Governance & Ministry Task Force Update
Since shortly after the February 2011 Annual Meeting, the Governance & Ministry Task Force has been hard at work creating a new lay governance structure for Federated Church. The objectives for the new structure given to the Task Force by Central Council were:
• Decreased focus on “church work” (management) and increased focus on “the work of the church” (ministry)
• Direct support for existing and new ministry programs, with a goal of creating a “church of 2000 ministers”
• Allow for greater continuity of leadership to support long-term goals and strategies
Over the course of those months, the G&M Task Force has:
• Interviewed other churches that have made similar governance changes
• Created a new proposed structure that meets the objectives
• Presented the new structure to Central Council, board and committee members, church staff, and the congregation at large. Feedback from these groups has been incorporated.
It is now time to take the next step and begin implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. Time is short because the desire is to have a list of candidates for the new structure for the congregation to vote on at the Annual Meeting on February 19, 2012.
In order to accomplish that, Central Council held a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 22nd at 9:45 in the Sanctuary. A motion was voted on to “set aside Articles VI and VII of the Constitution for a two year period of discernment while we implement a new structure of Governance and Ministry”. The two sections cover the current Central Council and Board structure and responsibilities. This is necessary to allow a different structure to be used. The motion passed unanimously.
The approach of “setting aside” the current structure and not voting on a new structure at this time is based upon the recommendation of other churches that have made similar changes. For them, a period of time to “try out” their new structure was necessary to fine-tune it. The new organization will start with the structure recommended by the Task Force, but it will be improved over time. At the end of the two year period (January 2014), a new permanent structure will be presented to the congregation to replace Articles VI and VII of the Constitution.
Central Council and the G&M Task Force urge all Federated members to become familiar with the new Leadership and Ministry plan. Please review the materials below to become informed:
So please become informed, ask questions, and participate in Federated’s next step in moving towards a church fulfilling its purpose:
The purpose of Federated Church is to joyfully embody the living spirit of God, welcome all people, transform lives, and enable everyone to love and serve the world by the power of Jesus Christ.
The Governance and Ministry Task Force members:
Sunny Doxey, Bill Kenneweg, Lori Urogdy Eiler, Ken Horner, Trish Rouru, David Lewis, Helen Pointer, Barbara Hudson, Martine Scheuermann
Central Council members:
Helen Pointer, Phil Fogarty, Todd Smith, Christian Brown, Hamilton Throckmorton, Dan Kershner, Paul Libby, Pete Bednar,Thea Mozingo, Marc Vitantonio, Joe Hudson, Barb Church