Background

RESOLUTION

April, 2006:  The Synod of the Moravian Church Southern Province mandated Resolution 55. Resolution 55 states "….that the PEC appoint an impartial task force that will be charged with systematically and critically examining all aspects of our provincial administration and ministries including PEC, boards and agencies and their relationships with local congregations."

This resolution grew from serious concerns within the province over time. Multiple Synods have attempted to resolve these concerns with little success.

TASK FORCE

Summer, 2006:  The Provincial Elders Conference (PEC) appointed a task force comprised of Moravians from churches throughout the Southern Province. Each member of the task force had experience at the provincial level, with the exception of one who provided a different perspective. In the interest of impartiality, no one on the task force was currently serving on a provincial board or holding a provincial office.

GUIDING PRINCIPLE

September, 2006:  In order to remain clearly focused on their assignment, the task force drafted a principle, based on the requirements of Resolution 55, to guide them. This guiding principle states that the Moravian Church Southern Province "…realize our potential, thereby making our ministries more available and active by improving communication, polity, unity and community building, and discover how we might better organize ourselves for the service of Christ."

Every action of the task force was measured by this guiding principle.


PROCESS

The task force met monthly for the next 2 years to address Resolution 55. 

With no preconceived ideas of what lay ahead, the task force began to systematically gather information in order to educate themselves about all aspects of the province, including administration and ministries, PEC, boards and agencies and their relationships with local congregations. The task force held meetings and conducted interviews and surveys throughout the Province. During this lengthy process, they sought the broadest perspective possible from their brothers and sisters in the Southern Province.

After all information was critically examined, the task force concluded that a new framework for the province would best address the issues at hand and the proposed organizational structure was carefully drafted.


APPROVAL

December, 2008:  The PEC unanimously approved the new structure as proposed.

September 11-12, 2009:  A special Synod has been called to consider the proposed structure.