The Executive Council of the Diocese of Colorado has approved a sweeping plan to restructure the diocese from 10 deaneries to five regions. The change, which became effective July 1, is the product of a year-long analysis of diocesan structure mandated by the 1996 diocesan convention.

An ad hoc committee, called the Congregational Development Task Force, determined that the deanery structure was ineffective to implement the diocese's vision that churches in Colorado are "outposts for mission."

The task force concluded that diocesan policy and priorities must be generated from within congregations instead of being imposed on them by the diocesan office.

"We're fighting against a hierarchical, trickle-down structure (from bishop to people) that doesn't work very well," noted the Rt. Rev. William Winterrowd, Bishop of Colorado.

A missioner appointed by the bishop supervises each region. The five missioners are senior clergy from prominent congregations.

By 1999, the diocese expects to generate the diocesan program budget from within the regions. Missioners and their congregations are responsible for clergy placement, congregational development, and the health of existing congregations.

Additionally, the missioners will serve as the first line of response for matters requiring conflict resolution.

A $50,000 budget supports the restructuring for the remainder of 1998. A proposed budget of $100,000 will be submitted to diocesan convention to fund regional operations in 1999.

The diocese does not anticipate sweeping changes to its constitutions and canons, as the existing ones establishing the deaneries are flexible enough to cover the new structure. Several housekeeping changes are expected.