On November 1, the national office of the Anglican Church of Canada will be restructured according to the mission priorities of the new strategic plan, Vision 2019, adopted at General Synod 2010. Fourteen positions have been affected and ten positions were eliminated. Six individuals received layoff notices, while others have been offered different or new jobs.
This restructuring honours the commitment General Synod made in 2008 to depart from a trend of deficit budgeting. To reach a draft balanced budget for 2011, Management Team had to cut close to $1 million from costs, including positions and program expenses. The budget must now be approved by the Financial Management Committee and the Council of General Synod.
The restructuring includes these major changes:
-A reduction in the work of the Partnerships Department, including the elimination of four positions and an end to programs including international grants, the Theological Students’ International Internship Program, and Volunteers in Mission
-An end to library services beginning in 2012
-Streamlining General Synod event and travel planning into one staff position
Under the new structure, General Synod will be divided into two broad areas. The General Secretary, the Ven. Dr. Michael Pollesel, will oversee governance and support services. These include the areas of Stewarding of Resources (Financial Management and Philanthropy); Telling our Stories (Communications) and Honouring our Commitments (work related to the residential schools agreement and the Anglican Fund for Healing and Reconciliation).
The Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, will oversee ministries and programs, including Nurturing our Common Life (Faith, Worship, and Ministry), as well as Building Relationships (global relations within the Anglican Communion; ecumenical, interfaith, and government relations; and Indigenous ministries).
The Vision 2019 strategic planning process gathered input from a wide range of Anglicans. The final report identified seven priorities and five practices to guide the work of General Synod. They are as follows:
Priorities:
1. Develop leadership education for mission, evangelism, and ministry
2. Support ministry through the Council of the North
3. Walk with Indigenous Peoples on a journey of healing and wholeness
4. Work toward peace and justice
5. Engage young people in mutual growth for mission
6. Enliven our worship
7. Be leaders in the Anglican Communion and in ecumenical actions
Practices:
1. Create structures that work for the church now and for God’s mission
2. Improve and enliven communications
3. Keep an eye on statistical trends
4. Gather financial resources to equip ministry across Canada
5. Build bridges, not fences
The Vision 2019 report also upheld the Marks of Mission. They are:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
The restructuring was initially announced to staff on October 5. The new structure is considered transitional and will be reviewed in November 2011.
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