Episcopal Church Center Reduces Staff and Simplifies Structure
Episcopal News Service. October 4, 1991 [91187]
Faced with a million dollar shortfall in the current fiscal year, and in response to a mandate from last summer's General Convention for "structural reform," the presiding bishop and his executive staff announced staff changes and unveiled a new simplified structure.
Faced with a million dollar shortfall in the current fiscal year, and in response to a mandate from last summer's General Convention for "structural reform," the presiding bishop and his executive staff announced staff changes and unveiled a new simplified structure.
Describing a "sense of sadness and loss" that accompanied eight months of planning that reduced the national staff from 291 positions to 239, Browning added that he felt a "deep sense of thanksgiving" for the contributions of those who left the staff. Despite the pain of the moment, Browning said he faced the future with "a sense of peace coupled with enthusiasm."
Terminations were made on the basis of functions rather than personalities, Browning said. The new staff configuration was achieved through 30 terminations, five retirements, plus changes in some positions and combining others. The changes meet affirmative action guidelines, Browning pointed out.
The presiding bishop also unveiled a new structure for the Church Center comprised of four groups -- Administrative and Financial, Program, Planning and Development, and Support for the General Convention and Interim Bodies.
Among changes in the Program Group, Browning appointed Diane M. Porter to head Advocacy, Witness and Justice (which now includes Episcopal Migrations Ministry) and the Rev. J. Patrick Mauney to head the new Partnerships office, incorporating the former World Missions unit and Women in Mission and Ministry. The Communication unit remains the same but Education for Mission and Ministry has been renamed Education, Evangelism and Ministry Development.
Treasurer Ellen Cooke said the cuts involved "very painful decisions" because the church was losing the services of people "who were of great value to this community." Yet she said she was convinced that a "fair and equitable package" of termination benefits was "the very best we could have provided." Those leaving the staff receive three months termination salary, severance pay based on length of service, out-placement services, and health benefits for six months.
"This is a day of transition, the end of a structure that served us imperfectly but well for the last five years," said Barry Menuez, senior executive for the Program Group. "We must live in a tension between our vision and priorities -- and budget realities."
Some staff members like Bruce Woodcock, deputy to Menuez, saw the handwriting on the wall last January when the Church Center initiated a hiring and wage freeze. Woodcock realized that his own position was vulnerable but he was still shocked that he was included on the list of terminations released September 24. "There is no easy way to do this and it's painful for everyone, especially the presiding bishop."
After the initial shock, some staff members expressed criticism of how the cuts were handled. "Many of us were stunned, especially by the demand that those terminated must leave by the weekend," said Margaret Larom, whose position as information officer for World Missions was eliminated. She and others expressed frustration in trying to tie up loose ends in a few days.
Some staff members whose positions were eliminated expressed keen disappointment that the presiding bishop was not present during the week the cuts were announced. "Most people on the staff have an intense personal loyalty to him and needed his pastoral presence in this painful time," Larom said.
Browning told the In-House meeting in his opening remarks that he was sensitive to those feelings but felt he had to trust the process and those he had empowered to make the decisions. Browning was able to speak with Larom and a number of staff over the weekend, on his return from a mini-sabbatical, and said in an interview that he found those conversations "renewing" because they revealed a deep sense of vocation and an openness to the future. He reported that all those terminated were using the out-placement service and that several already had job offers.
The Rev. Linda Grenz, whose position in overseas development was also cut, conducted a Friday noon Eucharist that had an obvious healing effect on those who attended. Grenz was among those who expressed disappointment that the termination process seemed more corporate than "identifiably Christian in character."
In his discussion with the staff, Browning said that there may be additional cuts in the future but cautioned against overreaction. He asked for a "new and deeper commitment," asking the staff to bring their best to their work. "If you can't make this commitment you should consider finding other employment," he warned. "The time of lackluster performance and negative spirit is over."
Browning said in an interview he had no intention of stifling disagreement or constructive criticism but reinforced his contention that "it is time to pull together and support each other." He expressed impatience with what he called "mean-spiritedness" and said it was a waste of valuable energy needed to deal with significant issues facing the church.
In an effort to provide "accountability" to the whole church, Browning will ask his senior executives to provide him with quarterly reports "to show how we are getting on with our mission." He also reinstated the "diocesan linkage program" to enable a "listening process" between the national staff and local church. "This church does believe in itself and God's power to move into new challenges," he concluded.
Browning's comments were echoed by Bishop Furman Stough who said, "We are in for some rough times. There is discontent throughout the church. Yet I am sure we have the spirit, skills, and good sense to face the future."
By the end of In-House that "good sense" was beginning to emerge as reports from staff meetings revealed a new spirit and determination to live into the new structure. "We are coming together in a very creative way," Diane Porter said. "This new structure will make it easier to respond to our priorities and the needs of the local church."