By Marathana Prothro, Mennonite Church USA
Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership announces the appointment of LaVern Yutzy of Lititz, Pa., as a consultant on churchwide operations and alignment. Yutzy began in the role Jan. 8.
Yutzy will be responsible to help the denomination to live within its means, eliminate duplication and achieve its goals. He will be called to identify ways of integrating churchwide priorities into the programs and practices of the entire churchwide system as well as propose ways for simplifying the system.
“We are hopeful that LaVern’s work in this role will work to set the stage for further transformation of identity, purpose and organization for Mennonite Church USA,” said executive director Jim Schrag.
The hiring is connected to a February 2008 Executive Board statement that declared “our vision and call to engage in God’s purposes in the world is not adequately supported by our present relationships, behaviors and organization.” Later in 2008, the Executive Board outlined several approaches it would take to strengthen the churchwide system. Some of those areas already have been implemented while a proposed plan for one board of directors for the entire denomination has been deferred.
A June 2008 plan called for the hiring of a chief operations officer who would be responsible for working across the system to improve its effectiveness. Initially, board members and Executive Leadership staff envisioned this to be a full-time, long-term staff person.
However, in light of impending transitions for key leadership roles — namely executive director Jim Schrag and associate executive director Ron Byler — staff felt it would be best to hire a consultant who would be responsible for ensuring forward movement as well as lay a foundation for new leaders to work from once those transitions are completed. The consultant assignment will be part time and last between 10 and 12 months until a new executive director is in place for the denomination and can make decisions about long-term staffing needs.
Executive directors and board chairs of churchwide agencies (Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Publishing Network and MMA) are supportive of this direction.
“LaVern’s leadership experience in complex organizations and organizational dynamics will serve the church well. He brings a demonstrated capacity to listen to many voices and synthesize the key themes,” said Mennonite Publishing Network board chair Phil Bontrager. “His willingness to share his gifts will serve the church well as we seek to better align priorities and focus our efforts across the multiple dimensions of Mennonite Church USA.”
“I am thankful that someone with LaVern’s experience, knowledge and wisdom has accepted this call. His love, commitment and passion for the church are gifts that we will all benefit from,” said Carlos Romero, executive director for Mennonite Education Agency. “I am looking forward to this opportunity to work with LaVern, finding ways in which we can better serve Mennonite Church USA.”
As current board chair for MMA, Yutzy is quite familiar with the process and the need for a serious examination of Mennonite Church USA’s systems and structures. His memo of agreement outlines specific guidelines for addressing any conflicts of interest that may arise while working in the consultant role.
Yutzy served as CEO of Philhaven, a faith-based provider of behavioral health services in south central Pennsylvania that is a part of Mennonite Health Services Alliance, from 1991 to 2008. He started working with the organization 13 years earlier as a clinical social worker and spent time in other roles before taking on the chief position. He has experience directing strategic planning processes, providing leadership training and consulting with area conferences, non-profit organizations and boards of directors. In other consultant work, Yutzy has offered board development, executive coaching, and governance and structure revisions.
Yutzy has a master of science in health administration degree from the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., and a master of social work degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., in 1970 and an associate of arts degree from Hesston (Kan.) College in 1968.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.