But what is it trying to teach? Fred Hiltz seems to think that structural changes are the answer, while Dennis Drainville wants to “focus on mission” – although by “mission”, he means more vigorous leftist political agitation rather than the saving of souls.

James Cowan wants to “view the challenges as an opportunity”, a sure sign that he was asleep for most of the meeting.

It doesn’t seem to have occurred to anyone that perhaps the malady is a consequence of the beliefs of the Anglican Church of Canada not the inadequacy of its structures, programs or bogus “missions”.

If what most of the church leadership believes is nonsense – and it is – why would God bless the church, why would people give it money and why does it deserve to survive?

From here:

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, kicked off the fall meeting (Nov. 15-18) of the Council of General Synod (CoGS) in Mississauga, Ont. by urging members to view declining revenues and a looming budget shortfall as a “teaching moment handed to us by God.”

What’s needed now, said Hiltz is “transformational change.” He called on members to find “the courage to let go of our deep attachments to old ways and structures” and to “dare to imagine new scenarios.” In recent years, the church has attempted to effect change but “the structures don’t really look very different,” Hiltz noted.

CoGS members are being asked to discuss ideas that support priorities set out in the church’s 10-year strategic plan, Vision 2019. These priorities include envisioning a more streamlined structure for General Synod. The work being done at CoGS is part of a series of discussions that will take place over the next eight months leading up to General Synod 2013 in July. In January, Hiltz is convening a national consultation in Toronto to look at the future of church.

In its written report to CoGS, the financial management committee (FMC) has stressed that “revenues have been declining more rapidly than expected” and as a result, anticipated deficits for 2013 and beyond “have materialized much earlier than expected.”  This weekend, CoGS will be asked to approve a 2013 budget with a proposed deficit of $513,000.

Rob Dickson, FMC chair, cited declining membership as a factor for the deficit. Diocesan giving has been declining annually at an average rate of 3%, said Dickson, adding that capital fundraising initiatives undertaken by the national office in partnership with dioceses are “not a quick fix.”