First, a couple of disclaimers. (1) I’ve been trying to write various posts on aspects of these topics for a couple of weeks now and have nothing coherent–yet. (2) I love Twitter. (3) I get tired of defending the ability to have a conversation on Twitter.
So when I realized that I had a conversation on Twitter about the topics I had been trying to write about and that there was a handy service (Storify) which would help me show this, my mind jumped to, “Win!”
I tweet as @theologybird. You can follow me by clicking on my twitter handle there or through the handy widget on the right side of this page. This conversation is largely between myself and a good friend @revlucymeg, although you will see a few other people and some links to articles.
So, here for your perusal, entertainment, and thoughts, a Twitter-based conversation about General Convention (and it’s potential restructuring), the Draft Budget, and whatever else was on our minds. All opinions are our own and non-binding (that is, we reserve the right to change them).
If you want the slightly prettier version: [View “General Convention and Budget” on Storify]
And for those of you who find external links scary (I’m one of you) here it is, in rough form:
‘@episcopalcafe: Restructuring by de-funding bit.ly/x4QeSu‘ Every program that helped me discern/go to seminary will be gone. @revlucymeg I know. The Church that does not know how to let ppl in. Or this: ow.ly/9qX3D (Love him!) @theologybird yup. That’s on #fb. I agree w what he says, but how to argue w the budget in our process? GC isn’t set up for it @revlucymeg I saw somewhere that the budget used to be made available for review more often–not voting, but just visible. Step 1. @revlucymeg Don’t know what step 2 is. Don’t want to be on ExecComm. You? @theologybird HA. see, and here I thought we were friends….. @theologybird yes- and more transparent. (Debt?!) I’ve been around #SoVa too long. Hidden line items give me hives. @theologybird Nice friend! Friends don’t nominate friends for scary cmtes. @revlucymeg Hey–I’m not filling out any nomination forms. None. @revlucymeg Yeah, those make me twitchy too. And Debt. Different *interesting* history. @revlucymeg Deal! No scary cmtes without willing sacrifice (because we’re slightly crazy). @theologybird it might be from the embezzling scandal from 15-20 yrs back at 815, but who knows? @revlucymeg It might be b/c we’ve already been around church structure too long. Why’d we stay again? @theologybird Maschocism? And a sympathy for dying things? @revlucymeg I’ll accept masochism, but TEC has to hang in longer than I do. #stubborn @theologybird true enough. Lets call it preferential option for the underdog. @revlucymeg Yes. That works for me. @revlucymeg So, is the budget discussion solution to reduce GC, meet more often, or to wait and let the 50’s $ mentality die out? @theologybird a big help would be reduce GC. If it were smaller, we could meet more often/ as often, but it’s SO expensive. @theologybird & we let 50s $ mentality die too. Bonus! @theologybird but also! We can’t tea party the church. Dioceses can’t suddenly do all things when they’re broke too. No$=no program @revlucymeg On one hand I like this, on the other hand I have enfranchisement (fictional, I know) issues. We need all of us. 1/2 @revlucymeg Maybe not for governance, but we need all of us. We need large groups of Episcopalians being us. @revlucymeg And! there are things when we speak best with a lger voice–even when it is confusing and complex. We need to give us the time. @theologybird not disagreeing, but 5 yrs wouldn’t kill us. there is power in the large group– agree. @revlucymeg I can now think of several ways to make this all more complicated #goodepiscopalian @revlucymeg I could do 5 yrs, but then more de facto power goes to Exec Comm. Not so sure about that. @theologybird hm. Maybe the real problem is ExecCmte. (too small/enclosed) And how GC governs in Bw mtgs. @theologybird @revlucymeg This is fascinating. @revlucymeg Transparency! Transparency! @fathertorey @revlucymeg What happens when Church nerds have the internet. @theologybird @fathertorey When we have Internet and want to avoid sermon writing. @revlucymeg @theologybird So no sermon, no procrastination. Just Internet. I’m feeling weird – a man w/out a country etc. @revlucymeg @theologybird Anyway you seem like decent people. @fathertorey can’t speak for @theologybird, but I try! 🙂 @fathertorey @revlucymeg thanks! Impressed that you still think so. 🙂 @fathertorey @agardenpath @theologybird @episcopalcafe #ecafe ah– there. &yes, I’m a deputy for AZ Days that prove why I love twitter. Thanks @revlucymeg @fathertorey @episcopalcafe @theologybird @revlucymeg @episcopalcafe Grin. @theologybird @fathertorey @episcopalcafe And twitter restores my faith in the church…