The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention ask that the bishops and dioceses of The Episcopal Church create, nurture, and develop a culture of collaboration that results in new structures, partnerships, and practices on the interpersonal, group, and organizational levels; measurable outcomes of performance; standards of accountability, reporting and mutual ministry reviews at all levels (bishops, clergy, diocesan bodies); and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention encourages Dioceses to explore opportunities for collaboration, and possibly merging, with contiguous Dioceses, to better carry out their common mission; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention urge the bishops and diocesan leadership of The Episcopal Church to engage in frank discussion about the number and size of our dioceses across the church, diocesan collaboration, vitality, and shared ministry, and what change is needed; and be it further

Resolved, That the Planning Committee of the House of Bishops is requested to set aside time this Triennium to discuss issues of diocesan vitality; and be it further

Resolved, That The Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church is directed to seek input from the above conversations and to study opportunities and challenges of diocesan collaboration, vitality, shared ministry, and the number and size of dioceses, and to report back to the 79th General Convention.