It was February of 1998, and a group of dioceses had gathered in Burlingame, California for a meeting that would decide how they would continue their relationship that many of them had enjoyed since the 1970's.  The new structure, Domestic Missionary Partnership, was the phoenix rising from the ashes of Coalition 14, a long-time group of up to 16 dioceses that had worked together for over 20 years to challenge one another to move from survival to mission.

Coalition 14 had banded together to change the way funds (base budget support) from the National Church were distributed.  Instead of each diocese going to New York hat-in-hand, the Church would make a block grant (eventually totaling about 1.3 million dollars including Native American Ministries support) to Coalition 14.  As the dioceses worked together there was a movement from independence to interdependence among them, and a number of dioceses became financially self sufficient through several years of budget challenging, disclosure of unrestricted funds, and better stewardship.  For example, the standard for all C-14 diocese was that 25 per-cent of each congregation's NDBI became a target for assessment.  Many dioceses approached that and were able to reduce if not eliminate their base budget support.  The question of whether this discouraged mission at the local level can be (and was!) argued vehemently, but the fact is that dioceses began to take much more responsibility for their own mission and ministry.

Out of this process Nevada developed its Total Common Ministry approach; Alaska significantly expanded its focus on mutual ministry; Northern Michigan moved ahead with its development, and other dioceses made significant progress.
While several left the Coalition after achieving financial self-sufficiency (Arizona, Rio Grande and Hawaii, Northern Michigan) a number remained because of the interdependent nature of the relationships formed between partner dioceses.

In the late 1980's political and economic motivation caused the Executive Council to grant a charter of financial direct support to the Episcopal Coalition on Indian Ministries (ECIM) as a unique coalition.  With almost a million dollars transferred from C-14 to ECIM, this left some question about the future of Coalition 14.  Even though dioceses with significant Indian ministries remained part of C-14, the financial challenge was no longer seated in that arena.  Thus began the evolution that led to Domestic Missionary Partnership.

The DMP adopted a set of guidelines at its 1998 meeting which defined its Statement of Purpose as:  an annual forum for dioceses that, by Baptism, have been sent into the world around them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, as an act of accountability to the whole church, wish to share their experiences in mission with other dioceses.

The guidelines also state the intent of the DMP: We intend to require the National Church to challenge each member diocese to spend all its available resources for mission, and we intend to challenge the National Church to spend all its available resources for mission.  Furthermore, the Domestic Missionary Partnership will continue to be an organization through which the National Church can fund missionary enterprises.

Membership in the DMP is open to all dioceses that accept the purpose and intent stated above.  Dioceses are expected to follow the funding guidelines of the DMP if they seek base budget support, and special funding for missionary enterprises is considered at each meeting.  The Diocese of Utah has made several gifts of $25,000 to the DMP for missionary enterprise grants, and some diocese have made uses of the Roanridge Trust for similar work.  A grant from the National Church of $250,000 per-year funds basic work, cost of meetings, and support for Eastern Oregon, Idaho (now self-sufficient), Eau Claire and Western Kansas.

The Bishop, a leader in mission and a person knowledgeable about finances represent each Diocese.  Other persons may be invited to participate.

In 1999 the DMP began a process that will result in a development of a missionary strategy for its member dioceses.  The partners spent a day with John Kater from CDSP, heard a church growth pastor from El Camino Real (the San Jose area) and listened to stories about mission from its own members.  For the 2000 meeting, John Kater returned and spent a day in dialogue about mission; the Diocese of Alaska presented their experience with Gospel Based Discipleship; there was input from Church Center staff, and a presentation from Pat Kiefert and Patricia Ellison of Church Innovations. Church Innovations has considerable experience in growth of small congregations from the development perspective that includes training local leadership.

In 2001 the meeting focused on anti-racism training with trainers from Crossroads Ministries (Chicago). 2002 and 2003 were focused on marketing strategies for diocese and congregations.

Partner Members currently include Alaska, Eastern Oregon, Eau Claire, El Camino Real (new with the formation of DMP), North Dakota, Idaho, Western Kansas, Utah, Nevada, and Navajoland and Spokane.

Three dioceses receive the bulk of base budget support.  In 2003 the grants for these dioceses were (approximate):

                        Eastern Oregon            $ 103,000                    Note:  Dioceses with Indian
                        W. Kansas                        70,455                    ministries are funded through
                        Eau Claire                         37,000                    NCIW.

Each diocese receiving base budget support undergoes a financial review at the DMP meeting, chaired by Mary O’Farrell (Western Kansas), Comptroller.

A continuing issue for the Partnership is how will we get dioceses local congregations to catch the vision of mission and find ways to apply the learning we share? 

Ben Helmer  rev 5/03