[amc] [Fwd: Update from Mission Network]
- From: Garland Robertson <pastor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Austin Mennonite Church <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 04 May 2009 16:32:05 -0500
Members and Friends of Austin Mennonite Church
I am sending the information below for your awareness. May it go well
with you. Sincerely,
Garland Robertson
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Update from Mission Network
Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 14:30:07 -0400
From: Stanley Green <StanleyG@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pastor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Dear Friends,
As members of Mennonite Church USA and supporters of Mennonite Mission
Network, I want to share with you the changes and challenges Mission
Network is facing.
In early April, Mennonite Mission Network announced a two-year goal of
reducing the annual budget by 10 percent to retain the ability to expand
future mission work as God leads. Initially, temporary cost-saving
measures were announced.
These temporary cuts, which will lower costs by $500,000, have enabled
Mission Network to review ministries and make reductions in a measured
and strategic way, preserving programs that fit into Mission Network’s
priorities of leadership development, forming long-term relationships,
and building new communities of faith. To make cuts, Mission Network
leaders looked for organizational inefficiencies, welcomed innovative
ideas, determined that all areas of the organization would share in the
reductions, and were guided by a statement on organizational priorities.
Permanent cuts of $1.3 million will be phased in over a two-year period
in order to preserve $9 million of ongoing ministry. Planning reductions
over a longer time period allows Mission Network to offer a generous
severance policy to staff whose positions are eliminated, to reorganize
departments, to implement new ways of working, and to take advantage of
natural staff and worker transitions. Mission Network also has
commitments to partners across the globe that may need to be renegotiated.
Reductions to international ministries will be achieved largely through
staff and worker retirement, and completion of assignments and reduction
of grants to partners and ministries. These cost-saving measures were
informed by the five-year ministry review process completed in March 2009.
Reductions to U.S. ministries are the result of a challenge from
Mennonite Church USA congregations, area conferences and denominational
leaders to broaden the vision for ministry in the United States. Cost
savings will enable the ongoing process of re-imagining and
reconfiguring relationships and ministries within the church.
Also announced were staff reductions through retirement, reassignment or
eliminated positions. These staff will receive extended benefits in
addition to a typical severance package.
I regret the impact of these cuts to staff who are deeply devoted to the
ministries they serve, and I invite your prayers and empathy for all who
are directly affected.
We continue to be grateful for the generosity of congregations and
individuals who support Mission Network in prayer and with their
contributions. We are committed to carry out the ministry that God and
the church have entrusted us with, and covet your prayers as we imagine
together where God is leading.
May God grace each of us with the Spirit’s peace and the reassurance of
the surrounding care and presence of Jesus on the road ahead.
Blessings in Christ,
Stanley W. Green
Executive Director, Mennonite Mission Network
574.523.3001; www.mennonitemission.net
*/"Together, sharing all of Christ with all of creation"/*
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Austin Mennonite Church, (512) 926-3121 www.mennochurch.org
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