Mission Policy

During 2011 a subcommitte was tasked by Keynsham Parochial Church Council (PCC), to examine Parish Mission Policy and Parish Mission Giving. 

The PCC released the report for parish-wide discussion at its January 2012 meeting, inviting as many people as possible to comment on its arguments and proposals.

The full report is found here

A brief summary is below:

Short Summary of the Report of the Mission Policy Subcommittee - December 2011

The January 2011 PCC meeting set up a committee to examine Parish Policy towards Mission and Mission Giving.  This included both the position and attitude towards Mission, and the process of Mission giving.

Previously, the Churches within the Parish of Keynsham have aimed to give away 10% of their income to “Mission” giving through the Mission Committee and DCCs. However, this is no longer affordable, and so the situation needed to be reviewed.

Mission is becoming increasingly important, in the UK as well as abroad. The needs of the World continue to be important but it is also important to be mission minded in the UK as fewer people know about Christianity.

Mission policy will be based on the five marks of Mission;

1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
3. To respond to human need by loving service
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

Money is only a small part of the general Mission activities of the church. However, it is important to consider it and have a policy.

The 10% that previous policies have been based on is from the notion of Tithing. Tithing is an Old Testament policy, and so some of the details are difficult to relate to our time (i.e. relating to crops).

In the New Testament, the most important point appears to be that the attitude of giving money is more important than the laws or amounts. There is little precedence anywhere of a corporate tithe (of organisations rather than people).

Mission giving within the Parish has been complex and unclear. It could be more transparent.

A considerable amount of the Parish’s general expenditure can be attributed to activities that constitute Mission.  This shows that we already give considerably more than 10%. This does not take away from specific Mission giving that should still occur.

Proposals:

Keynsham Parish adopt a Mission policy based on the Five Marks of Mission. The PCC will have overall responsibility, with the help of the Outward Mission Committee (previously the Mission Committee).

The Outward Mission Committee will be made up from members of all churches in the Parish, and will work from a Budget prepared in November and agreed by the PCC. It will be accountable to the PCC for decisions made. The money will be provided (if agreed) by the DCCs of each church, alongside the Parish Share and Parish Expenses. Initially, a budget of 3% of Planned Giving and Collection Plate income will be aimed for, with the long term aim of increasing this to 5% when the financial position of the Parish is more secure.

The giving of Time and Talents to Mission will also be encouraged.

We strongly encourage you to read the Full report of the Mission Policy Subcommittee which can be found on the Parish website, or copies can be obtained at the Parish Office.