05548
Oct. 11, 2005

WARC unveils plan to cut costs,
deepen members’ involvement

by Stephen Brown
Ecumenical News International  

EVIAN, France — A new, slimmer structure for the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) will reduce costs and increase members’ involvement, according to leaders of the alliance representing 75 million Christians worldwide.

     “We have tried to build a structure which gives a much better ownership out there in the churches,” said WARC’s president, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, after the changes were approved by the group’s executive committee on Oct. 11. “It is a different way of operating that is less costly.”       

     The plans will reduce the size of the core staff at WARC headquarters in Geneva and create networks of members to deal with key issues such as economic and environmental justice, theology, mission and gender justice.

     The alliance has 218 member churches.      

     Kirkpatrick described the plan as a blueprint for a “purpose-driven alliance.”

     “We are moving away from what some would see as a more bureaucratic department structure,” he told Ecumenical News International.     

     The alliance’s general secretary, the Rev. Setri Nyomi, said the staff reduction could be accomplished by attrition. He said he is “excited” about the prospect of involving more people in the work of the alliance.      

     Earlier, the Rev. Gottfried Locher, of Switzerland, in presenting the finance report, said the alliance’s member churches need to feel part of the organization. “If they feel ownership, there seems to be money around,” he said.      

     Participants in the meeting were told that just 58 per cent of WARC’s member churches paid an annual contribution in 2004. Unpaid membership contributions amounted to 160,430 Swiss francs ($124,000).