Executive Committee approves interim plan, leadership model

A “collegial general secretariat” will lead the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) during a year-long interim period, beginning 1 September.

The WCRC Executive Committee approved an interim plan that mandates the three executive secretaries take on the functions and responsibilities of the general secretary, along with the president, Officers’ Committee, and Executive Committee members as assigned.

“The interim period will allow a new model of shared responsibility where the involvement of the officers, executive members, and regional leaders will be vital,” said President Najla Kassab in her address to the Executive Committee.

The interim plan was put forth by outgoing General Secretary Chris Ferguson and the Officers’ Committee due to three factors: 1) Ferguson’s term of service ends on 31 August, 2) the General Secretary Search Committee has not presented a candidate for consideration, and 3) there are concerns over the financial sustainability of the WCRC’s core budget—the latter two of which were compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The leadership model of the “collegial general secretariat” will see the WCRC’s three executive secretaries—Hanns Lessing (Evangelical Church of Westphalia), Philip Peacock (Church of North India), and Phil Tanis (Reformed Church in America)—reach decisions through consensus, while coordinating work in their particular areas of responsibility.

Even as the three assume additional responsibilities during the interim period, the programmatic work of the WCRC will remain a priority. The “COVID and Beyond” discernment process was noted as an example of how synergies between programmatic areas can be enhanced online while also involving people around the world.

“We look forward to the interim model which hopefully will allow new participation and new imagination in building a stronger communion,” said Kassab. “This plan will allow a stronger participation from the regions and more involvement from the Communion churches and leaders.”

The interim period will also see focused work on planning for the next General Council, anticipated in 2024; an effort to secure the short-, mid-, and long-term sustainability of the WCRC; and the continuation of the General Secretary Search Committee, with a candidate to be presented at the May 2022 Executive Committee meeting.

For legal and representational issues Lessing was also designated as “acting general secretary” from 1 September, but as a “first among equals” with specific responsibilities but not additional authority within the collegial general secretariat.

The Executive Committee is meeting virtually 25-28 May.