Parish Services to be restructured
Filed Under: ad hoc, BPS, Conference of Presidents, Convention, COP, Parish Services, SC, synod, Synodical Council
Delegates adopted a revised resolution on Thursday afternoon to restructure the Board for Parish Services. The original resolution, submitted Wednesday, supported the Ad Hoc Commission's recommendation to eliminate the Parish Services administrator and board. The revised resolution replaces the board with a Parish Services Council and places it under the direct responsibility of the Conference of Presidents. The revision was made Wednesday night after delegates voiced their concerns about eliminating the board.
"When we sat down in committee last night, we had three Parish Services representatives say that they appreciate very much the encouragement, the input, and the coordination they get by having a board," says Rev. Joel Jenswold, chairman of the Strengthening Congregations Floor Committee. "That's why the structure we suggested retained that council."
In the new structure, the commissions retain their functionality and their chairmen, even though the budget resolution passed today may require cutting up to four administrators. One of the remaining administrators will serve as coordinator of Parish Services, which replaces the former position of Parish Services administrator. The coordinator will serve as an advisory member of the Synodical Council and report to the Conference of Presidents.
"I think in this way it keeps in the spirit of what the Ad Hoc Commission intended," says Jenswold. "What they really saw was that natural connection between the Conference of Presidents and the work of Parish Services. Both groups have a vested interest in working directly with the congregations of the synod. I think it's a win-win, and it helps us to strengthen our congregations."
Read more about this and other resolutions online.
