In these challenging economic times Presbyterian branches are wrestling with what it means to be connectional and then how do we pay for it.  Last Saturday I was part of a discussion at our Synod Council meeting where we weighed a number of financial issues with how we relate to each other and tried to discern what we should be doing.  Over the last couple of years many branches have been dealing with the cutting of costs and/or enhancing revenue.

Well, along these lines the Presbyterian Church in Canada yesterday released a plan to reorganize their national office. It calls for a combining of their congregational ministries resource unit, The Vine, with their national ministries unit Canada Ministries.  The reorganization will also have financial management for the Life and Mission Agency centrally administered.  The former will result in a reduction in workforce of one executive and one support staff position while the latter will not affect staffing levels but will free up staff for other work.  The press release also notes the reorganization of duties in other units that will result in a reduction of three full-time equivalent positions.  Of the total of five positions eliminated two will be through retirements.

UPDATE: Reaction from the Emmaus Project which is part of the combined ministries. Update to the Update: Not part of those agencies, see the note in the comments.

The press release closes with this –

The management team expresses its appreciation of all staff who have lived with the knowledge that a reorganization is underway at the national office. These changes have not been without pain and stress and we regret that several good colleagues will be leaving the national office. The ongoing dedication and commitment of the national office staff to serving our church is acknowledged with gratitude.