wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] WARC unveils plan to cut costs,

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Note #8961 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05548
Oct. 11, 2005

WARC unveils plan to cut costs,
deepen members' involvement

by Stephen Brown 
Ecumenical News International 
      
EVIAN, France - A new, slimmer structure for the World Alliance of Reformed
Churches (WARC) will reduce costs and increase members' involvement,
according to leaders of the alliance representing 75 million Christians
worldwide.

      "We have tried to build a structure which gives a much better ownership
out there in the churches," said WARC's president, the Rev. Clifton
Kirkpatrick, after the changes were approved by the group's executive
committee on Oct. 11. "It is a different way of operating that is less
costly."  
       
      The plans will reduce the size of the core staff at WARC headquarters
in Geneva and create networks of members to deal with key issues such as
economic and environmental justice, theology, mission and gender justice.

The alliance has 218 member churches.  
       
      Kirkpatrick described the plan as a blueprint for a "purpose-driven
alliance." 

     "We are moving away from what some would see as a more bureaucratic
department structure," he told Ecumenical News International.  
       
      The alliance's general secretary, the Rev. Setri Nyomi, said the staff
reduction could be accomplished by attrition. He said he is "excited" about
the prospect of involving more people in the work of the alliance.  
       
      Earlier, the Rev. Gottfried Locher, of Switzerland, in presenting the
finance report, said the alliance's member churches need to feel part of the
organization. "If they feel ownership, there seems to be money around," he
said.  
       
      Participants in the meeting were told that just 58 per cent of WARC's
member churches paid an annual contribution in 2004. Unpaid membership
contributions amounted to 160,430 Swiss francs ($124,000).   
       
      The Rev. Peter Bukowski, moderator of Germany's Reformed Alliance,
noted that more than half of the alliance's revenues came from churches in
his country, which are themselves facing financial pressures. "This is a
totally unbalanced situation," Bukowski said.

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