PC(USA)’s Unified Agency structure takes shape
Stated Clerk and Executive Director shares plan with agency staff
LOUISVILLE — After months of discernment, meetings and prayer, the leadership of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s emerging unified agency has shared the new organizational structure and ministry alignment with staff. While the plan will require a shift in ministry structure and placement, existing ministry work will continue with no planned staff reductions.
“This new alignment of ministry and support will allow us to better position ourselves as a partner both within and beyond the PC(USA),” said the Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly and Executive Director of the Unified Agency. “The hope is that it will foster more and better collaboration with partners, as well as within the agency, while also building toward an organization of accountability, trust and sustainability.”
In September, the Unification Commission approved the new organizational structure into four areas of work. This week, Oh announced the leads of the four areas of work, as well as the sub-areas and their leads.
- Denominational Life and Witness: Barry Creech
- Advocacy and Witness
- General Assembly Support
- Interpretation and Communication
- Leader Development
- Partnership within the PC(USA): Corey Schlosser-Hall
- Mid Council Connections
- Restorative Justice
- Faithful Innovation
- Mid Council Grants
- Stony Point Center
- Partnerships Beyond the PC(USA): Mienda Uriarte
- Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
- Global Ecumenical Partnerships
- Organizational Planning and Operations: Kerry Rice
- Financial Planning and Effectiveness
- Operations and Meeting Support
- Organizational Development
Oh says the work is being shaped by four values, built on the foundation of Presbyterian values of representation and full participation, which call the emerging agency to be nimble, trustworthy, learning and courageous. It will also focus on five priorities: thriving mid councils, disciple formation and leader development, life of the denomination, restorative justice and witness, and unifying.
“We recognize that moving to this new model will take time and will require us to be flexible,” she said. “But with all the changes occurring in the world and in the church, I believe that’s what participating in God’s mission, participating in all the work that God does, in this time and place, means for the agency and for the church. I’m grateful for all those who are praying as we continue this journey.”
The new structure is slated to take effect the week of Nov. 17.
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