Canon Tim Nunez opened the discussion and gave some background on the new assessments to start in 2019. “In order to be a parish, you must give 10 percent to the diocese,” he said. “In 2019, you must give 15 percent to the wider church.”

The panel consisted of Bishop Greg Brewer, Nunez, and Earl Pickett.

The first question came from the Rev. Tom Seitz, rector, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Wales: “What will ‘income’ be based on in figuring out a church’s assessment? Is the 15 percent based on plate and pledge or all church income? At Good Shepherd, Lake Wales, there are a variety of income sources, like a thrift shop and rental properties. Would those income sources have to be counted in our parish’s total income?”

Nunez said income will be based on a parish’s annual parochial report to The Episcopal Church.

Next, the Rev. Mary Rosendahl, rector, Church of the Nativity, Port St. Lucie, asked, “In 2019, when new assessment canon changes to 15 percent giving to the national church, by what percentage will parish giving be increased to the diocese?”

Nunez answered that an increase of 1 percent of a church’s giving will go to the diocese.

Rosendahl then asked, “If alternative giving goes away, will 15 percent go to the national church in unrestricted form?”

“Yes,” Nunez answered, “but any leftovers or alternative giving after the mandatory 15 percent will be figured out and distributed to our many ministries, as has previously been done.”

Brewer then commented: “Because of the generosity of churches around the diocese, the diocesan budget has ended in the black for the last few years. There should, therefore, still be money left over in the budget for Honduras, one of the longest-running partnerships in The Episcopal Church.”

The Rev. Jonathan French, Grace, Ocala, asked:  “What happens to parishes that cannot give 15 percent? How much is paid by the diocese in alternative giving for ministries like Honduras?”

The diocese gives $500,000 each year.

French then asked: “How much money does the diocese need to make up the new mandatory 15 percent assessment to the national church?”

The diocese needs $250,000 a year.

The Rev. Peter Magill, rector, Church of the Holy Family, Orlando, asked: “What do church leaders do when parishioners do not want to give to The Episcopal Church?”

Brewer answered. “I do not like the idea of not giving to The Episcopal Church,” he said. “As a biblical conservative, I understand the sentiments; but by keeping funds from The Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Central Florida loses its effectiveness and credibility at the table with The Episcopal Church. Withholding funds is not an effective strategy for change.”

The Rev. Charlie Holt, rector, St. Peter’s, Lake Mary, stated that the only listed consequence for not participating in the mandatory 15 percent assessment to The Episcopal Church is the inability to be a recipient of grant money from DFMS (Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society). He asked how much grant money the diocese receives.

Nunez replied that the amount changes from year to year. It has been as high as $200,000, he said, while last year’s recipient, the Rev. Alison Harrity, rector, St. Richard’s, Winter Park, was awarded $50,000 for building wells in Tanzania.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Lord, rector, All Saints, Winter Park, made a suggestion about how the churches could help one another: “I would recommend looking into a formula based on plate and pledge, average Sunday attendance, and other markers. The churches that are more affluent could give more to help the parishes that are not as well off.”

Randy Wiseman of St. Edward’s, Mount. Dora, asked: “Where can we see The Episcopal Church’s budget?”

The budget is posted on The Episcopal Church website: http://www.episcopalchurch.org.

The Rev. Paul Head, rector, St. Paul’s, Winter Haven, wanted to know if The Episcopal Church is tightening its own belt. “Is The Episcopal Church thinking of moving somewhere less expensive than New York City?” he asked.

Brewer replied: “No, because The Episcopal Church has been able to sublet most of its building, which means the rental revenue supersedes their expenses. Much of the staff telecommutes, too. Significant cost-cutting measures have been made because of diminished income from parishes.”

Addressing the bishop’s reply, the Rev. Andrew Petiprin, rector, St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, said: “I trust the bishop when he says there is a need to pay the mandatory 15 percent. I assume that is so the Diocese of Central Florida has a place at the table where it can be a voice against canons with which we do not agree. What happens in the future, though, when the canons we cannot live with are passed? Will our participation in the mandatory 15 percent assessment have been in vain?”

Brewer replied: “I feel that I am called to obey. Even if there is no visible benefit in giving the mandatory 15 percent to The Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Central Florida cannot choose to live within The Episcopal Church in our own way. That would be doing exactly what The Episcopal Church has done in the wider Anglican Communion.”

The closing comment from Brewer showed his feelings on the matter. “I do not want a lawsuit brought up by a diocesan church against The Episcopal Church,” he said. “Know that this is the beginning of the conversation. I want to hear from you. Please call to make an appointment for a one-on-one meeting, or for a group [meeting]. I want to hear thoughts and suggestions.”