Although a high growth rate (60 percent) and above-average income and education levels make Rowlett an attractive place to plant a church, it is one of "at least a dozen sites that need an Episcopal church," diocesan church planting chair Rob Milbank said.

"We've done a lot of studies and talked to a lot of people," he told the Executive Council Jan. 17. "Really, it's like shooting fish in a barrel."

Holy Trinity-Garland has agreed to partner with the Rowlett project, Milbank said. "In every case we have look at, churches nearby proposed plants enthusiastically support them."

Three months ago the Executive Council gave the go-ahead to plant a congregation in West McKinney west of Interstate 45. The diocese's strategic plan calls for the planting of two churches per year for the next five years.

Demographic surveys show that both West McKinney and Rowlett contain high numbers of people favorably inclined to attend an Episcopal church, although none exists in those specific communities.

"We are currently seeking names and resumes of church planters," The Rev. Canon Dr. Neal Michell told the Executive Council. "We're looking to hire two, but we want to be very careful and make sure we get the best fit' for each plant."

Council member discussed the appropriateness of budgeting funds for land acquisition in its operating budget. Currently, $249,044 is budgeted for land acquisition. The practice began two years ago, but no funds have been spent. Some questions of the budget item arose at the 2002 diocesan convention.

"Some people feel that land acquisition should not come from operating expenses," Bishop James M. Stanton said. "I guess they feel new churches should be funded by a special capital campaign. But I don't think any responsible business would not plan on funding growth in its future."

Executive Council member and outreach chair David Pyke agreed.

"Our strategic plan calls for us to plant churches," he said. "This goes to the very core of what we are supposed to be doing."