Financial ecumenism
I am not a great fan of the Church of England. Its average level of spirituality fails to impress, which is why I am in Orthodoxy.
But one thing I do miss is the Anglican approach to money. This I find far superior to the Russian model. Priests all get a pretty standard salary, paid centrally. Each church knows at the beginning of the year how much it is expected to contribute to the diocesan fund, based on the number of members on its parish register. Charges for marriages and funerals are standard across the country and clearly displayed (see above). There are severe restrictions on private gifts to clergymen. Financial scandal is almost non-existent.
Could I recommend a dose of financial ecumenism in the Canterbury > Moscow direction…..?
But one thing I do miss is the Anglican approach to money. This I find far superior to the Russian model. Priests all get a pretty standard salary, paid centrally. Each church knows at the beginning of the year how much it is expected to contribute to the diocesan fund, based on the number of members on its parish register. Charges for marriages and funerals are standard across the country and clearly displayed (see above). There are severe restrictions on private gifts to clergymen. Financial scandal is almost non-existent.
Could I recommend a dose of financial ecumenism in the Canterbury > Moscow direction…..?