the website christianity.net.au to be a more targeted evangelical gospel presentation.
Visitors to the website are now able to ask questions that are individually answered by Moore College students.
Anglican Media plans to further expand its on-line evangelism activities in 2007.
(c) A TV Christmas program
A one-hour Christmas special for children titled The King of Christmas to be presented by Colin Buchanan and broadcast nationally on the Channel 7 Network at 10.00am on Christmas Day.
(d) The Christ Files
A three-part documentary series, based on John Dickson's book of the same name, is currently in production. It will be broadcast nationally in 2007. Again, Anglican Media is working with Youthworks to develop a religious education curriculum based on the production.
Further information on parts (a) and (b) of this answer has been provided to the questioner and will be posted on the notice board in the foyer.
Attachment
(a) The Da Vinci Code
(i) A website, challengingdavinci.com, was developed in conjunction with Dr Greg Clarke from CASE. It was apologetically focused and provided a path to christianity.net.au for those wanting to know more. In the two months surrounding the movie's release (May and June) the site averaged 850 unique visitors a day.
(ii) A 20-second cinema advertisement for the website was produced. It was shown on 250 screens in 15 complexes across Sydney and Wollongong for 4 weeks, and was seen by 251,000 cinema goers. Promotional material was also produced for use by local churches.
(iii) The cinema advertisement also drew interest from the secular media. News articles were run in 220 publications world wide, as well as television coverage on the BBC and Irish TV. In Australia over 1 million viewers saw the advertisement through stories on the ABC and Channels 9 and 10. This media coverage was valued at over $1million
(iv) 60 seminars and events were advertised on the website. 23 were run by Dr Greg Clarke and 37 parishes ran their own events. These drew approximately 7,000 people. Non-Christian enquirers ranged from 25-50% of attendees, and half of these joined follow-up courses.
(b) On- line evangelism
This website christianity.net.au was redesigned as a more targeted evangelical gospel presentation. Anglican Media worked with Youthworks to develop the content with the specific aim that it would become a useful tool for school chaplains and religious education teachers.
A key feature of the site is the ability for visitors to ask questions that are individually answered. There is currently a team of 35 Moore College students involved in answering these questions, and there are plans to expand this to Youthworks College and possibly SMBC.
On average, 2 to 3 genuine gospel enquiries are received every day through this avenue. In 2007 Anglican Media will be employing a part-time, theologically trained staff member to develop this ministry, with the view to running on-line evangelism courses, and where possible linking enquirers with local fellowships.
22. Diocesan Area Wide Network
The Rev Neil Flower asked -
Concerning the new Diocesan Area Wide Network (DAWN), is it envisaged that this cost saving, internet and phone service will be available to Christian workers/Clergy etc in the future? If not, could the reasons please be given?
To which the President replied -
I am informed the answer is as follows -
As DAWN is still in the pilot evaluation stage it is not possible to answer the question definitively.
Technically DAWN is being designed to be able to be rolled out to any organisation, office or individual.
Whether DAWN proceeds to full roll out at parish level will be determined by -
(a) the Secretariat's business case once the full scope of costs and income are understood,
(b) the willingness and capacity of parishes to absorb the set up and operating costs of DAWN given the savings available to them,
(c) the preparedness of DAWN users to conform to the technical standards required and to forgo demands for customisation.
Once DAWN is established at parish level, it would be natural for a version of DAWN to be contemplated for roll out to individual Christian workers and clergy. This phase is not currently in planning.
23. Parish Buildings and Capital Audit
Mr Peter Denham asked -
(a) Has the Diocese kept the results of the Parish Buildings and Capital Audit conducted prior to last year's Synod?
(b) How many parishes in established suburbs are at or near to capacity when utilising their buildings?
(c) Is there any encouragement being offered to have smaller churches revitalised by congregation-planting partnerships, before these churches enter serious decline?
(d) Are there any current plans to use the audit results to assist planning congregation-planting partnerships between parishes with buildings at or near capacity and parishes with free or under-utilised buildings?
(e) Does the Archbishop consider that these sorts of arrangements will have the potential to continue strengthening the work of the mission in established suburbs?
To which the President replied -
I am informed the answers are as follows -
(a) The database created as part of the New Capital Project continues to be used as an analytical tool and draws from a wide range of stored data.
(b) If 'capacity' is defined as 3 services on any given Sunday, which are filled to 80% of the seating capacity, very few of our churches are at or near capacity.
(c) A number of such initiatives have taken place in which new congregations have been planted in smaller churches, and this is a matter which is regularly in the minds of Bishops and Archdeacons.
(d) The utilisation figures are available on our database for the use of the Bishops and Archdeacons and members of the Mission Board for these purposes.
(e) Arrangements such as you have mentioned have shown themselves already to be very effective and I would hope that similar arrangements would be undertaken in the future.
24. Anglicare financial surpluses and assets
Mr Philip Gerber asked -
(a) What financial surpluses, if any, did Anglicare have in the last three years of reporting?
