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December 2006 / January 2007
A new provisional staffing plan has been implemented in the Central Association, in response to concerns expressed by clergy and lay church leaders that they need more support from Conference staff on an ongoing basis.
According to Jim Antal, Conference Minister and President, four Associate Conference Ministers will work with the churches of the Central Association. Michael Penn-Strah will staff the Committee on Ministry and the Board of Directors as a primary liaison and resource. Peter Wells will serve the Core Sector, Dale Hempen will serve the East Sector, and Tom Clough will serve the North Sector, offering pastoral support for congregations and pastors. However, churches already being served in the search and call process will continue to work with the previously assigned staff person until the process is completed.
“Over the past six months, it has become clear that each local congregation needs a primary support and contact person, whether or not they are undergoing a pastoral search or a crisis situation,” said Antal. “Although the entire staffing structure of the Conference will be subject to further change based on the outcome of the Listnening Process, we hope this provisional arrangement will better meet the needs of the churches of the Central Association in the months ahead.”
Penn-Strah presented the new plan to the Central Associ-ation Board of Directors in September.
“Responding to the many conversations they and Conference Minister and President Jim Antal have had, Mike let us know that we have been heard – in particular, heard that the original restructuring plan wasn’t working well for us or for the Associate Conference Ministers,” said Lee Atherton, Communications Minister for the Central Association.
The Central Association has been working under a transition plan since last June, when the Associate Conference Minister who had been assigned to that area was laid off due to budget cutbacks.