In resolution A125 of the 2006 General Convention, the Office for Ministry Development was directed to ascertain the best possible way of determining a feasibility study which would review whether lay pension benefits should be made compulsory and, if so, whether or not a single service provider should be made available for pensions of lay employees in the Episcopal Church. To fulfill this direction the Office for Ministry development determined that a study group of approximately twelve people be gathered to offer collective wisdom about these issues. I was asked to be part of the group, an invitation I gladly accepted.
Today concluded two days of meetings. And there is great collective wisdom in the group, and I am honored to be the “voice of the small congregation” in the dialogue. However, that is where I need your help.
What are your views about the feasibility of mandating pensions for lay employees in the Episcopal Church? What is the recommendation when viewed from a theological perspective? From a stewardship perspective? From a social justice perspective? And what are the financial implications for the small congregation? Are the theological and stewardship considerations different when one looks at the financial realities of small Episcopal churches? If you are not part of the Epsicopal Church, does your denomination or faith group have pension mandates for employees?
I value your opinion and wisdom, and welcome your comments, either posted anonymously below or via e-mail at swatson@episcopalchurch.org
2 comments:
I suspect that, instead of a pension, something more portable, a not-for-profit equivalent to a 401-K would be more appropriate for lay people. Unlike clergy, who normally are employed within the same denomination for their entire career, lay employees frequently move from denomination to denomination, or in and out of church employment. Thus, portability of the benefit would be very important. This is particularly true of church musicians (our current organist/choir director already had stints in Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican churches before she came to us, and on three continents to boot -- and she would much prefer health insurance to a pension anyway).
It's also interesting that the Episcopal Church is considering pensions at a time when pensions are definitely an endangered species in the corporate world.
Geoff:
Thank you for this response. You make a great point regarding transferability and I will take this suggestion with me to the next meeting.
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