wfn.org | Downsizing proposal forwarded to General Assembly

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

Date: May 2, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-28

    OAK BROOK, Ill. (DNS) -- The 1997 General Board of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has forwarded
a proposal to the General Assembly that alters a
previous plan aimed at reducing its main planning
bodies. 

    The initiative endorsed by the  97 General Board,
meeting here April 26-29, reduces board voting
membership to 121. This action overrides the group's
1996 recommendation of just 91 voting members. 

    The expanded figure is the direct result of an
increase in the number of voters chosen to represent
regions. Regions with large memberships would be allowed
one extra representative for each 10,000 members.

    If approved by three-fourths of the assembly, the
proposal to "reformulate" the General Board and
Administrative Committee will amend portions of The
Design and the Standing Rules for both decision-making
bodies.  

    The reformulation plan grants voice and vote to
five regional ministers, three general unit presidents,
and one theological education representative, none of
whom previously had voting privileges. Currently, all 35
regional ministers and 11 general unit presidents are ex
officio members without votes. The change to a
representative system for these persons will result in
reductions of 38-40 members on the board.

    Other ex officio members of the downsized planning
body would include the four former general ministers and
presidents and the parliamentarian. None of these
individuals will have voting rights.

    Administrative Committee membership would drop
from 45 to 24 persons, 16 of whom would be elected
members. The remainder includes the general minister and
president, one general unit president, the three
moderators and two regional ministers. Again, the
parliamentarian would be an ex officio member without a
vote.

    Despite the proposed changes, current rules
regarding lay and clergy representation will continue,
as will guidelines setting ethnic minority
representation at a minimum of 20 percent. The same term
limits also will apply.

    General Board reductions are to be implemented
over four years with current members serving out their
terms. Seventeen persons were nominated to serve on the
General Board during the meeting. This reduces the board
by 16 persons, helping it conform to the new plan.
Further reductions will come through succeeding General
Board classes elected by the regions in 1998 and the
General Assembly in 1999. 

    The smaller Administrative Committee is to be
elected by the General Board in 1998.

    Two central reasons sparked the downsizing
measure: significant cost savings for maintaining the
smaller structures; and a desire to help both decision-making 
bodies more effectively carry out their planning
roles. Annual cost savings from a reduced General Board,
alone, are estimated at more than $65,000. 

    One way the proposal will save money is because it
will not require the attendance of all 46 regional and
general unit executives. For some board members, the
presence of all the church leaders was more important
than saving money.  

    Not having the executives present can limit the
board's ability to make sound decisions, according to
the Rev. William T. Nowlan, Lansing, Kan. "It is
mandatory for this board to have the information that
the regional ministers have."

    Board members, however, voted down an amendment to
restore the fully funded participation of all regional
ministers.

    The real issue is what best serves the church,
said General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm. The
real problem with the amendment, according to Hamm, was
that the board would be overloaded with white male
clergy. 

    If the church is going to downsize the whole
board, general and regional  representation should be
downsized as well, said Tennessee Regional Minister Glen
J. Stewart.

    It is important that regional ministers be here
every year, according to the Rev. Doug Harvey,
Panhandle, Texas. The regional ministers serve as a 
"go-between to interpret the general church for
congregations," he said. To remove these "front line
interpreters" will "damage us more in the long run." 

    In other action, the board discussed a proposal
reaffirming its role as the chief planning body for the
denomination. Planning is to happen at a churchwide
planning meeting during off-assembly years. The first
one is scheduled for 1998.

    General Board also forwarded several sense-of-assembly 
resolutions recommending increased accountability to stem 
cases of police abuse; calling the church to monitor welfare 
reform; opposing "English only" initiatives; ending the U.S. 
embargo of Cuba; and asking congregations to help address 
urban employment. 

    The board also recommended to the General Assembly
that it commit to begin a process of research and
reflection concerning the participation of gay and
lesbian persons in the full life and ministry of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  

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DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director