March 15, 2010
Statement from the Franconia Conference Board
We deeply regret the pain and confusion that has resulted from our announced plan to lay off conference staff later this year. As a board, we acknowledge that we have not handled this well. Randy Heacock, Assistant Conference Moderator, adds, “We have been sobered and are distressed by the erosion of trust that has resulted from our actions.”
The plan to lay off staff is on hold while an in-depth review of our conference is undertaken. This review will include our Conference, its Board, executive minister, staff and congregations. It will involve listening broadly and assessing the various aspects of our Conference as well as the recent decision regarding staffing.
The Conference has retained LaVern Yutzy, a consulting associate with Mennonite Health Services Alliance. In addition to his work with other conferences and Anabaptist health care organizations, LaVern has just completed a one year review of Mennonite Church USA. We anticipate that his review will include recommendations about changes that are needed and that it will provide guidance about how we might move forward.
The listening meetings scheduled for March 16 and March 23 will take place as scheduled. The review process will provide additional opportunities for your perspectives and counsel to be considered.
It is our hope that we can better understand the role of Franconia Conference in supporting our desire to increase the health and growth of leaders, churches, disciples and connections by fulfilling our mission to Equip Leaders to Empower Others to Embrace God’s Mission…in the world.
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.