Goal 4: Develop Effective Stewardship of Financial Resources. For the diocese to develop and implement fiscal strategies that make the best use of the resources God has entrusted to us, and to challenge and motivate all Episcopalians to generous and faithful giving.

One of our tasks in addressing this goal is to discern the CAPACITY of congregations in our diocese to pay their Apportionment for the Common Good commonly referred to as ACG. There are several components which vary from congregation to congregation in assessing their ACG Capacity. Please come to the Regional Meeting prepared to share your answers to the following questions:

1. What was your total income for 2008 used to support your Operational Budget? Please include these specific amounts: Plate… Pledge… Dividends from Endowment… Principal from Endowment… Grants from other agencies… Special One Time Gift.

2. What was your total Operational expense for 2008? Please include these specific amounts: ACG… Clergy Compensation and Benefits… All Lay Staff Compensation and Benefits… Outreach… Major and Minor Building Repair and Insurance… Long Term and /or Short Term Debt.

3. If you have an endowment, what was the value of the endowment as of 31 December 2008? What aspects of parish life do the dividends from the Endowment support? Are you using principal from your endowment to support your parish budget?

4. If you could choose, what percentage of your Operational Income would you be willing to give to support the Diocese of Minnesota and the National Church?