(b) What financial reserves, if any, does Anglicare hold?
(c) If any reserves exist are they subject to trusts, and if so, what are the terms of the trusts?
(d) What non-cash assets, including real estate, does Anglicare have?
(e) Is there any real estate owned by Anglicare which is unused, under-used or surplus to requirement?
To which the President replied -
I am informed the answers are as follows -
The total financial results for Anglicare, as reported in its annual report and audited accounts, were-
(a) 2003 - $2.9million deficit
2004 - $5.6million surplus
2005 - $2.4million surplus
2006 for the 9 months to 30 September - $4.2million surplus
(b) As at the end of 2005 Anglicare had -
Accumulated reserves of $85.4million comprised of Cash and Investments of $55.2million and net current assets and liabilities of $30.2million (primarily fixed assets).
It should be noted, however, in the context of the reserves, that the Anglicare Council has approved a major aged care redevelopment program requiring initial capital outflows of approximately $55million by 2008, from which future capital inflows will be received over time to offset the initial capital outlay. This will also have a significant effect on the operational financial results as the older facilities are temporarily closed or down scaled and subsequent new staff trained.
(c) In relation to the cash reserves mentioned previously, a vast array of trustee arrangements exist restricting the potential generic use of these funds. These range from Government to private arrangements and are too numerous to provide detailed trust term arrangements in the time available. Much of the cash reserves result from the receipt of legacies and bequests, often over which conditional usage requirements prevail.
(d) As detailed in the Audited accounts, Anglicare's primary non-cash assets are Property Plant & Equipment, with significantly lesser amounts of Debtors & Prepayments.
(e) All real estate owned by Anglicare is used for the delivery and support of its services. Currently there are three properties being sold as surplus to Anglicare's requirements. 12 months ago Anglicare completed a comprehensive property portfolio review which is now being utilised as a resource in the development of business plans to optimise the service delivery by Anglicare. Anglicare purchased its current office premises in Parramatta in 2003. Since that time 1½ floors of the building have remained unlet.
Mr John Creelman asked -
Given that in our society professional associations require members to maintain their professional standards through a process of Continuing Professional Development at the members expense, what requirements or allowances exist in the Diocese through the Stipends & Allowances Committee, Ministry Training and Development Department, or elsewhere, to ensure that full time ministry staff within the Diocese maintain and develop their professionalism?
To which the President replied -
I am informed the answer is as follows -
There is currently no requirement for full time ministry staff to undertake continuing professional development, however it is encouraged. The Standing Committee recommends in the annual circular, 'Guidelines for the Remuneration of Parish Ministry Staff', that parishes provide an allowance or benefit to ministry staff to attend professional development courses.
Mr Garry Allen asked -
(a) In each Sydney Diocesan School -
(i) What percentage of the student body is involved in voluntary Christian activities such as Crusaders?
(ii) What percentage of the student body regularly attend a protestant church outside school?
(iii) Of the families represented at the school, what percentage attend a protestant church regularly?
(b) For each Sydney Diocesan School -
(i) What types of scholarship do they offer (for example, sport, music, academic)?
(ii) How many of these do they offer?
(iii) What other forms of fee relief do they offer?
(c) Which Sydney Diocesan Schools currently programme sporting or other non-church activities on Sunday?
(d) Which schools currently support students with cerebral palsy, downs syndrome or other physical or mental disabilities?
(e) How is fee affordability determined? Which schools currently charge fees exceeding this level?
(f) Which Sydney Diocesan Schools had an operating surplus last year that exceeded government grant that they received?
To which the President replied -
I am informed that the answers are as follows -
Given the extensive nature of the information sought by the question and the limited time available it has not been possible to obtain information from each diocesan school. Information has been provided by 5 schools of different types and this information has been used to compile the following answers.
(a) (i) 10 to 33%
(ii) 15 to 60%
(iii) 10 to 60%
(b) (i) Academic, music and all-round. None of the schools offer sports scholarships.
(ii) The number of scholarships tends to be discretionary depending on need, the funds available and the size of the school. However in any given year the schools that provided a response offer between 11 and 165 scholarships.
(iii) Financial hardship assistance, temporary fee relief for temporary set backs such as the drought, bursaries and fee reduction for the children of clergy and staff.
(c) Generally there are no sporting or other non-church activities programmed on a Sunday, although there is the occasional exception such as sporting activities for boarders, training for state representative teams, drama and music practice (in the afternoon and only with the approval of the Principal) as well as staff professional development.
(d) All the schools provide support for disabled students and have disabled students on their enrolment. One school has an educational support unit that employs 4 full-time staff.
(e) It is not possible in the time available to provide a full answer to this question. However it does seem to me that in one sense there is no objective measure of affordability since affordability will depend in large part on an individual's capacity to pay.
(f) Again, it is not possible to provide a full answer to this question in the time available. However my expectation is that much of the information sought would be available in the annual reports of each school.