Franconia's plan to dismiss staff on hold
by Anna GroffPrint Article Email to a Friend
Franconia Mennonite Conference posted a statement on their Web site on March 15 that announced their "plan to lay off staff is on hold while an indepth review of our conference is undertaken."
The Mennonite reported on the board's decision to dismiss most of their conference staff in TMail on March 2. Read about the initial decision here.
The following is the beginning of their statement posted on their Web site:
"We deeply regret the pain and confusion that has resulted from our announced plan to lay off conference staff later this year. As a board, we acknowledge that we have not handled this well. Randy Heacock, assistant conference moderator, adds, 'We have been sobered and are distressed by the erosion of trust that has resulted from our actions.'
The plan to lay off staff is on hold while an in-depth review of our conference is undertaken. This review will include our conference, its board, executive minister, staff and congregations. It will involve listening broadly and assessing the various aspects of our conference as well as the recent decision regarding staffing.
The conference has retained LaVern Yutzy, a consulting associate with Mennonite Health Services Alliance. In addition to his work with other conferences and Anabaptist health care organizations, LaVern has just completed a one year review of Mennonite Church USA. We anticipate that his review will include recommendations about changes that are needed and that it will provide guidance about how we might move forward ... "
Read more of the statement here
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It is amazing how church institutional leaders can go from trust to mistrust. When this occurs it is extremely hard for leaders--executives and boards--to restore trust. The best plan is for boards and leaders with great humility to acknowledge the mistakes and resign from their positions. If resignations are not offered voluntarily the church institutional constituent groups should politely suggest the resolution. Church insitutional governing boards occasionally take actions too quickly or do not give adequate guidance to their executives resulting in processes similar to the Franconia Conference action which has destroyed trust that probanbly can not be restored without a change of leadership at the board level and executive level. Those of us serving on church boards need to humbly acknowledge the limits of our wisdom in making decisions. Furthermore, the service as a board member or executive of a church organization, or for that matter any organization, imposes on an individual fiduciary responsibilites--fiduciary care for the organbization mission and the constituents the organization serves. Those of us holding such responsibilities need to be reminded of uor duties to serve others with love, grace and mercy.