Note #9115 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:
06073 Feb. 9, 206
GAC will be asked to create new relief/development agency
New corporation would manage PC(USA)'s charity, disaster-aid programs
by Alexa Smith
LOUISVILLE - The Worldwide Ministries Division Committee (WMDC) voted Thursday (Feb. 9) to recommend that the General Assembly Council (GAC) create a charitable relief-and-development corporation to manage the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s disaster-response and hunger-relief programs, as well as its aid to Armenians.
In the subcommittee that originally made the recommendation, the debate largely had to do with when to create such a corporation, but the debate before the WMDC focused on whether to do so.
The programs involved are the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), and the Jinishian Memorial Program, an endowed fund for the benefit of Armenians in need.
The Self Development of People Program (SDOP) and International Health Ministries would not be included initially, but might be added later.
PHP, PDA and SDOP are all funded by the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering - the denomination's largest annual offering - and the new corporation would retain that funding.
The full GAC will take up the recommendation Saturday.
Proponents of the corporation argue that such an agency would remain tightly controlled by the PC(USA), but would have greater impact and a broader funding base.
Former Moderator Susan Andrews, of Bethesda, MD, said: "This will solidify and focus energy at the local level. ... (and heighten)the ... visibility of the Presbyterian church."
The relief-and-development agency would be eligible for corporate matching funds - which is not true of churches. It also would be eligible for government funds and for evaluation by charity-rating organizations.
PDA Coordinator Susan Ryan told the Presbyterian News Service that incorporation would allow the denomination to respond more fully to the "felt needs" of Presbyterians and increase the visibility of the church's ministry.
"It will also bring the disaster and development work of the denomination closer, and allow for more synergy and common planning, multiplying our witness and reach as Presbyterians," Ryan said.
There was some opposition.
The denomination's mission-funding enterprise - including the current $40 million Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts and Hands (JH&H) campaign - would be hampered by competition with the new corporation, argued Bill Saul, the campaign chair.
Saul said part of the impetus behind the mission initiative is to centralize funds development. "I think, anytime you form a new corporation with its own board, it may be wonderful, but the church loses a great deal of control," he argued.
His was the only opposing vote.
Andrews made the opposite argument. She said it's not about competing for dollars, but raising the visibility and focus of Presbyterian relief efforts, to the benefit of the denomination. She said parishioners are frustrated that PDA doesn't get enough media attention in times of disaster, and this change would help it get more recognition.
Supporters said that, although the new corporation would have its own board, it would still be connected tightly to the GAC.
General Assembly Counsel Eric Graninger said the agency would be structured much like the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP). He said the council would have the ability to "reach in" and exercise its authority if necessary - although the board would have ultimate control.
The corporation's board would be elected by the GAC and confirmed by the General Assembly, and the first president of the corporation be nominated by WMD. Succeeding presidents would be nominated by the GAC. The corporation's president would report to both the board of directors and to the director of WMD.
The agency would be headquartered in the Presbyterian Center here.
Ryan told WMD that the GAC would actually have better oversight of the new corporation than it has over the current program. The GAC now receives a summary of PDA's work, which is coordinated by an advisory committee.
"I welcome a board," Ryan said. "It will be far more engaged in setting direction and strategy."
PDA's budget has grown quickly in recent years. In 2005 it was about $40 million, including donations for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Andrews said that it makes sense to act now, while the denominational structure and staffing are in flux. "If this is going to happen anyhow ... this it the time - scary as it is - for this to happen."
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