Bishop's Charge

The Rt. Rev. James E. Folts
100th Annual Council of the Diocese of West Texas
February 19-21, 2004
San Antonio, Texas

The Godly Admonitions

To claim anew our Mission Integrity and with earnest resolve to maintain that Integrity, I would, as your bishop, declare the following Godly Admonitions to the Diocese of West Texas:

First: During Lent of each year, beginning this year, each Vestry and Bishop's Committee will meet, along with other committed members of their congregations, to study the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) and the Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-31), to pray about mission, to plan missionary activities, and to budget for the church's mission year from Lent to Lent.

It will be the responsibility of the parish clergy and wardens to see that this is accomplished.

These plans are to be submitted to the Bishop and the Executive Board of the Diocese of West Texas by Palm Sunday each year beginning this year.

Second: The Executive Board of the Diocese of West Texas will provide to each congregation of the Diocese a Catalog of Missionary Funding Opportunities. This Catalog will be delivered prior to the Sunday closest to October 12, when, in the Collect for the Day, we say:

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works . . .

Third: Each year, in the week of Thanksgiving, each Vestry and Bishop's Committee will report in writing to the Bishop and Executive Board its missionary activities.

The Executive Board will report back to the Congregations at the Annual Diocesan Council with suggestions for expanding partnerships with other congregations or dioceses.

Fourth: Each congregation is hereby exhorted to commit a higher percentage of its income each year. The Executive Board of the Diocese, through the Departments of

World Mission, Stewardship, and Christian Education will provide educational materials.

Hear it again. Each Vestry and Bishop's committee is to study the Great Commission and the Great Commandment each Lent, to pray about mission, and to plan missionary activities and budget, and to report those plans by Palm Sunday each year.

The Executive Board will publish a Catalog of Missionary Funding Opportunities prior to the Sunday closest to October 12 each year. And by Thanksgiving of each year, all Vestries and Bishop's Committees will report on their missionary activities.