OCA finances discussed at All-American Council Wednesday afternoon sessions
Following the election of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, at a special session of the Orthodox Church in America’s 15th All-American Council on the morning of Wednesday, November 12, Council participants spent the afternoon hearing reports on the financial state of the Church.
During the session, chaired by OCA Treasurer, Priest Michael Tassos, Council delegates first heard a report from Mr. John Barrone, a partner in the accounting firm of Weiser LLP, that is engaged in the external audit of the OCA’s 2007 financial statements. Mr. Barrone stated that his firm would be issuing a qualified opinion letter on the 2007 financial statements. The reason for the qualification was a lack of clarity in restricted and unrestricted funds resulting from an inadequacy of accounting records related to the time period that was addressed by the Special Investigating Committee. He concluded by stating that what was necessary in order to maintain good financial practices in the Church was a proper attitude toward the importance of sound accounting procedures, competence among financial personnel, and diligence in assuring that financial practices are appropriate.
The full report from Weiser LLP will be posted on the OCA.org web site shortly.
After Mr. Barrone’s report, Fr. Michael was joined by Archpriest Matthew Tate, chair of the Metropolitan Council Finance Committee. Fr. Matthew presented a review of steps that the Metropolitan Council took over the past four years to address the issues of financial mismanagement at the OCA Chancery. One of the significant changes implemented by the Metropolitan Council was to no longer pass deficit budgets, which in some cases were as great as $1.2 million.
Fr. Michael then presented an outline of his activities as Treasurer from the time of his appointment in November 2007, including a review of the 2007 financial statements. Fr. Michael continued by reviewing Church finances in 2008, to-date. He concluded by listing a number of action items that require attention, which include expenses related to legal matters, ensuring that financial reporting is done in a regular, timely, and accurate manner, and implementation of the Blackbaud accounting software. He concluded by emphasizing that, while finances must be cared for properly and responsibly, the life of the Church was not about money, but about doing the work to which Christ has called His faithful. Keeping finances in order help ensure that the Church can do it’s primary task effectively.
Following Fr. Michael’s report, the OCA’s internal audit committee, chaired by Archpriest Paul Suda, gave their report to the Council. Fr. Paul said that with only a few minor exceptions, financial matters at the OCA Chancery were in good order. He attributed this to the diligence of the Chancery’s financial staff under the supervision of Fr. Michael Tassos.
The final financial report of the day came from Archpriest Michael Westerberg, Group Leader of the OCA Pension Board. Fr. Michael noted that approximately 62% of eligible OCA clergy are members of the Pension Plan. He also noted that as of November 7, 2008, the Pension Plan was worth $19,357,798.00. Although the worth of the Plan has dropped as markets have dipped, the worth has increased from 2007. In response to concerns resulting from pending legal actions against the Church, Fr. Michael also state that the plan’s assets are separate from those of the Church. All Pension Plan assets belong to participants.
Copies of the financial reports discussed on Wednesday afternoon will be posted on the OCA.org web site shortly. Audio files from these sessions may be heard on Ancient Faith Radio by clicking here.
Wednesday’s All-American Council events concluded with a formal dinner for Council participants, guests, and faithful from local OCA parishes. Special guests at the dinner included His Grace, Bishop Mark of Toledo and the Midwest of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, who was present at the Council throughout the day, including at the election of Metropolitan Jonah. Another special guest was Archpriest Alexander Lebedev who was representing His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who conveyed greetings from Metropolitan Hilarion at the opening session of the Council on Monday, November 10.
The keynote speaker for the dinner was OCA chancellor, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs. Fr. Alexander stated that conflicts are not new to the Church. He said that the scandal the the OCA faced was “a sign of our coming of age.” It represented the part of the maturation process of the Church. Acknowledging that there will be continuing challenges in Church life, he stated that the faithful will persevere to a large extent through the legacy of Orthodoxy’s living Tradition. Fr. Alexander then went on the speak directly to the clergy, stating that although very difficult at times, service in the priesthood was the most noble of vocations. He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the local Committee involved in planning the 15th All-American Council, together with the volunteer staff who assisted them. He also thanked the clergy of the Church and the Holy Synod of Bishops. Referring to the election of Metropolitan Jonah, Fr. Alexander stated that although there are complaints that the bishops do not speak out enough, this day they spoke out clearly without even saying a word.
Other presenters during the dinner were Mr. Nick Chakos of International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] and Priest David Rucker of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center [OCMC], both of whom spoke about the work of their respective organizations. Both presentations made it clear that ministry, such as that in which IOCC and OCMC are involved, is the core work of the Church.
The final speaker of the evening was His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah. Beginning by stating that Christian leadership was grounded not in power but in service, Metropolitan Jonah shared with those present his vision of the work that lies ahead for the OCA. He stressed that ministries, such as campus ministry, together with evangelization, are the core work to which the OCA must commit itself in order to provide a safe haven and a place for healing for people in a society filled with pain and disillusionment. He also identified inter-Church relations as an important priority for the OCA; in order to be respected and affirmed by other Churches, His Beatitude said, it is essential that the OCA respect and affirm them as well. The most important thing that each believer can do, he stressed, is to live out the Orthodox faith and life, making a new commitment to spiritual discipline and sacramental life. His Beatitude stated that making this commitment bears much fruit in one’s personal life and allows the initiatives that the Church takes on are filled with grace.
Metropolitan Jonah’s dinner address may be heard on Ancient Faith Radio by clicking here.
On Thursday, November 13, the final day of the Council, delegates will follow up on Wednesday’s financial reports with questions and discussion. They will also discuss the assessment to the central Church for the next three year term and elect individuals to fill various administrative positions in the Church.