We originally began contemplating a change to our structure because we have had such difficulty filling the ministry team positions required by our by-laws. As we began to learn about other structures, we realized there were other fundamental problems with our current structure. Not only are we unable to fill our teams due to the rigid requirements, but we have no one focused on either the mission of the church or strategic planning. In fact, our council and staff are currently busy with daily work. If we want our church to thrive into the future, our organization must become sensitive and responsive to the needs of the ever-evolving church.

In the new structure there will be:

• fewer elected positions.

• a Governing Board focused on developing the long-term strategy rather than a council focused on day-to-day work.

• a Director of Ministries, the Sr. Minister, overseeing all ministry work

• fluid ministry teams with no required terms of service, which are aligned with the mission of the church.

We believe this will result in:

• an agile, responsive, and inclusive organization.

• leadership that engages the congregation regularly and is focused on strategic planning.

• membership that is highly active and engaged in ways that they feel called.

• and ministries that are clearly aligned with our mission and vision.

The role of the congregation is unchanged. Key decisions including hiring clergy, electing lay leaders, approving budgets, and approving other important actions remain with the congregation.  

There will be no direct financial impact. Start-up funding is available for a new inspired ministry.

Our current council is made up of our ministers and team leaders.  These individuals are focused on getting the ministry work of the church done.

The Governing Board is meant to oversee the long-term picture rather than manage ministries.  It delegates authority for ministries to those who lead the daily work of the church.  Therefore, led by our mission and values, the Governing Board can focus on strategic planning and guiding our church into the future.

In the current structure, each team’s focus, membership, and even meeting cadence is defined in our by-laws. Congregants may serve on a team if they have an interest in one or more ministries carried out by that team. And the head of the team is responsible for the activities of that team while also serving on the Church Council.

In the proposed new structure, teams are more fluid. Anyone can lead a team inside of a ministry area where they feel called to serve (with guidance and support from Area Coordinators). Team composition, meeting cadence, goals and activities, and even how long the team exists is up to the team itself. The focus of each team is specific so that members are able to serve where they are most inspired to do so. 

Each of our current ministries has a home in the proposed new structure. The work may be similar, but will be carried out in a different structure and potentially by different people. Currently we have a single “Mission and Justice” team, for example, including people with varied interests, tasked with multiple service and justice initiatives, with a single leader. In the proposed new structure, there will be one Ministry Area working for “Justice and Peace” with another focused on rendering loving “Service”. Inside each of these Ministry Areas will be individual teams, each with a specific focus. Some new ministries may be developed as congregants are inspired to serve in new ways, and others may fall away for a time if no one is feeling called to serve in this way at this time. 

The GMTF will lead the work to change the by-laws to reflect the new organization and identify candidates for the Board and ministry leaders to be presented for congregational approval in January. The GMTF will also draft Board policies to give the Board a head-start when its work begins in January. 

We have created this website with more in-depth information about the new structure. Also, handouts describing different aspects of the change will be coming throughout the fall, and a Q&A session has been scheduled after church on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.