Key Points in the Reorganization Discussion

The latest attempt to reorganize ABCUSA originated in denominational staff meetings in 2005. The General Board agreed. In an ambitious meeting schedule, the GEC intended to present a proposal to the General Board in November 2006 so that it could come to the Biennial in 2007. While essential things did get done, the GEC did not meet the deadline. Hence the earliest that a proposal could be considered is the Biennial in 2009.

What has been done? The GEC has surveyed the denomination, identified critical areas of concern, presented eight criteria for evaluating any proposal, and periodically reported to the General Board and received its input. A small writing team has been working within the GEC. The previous post is the written progress report that GEC gave to the General Board in June 2007.

It is important to remember that there is no formal proposal at this point, but certain features seem to be taking shape as the GEC continues to work on reorganization. Obviously, there are many details to be filled in before the General Board considers a proposal in 2008, which could go to the Biennial in 2009. First I will identify what I consider to be seven key points in the report, and then I will offer my personal comments on each.

Key points:

1. We have accepted “federation” as a better way to understand a national denomination, and are intentionally seeking to organize ourselves accordingly.

2. The interlocking boards created by SCOR/SCODS 40 years ago would be undone. BIM, BNM and MMBB would once again become self-sustaining boards. They would certainly be much smaller. We would probably use “Class B Directors” elected to each of the program boards by the Board of General Ministries whose authority would be limited to corporation affairs, such as bylaw changes, as a way to assure ABCUSA connections.

3. The General Board would become the Board of General Ministries (BGM). It also would be much smaller (probably less than 30)—it would no longer be proportionately representative. Board members might be elected during the Biennial, with others elected by the Board itself. It would still function as the legal board for ABCUSA.

4. These four legally independent boards (BIM, BNM, MMBB, and BGM) would draw their members from a National Leader Development Pool. Every ABC entity would have the privilege to submit names to this pool. The data would be refreshed/renewed every five years. The maintenance of this data base is under the oversight of the National Staff Leadership Council.

5. The National Staff Leadership Council would consist of regional executive ministers and the executive directors of the boards (about 50 people). It is essentially the present General Executive Council. Its key task would be to facilitate implementation of ideas that come from the Missional Table.

6. The Missional Table is a new concept. This large gathering might consist of local church and caucus representatives, regional executive ministers, executive directors from the boards, executive directors of covenanting Affiliated Ministry Organization and executive directors of covenanting colleges and seminaries. It might meet only every two or three years for the purpose of identifying national goals and priorities. These become recommendations or challenges to the covenanting partners. The Missional Table would have no authority to implement, legislate, or create policy. It would be the main connection between the national denomination and local congregations.

7. The Biennial would continue to be a “family” gathering, primarily for worship, education, and celebration. Certain governance tasks would continue to reside with the Biennial, such as the election of officers, and changes to the bylaws.