Clergy at one time might, for example, claim as many members as possible, forgetting, perhaps, to remove from the list those who have died or moved to another parish; a subsequent introduction of ‘ potential giving’ or per capita assessment for a maintenance -of - ministry - fund could result in their rapidly removing any ‘ dead wood’in order to reduce the costly membership figures to an absolute minimum.
Clergy at one time might, for example, claim as many members as possible, forgetting, perhaps, to remove from the list those who have died or moved to another parish; a subsequent introduction of ‘ potential giving’ or per capita assessment for a maintenance -of - ministry - fund could result in their rapidly removing any ‘ old pieces of furniture order to reduce the costly membership figures to an absolute minimum.