Bishop proposes new churchwide structure

Lutheran, The, Nov 2003 by Sevig, Julie B

Even before he moved his things t into the 1lth floor corner office at 8765 Higgins Rd., Mark S. Hanson envisioned a different structure for the organization the ELCA calls "churchwide."

That dream has grown into a design proposal the presiding bishop unveiled in September. If adopted, the plan will cut 41 positions, including six executive directors; dissolve the Higher Education and Schools, Congregational Ministries and Outreach divisions and the Multicultural Ministries and Women commissions; and form five departments (see below).

The 21-page proposal (see www.elca.org/planning) affects nearly every churchwide unit, shifting responsibilities and authority-in several cases to the Office of the Presiding Bishop. The plan makes the Church Council a board of directors. "That's what they're elected to be," Hanson said. "It's much cleaner to have a board of directors be a board of directors."

The churchwide organization's services to outdoor ministries would be phased out by 2005; Lutheran Men in Mission would become selffunding by 2005; and the church will relate to early childhood centers, elementary and secondary schools through an education association.

Strategic planning

Hanson uses the words "fluid" and "creative" to describe the proposal, which he says reflects the mission emphasis adopted by the 2003 Churchwide Assembly (October, page 17).

The proposal was influenced by a process of strategic planning that Hanson estimates involved 30,000 ELCA members. Strategic planning questions dominated synod assemblies and a variety of board and committee meetings during the past two years, resulting in five ,strategic directions for the church. They are:

* Support congregations in being faithful, welcoming and generous.

* Assist members and expressions of the church to grow in evangelical outreach.

* Step forward as a public church, witnessing boldly.

* Deepen and extend global, ecumenical and interfaith relationships.

* Bring forth and support leaders.

"We have a very complex organization for a time when organizations need to be more focused, where less energy is taken in keeping the complexity of the organization going, maximizing people and resources for the sake of the work we're called to do," Hanson said in an interview.

The proposal's fine-tuning and potential adoption rests with the 33-member Church Council, which meets Nov. 14-16 in Charlotte, N.C. Until that meeting, Hanson and his executive for administration, Charles Miller-the design's authors-say the proposal is just that: a proposal. They continue to receive input from their cabinet (made up of churchwide unit directors), the Conference of Bishops, churchwide boards and committees, and individuals.

The new structure, which would become effective Feb. 1, also proposes eliminating boards and committees now attached to churchwide units. They would be replaced by multiunit networks and yearly consultations involving a representative from each synod-not unlike round-table meetings involving hundreds of people and held this fall at the churchwide offices around strategic planning topics. Hanson says he would rather bring people together for focused planning than expect people to commit to six-year terms on boards.

In this proposal, Hanson likens the churchwide offices to an Internet server "that connects networks for the sake of communication and mission," calling this "a much more dynamic ongoing process of conversation and collaboration" and "more reflective of the age in which we live."

Critics abound

Critique of the plan began immediately. Opponents have criticized everything from its development-"decisions made by two people"-to what they perceive are the proposal's losses-particularly the voices of ethnic minorities and women through the two commissions.

"When I first looked at it, I thought it looked as if everything had gone directly to the office of the bishop. It's very controlled," said Agnes McClain of Los Angeles, who participated in the roundtable on strengthening congregations. "Who made these decisions? Were people of color in on the decisions? Were women? Did it involve people who may be laid off? Were executive directors consulted? It looks like two people made these decisions."

To those who say the proposal looks like a power grab, Hanson says: "There is a distinction between power and authority. This church grants authority to the presiding bishop to be this church's pastor, chief executive officer and president of the churchwide organization-responsible for the church's life and ministry."

Executive director desks for multicultural ministries and women in church and society, both located in the Office of the Presiding Bishop and appointed by the bishop and Church Council, would replace the two commissions. Multicultural ministries also would be a focus in the new Department for Congregational Life and Evangelical Outreach.

"We have got to put the commitment to grow as a multicultural church ... a church among the poor, in the department that has the resources, the money, the staff to actually do that," Hanson said. "So we take that commitment and put it dead center in the new Department for Congregational Life and Evangelical Outreach.