Diocesan Treasurer Named National Church CFO

By Mary Beth Diss

N. Kurt Barnes

Not only does his dedication to the Church make him an outstanding choice for CFO of ECUSA, but his academic and professional background confirm the choice. Barnes has a bachelor’s degree from Yale in Economics and a graduate degree in Economics from Harvard, having written a dissertation on the financial management of nonprofit organizations.

Barnes added that this job with the National Church allows him now to work on “an interest I had but only indirectly acted on” up to now.

After school, he served for 20 years as a financial officer and investment manager for the International Nickel Company of Canada, and later managed pension funds at Morgan Stanley. In the summer of 2002, Barnes went to work at the Hale House Center, “introducing improved financial governance.” For the past two months, he has been serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer at Amnesty International.

Now in the position of ECUSA’s CFO, Barnes is stepping down from his other finance positions, in part because of the tremendous responsibility of his new job. “This is definitely at least a full-time job,” Barnes said. He added, “I may continue to help Amnesty International in any way I can, which might involve assistance and recommendations in financial management and investment management.”

Sr. Faith Margaret of the Community of the Holy Spirit was elected treasurer to replace Barnes in that position.

Barnes first became interested in the CFO position two years ago, when a search was in progress for candidates, but he learned of it too late in the process. The position then opened again this past June. A search committee of the Executive Council of Convention evaluated and interviewed candidates from around the United States. The process also included discussions with the Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold and the candidates. By October, the search committee presented the Presiding Bishop with a name, and Barnes was appointed shortly thereafter.

“I appreciate that the search process was done correctly and thoroughly because the Executive Council and the Presiding Bishop were aware of some of the unfortunate events in the past and the short tenure of my predecessor,” Barnes said.

On being appointed to this position, Barnes said, “I am absolutely pleased. This is a job I look forward to doing with enthusiasm each morning. It is a job that I am doing because I want to do it.” He added, “I assured the Presiding Bishop that I want to do a good job, and I plan to be there as long as he and the Convention will have me.”

Barnes begins his term as CFO during a time of discord as well as financial struggle for many churches and dioceses in the National Church, but he is optimistic and excited about his new role.

“I won’t try to make any suggestions before I walk in,” Barnes said. “I am just reminded that as we look at uncertainty, there is always uncertainty in any organization, whether for profit or not for profit. What I hope to do is be able to talk with everyone, every diocesan administrator, to show that we at the Episcopal Church Center are serving everyone, and that if we were only serving those with whom we agree, we would be a church of one.”

Barnes explained that the function of the staff at the ECC is to carry out the mission and directives decided on at General Convention and by the Executive Council within the triennium. Part of his duty at the ECC will be “insuring the work of the Church established by Convention through the triennial budget is implemented and that the mission of the Church is accomplished within that approved budget,” he explained. In his new role, Barnes hopes to “explain what services we at ECC provide and to emphasize that some work can be done more efficiently and cost-effectively through a central administration.”

Barnes said that, as CFO, his first function “is to be a good fiduciary” by explaining to the Presiding Bishop what he should not do, “but then also suggest what can be done. In suggesting what can be done, you offer legal, prudent alternatives to accomplish mission.”

His work for the Diocese provided excellent training for Barnes’ new position at ECUSA.

“I think absolutely the most important thing I learned was how to involve volunteers in putting together a budget, and then implementing it,” Barnes said of his role as Treasurer. “I also learned the importance of volunteers.” This is important for his new role, since he explained, “Many commissions and committees are volunteer. For example, members of Executive Council are elected by General Convention and serve voluntarily. Much of the work is done and moved forward by volunteers.”
Even with his new position, Barnes emphasized, “I will to the extent possible always be available to serve the Diocese of New York, and I said that to Bishop Sisk. I told him that I would do anything for a neighbor.” Barnes, who grew up in Washington, DC, refers to Bishop Mark Sisk as a neighbor because their mothers are both parishioners at Trinity Church in Washington. “Anything for a homeboy.”

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