Moderator and Governing Board Introduce Details of New Staffing Structure

The Moderator and Governing Board are continuing to work with our MCC staff to implement changes to our staffing. The new staffing structure, which we are sharing with you now, represents more than a mere tweaking of existing positions; rather, it is a comprehensive redesign intended to respond to MCC’s present/future reality and needs worldwide. Once again, we thank all the staff for their commitment, grace and professionalism in this time of transition.

The two aims are to have a staffing structure which is financially sustainable and is able to respond to the needs of our local churches and church leaders, both present and future. It is also important to be clear and realistic about what staff can do, and what support will be better provided through the networks or by local churches working with each other.
There are two basic principles built into every staff position, which set the tone for how we will work together:

Encourage a culture of sufficiency and generosity

God has given us everything that we need. MCC has enough. MCC is enough. When we work together, we create amazing ways of answering God’s call. What can we do, in this moment, with what we have? How can we find ways of sharing our best ideas from around the world, so that we can learn from each other?

Ensure that diversity and inclusion are embedded and measured in our work

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of MCC, and everyone has a part to play in making sure that we actively work on this. By assessing diversity in our different work areas, we can focus on the actions needed to address barriers to inclusion and intentionally take steps to embed diversity into all that we do. We will continue to measure our progress. There is also a staff position which will work directly with the diversity and inclusion affinity working groups to ensure effective communication, consultation and implementation between these groups, MCC leadership, staff and the wider MCC body.

In the new structure, there is an emphasis on building relationships and partnerships between churches, between leaders, and between the denomination and local MCC communities. We are stronger and more creative when we work together.

The new staffing structure focuses on two key areas – Community Development and Resource Development. Some positions are held by current staff, who started in their new positions on 1st November. Other positions will be advertised shortly. All positions are full-time, unless otherwise stated. As our finances stabilise, part-time positions will be reviewed for potential increase in hours where needed. There will be a transition period, where some current staff are continuing to work with local churches or leaders, until a new position has been filled. We ask for your patience and understanding at this time.

Outlined below are the new staff positions and those responsible:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Building community is fundamental to who we are as MCC. People need connection and a place to belong. Loneliness and isolation are significant issues in today’s world and are also opportunities for us to develop new ways of engaging with people, such as online communities using different languages, as well as continuing to plant and grow churches. Strong communities need healthy, trained and empowered leaders, both lay and clergy. Our local congregations and church leaders have a wealth of experience and expertise. The networks are excellent ways of sharing best practice and learning from one another. We also want to further develop our online learning and resources to share the excellent ministry that MCC does around the world.

Community Development Team Lead – Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez
Community Development is made up of two teams, Community Building and Leadership Development. Rev. Elder Gutierrez is responsible for managing both teams

Community Development – Community Building Team

Networks Co-ordinator, Ibero-America co-ordination – Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez
Emerging Church and MCC Communities Co-ordinator – Rev. Wanda Floyd
Conference/Events Co-ordinator (15 hours) – Rev. Lauren Bennett
Church Support and Development Co-ordinator – responsible for working with affiliated churches, support with pastoral transitions, church growth. Position to be advertised
Rev. Cristiano Valerio will continue to work with our ICM communities in Ibero-America

Please contact Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez with any matters relating to church support and development until staff are in place, unless you are already working with a current staff member.

Community Development – Leadership Development Team

Vocational Leadership Co-ordinator – responsible for working with lay pastors, the ordination process, and with clergy. Position to be advertised
Laity Development, Diversity and Inclusion, and Online Learning Co-ordinator (28 hours a week) – responsible for working with LEAD programme, developing other learning opportunities for laity, working with diversity and inclusion affinity working groups, co-ordinating MCC’s online learning resources. Position to be advertised.

Please contact Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez with any matters relating to leadership development until staff are in place.

You may also contact:

Rev. John Fowler for clergy related matters in Australia and New Zealand
Rev. Maxwell Reay for clergy related matters for MCC in Europe
Rev. Sandro Aurelio on clergy related matters for those speaking Portuguese and in the Southern Cone of South America
Rev. Victor Bracuto on clergy related matters for those speaking Spanish

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

MCC needs to have robust and effective systems to be able to support all the ministry areas in Community Development. We want to have an excellent and user-friendly website, increase our presence on social media and continue to improve our internal communications. It has to be easy for MCCers to send us information and ideas, and for MCC to have up to date contact details for individuals and churches. Local churches around the world continue to be faithful in giving their assessments in a timely manner. We want to find additional income to support our global ministry and work with local churches to explore income opportunities for them too.

Resource Development Team Lead – Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos

Resource Development is made up of two teams, Fundraising and Finance, and Communications. Rev. Dr. Amos is responsible for managing both teams.

Resource Development – Fundraising and Finance Team

Fundraising Development and Assessments Co-ordinator – Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos
Accounting and Finance Co-ordinator – Ms Tammy Erwin
Assessments Administrator (part-time) – Ms Marina Laws

Resource Development – Communications Team

IT, Website and Database Co-ordinator – Mr Mike Haase
Administrative Assistant – Ms Janine McCarthy
Internal Communications Co-ordinator (20 hours per week) – responsible for communication within MCC – newsletters, communications from Governing Board, Council of Elders etc. Position to be advertised
Social Media and External Communications Co-ordinator (18 hours per week) – responsible for outward focussed communication, social media presence, developing contacts with other media channels. Position to be advertised

Please contact Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos with any matters regarding communication until staff are in place.

MODERATOR’S OFFICE

Moderator – Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Confidential Executive Assistant to the Moderator – Ms Marina Laws(part-time)

We thank all the staff for their continued willingness to serve MCC and, for some, to use their experience and expertise in new ways. Information about the vacant positions and the application process will be available soon. If you have any questions about the staffing structure, please email [email protected]

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement.

Respectfully submitted by,

Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, Clerk on behalf of the Governing Board

Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Moderator

Mark Godette, Vice-Moderator

Chad Hobbs, Treasurer

Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey

James Chavis

Clare Coughlin

Rev. Alberto Nájera

Rev. Paul Whiting