The connectional church about which Presbyterians are so fond of talking, is going through a major transformation. Like many denominations, following WWII the church’s organizational structure began to expand in concert with our expanding economy. The three main levels of our structure, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly, added staff and increased their programmatic activity. Even when, in the 60s, the ideological battles began to siphon off members, those who remained were increasingly generous and the work continued. Then the economic crisis hit and the financial pinch became a major bite.
The first level to be questioned was the role of synod. Much of the training events that they used to provide were taken over by presbyteries. With better tools of communication, the necessity of the middle level of our hierarchy was questioned. Local congregations knew what presbyteries, and to a lesser degree what the General Assembly does, but synods seemed to be part of an unknown organizational structure. If there wasn’t enough money, that seemed like the most logical place to make cuts.
As money becomes tighter and the ideological battles loosened congregations’ loyalties to the national structure, even the per capita began to be questioned. With the internet possibilities, many congregations look for missional connections on their own and outside the denomination’s missions. In addition, as presbyteries are faced with shrinking budgets, they cut their contributions to the benevolent programs at the GA level. This has resulted in a severe cut in national staff at the very time that people insist on direct services. How does the General Assembly restructure themselves to adjust to our changing reality?
Presbyteries themselves are facing economic challenges that are forcing them to look at their own restructuring. Do they return to the pre-WWII minimal staff or are there other ways for them to provide the connectional possibilities that build on the strength of our theology and prevent us from becoming a fractionalized witness?
