The process of redefining what ministry will look like in the new Interim Unified Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) became a little clearer on Monday. Plans were announced that will reconfigure several programs impacting the ministries of Theology, Formation & Evangelism; Compassion, Peace & Justice; the Presbyterian Historical Society; and Communications.
Over the past year, the Rev. Jihyun Oh, now Executive Director and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), gathered with leaders, including the Rev. Bronwen Boswell, Acting Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), and the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, President and Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, to support core mission and ministry priorities of the 2025–26 GA approved budget: support of mid councils, leadership development, reparative justice, life of the Communion, strategic partnerships and operations.
“These decisions are part of a lengthy process that seeks to align the mission and ministry of two General Assembly agencies to the needs of today’s church, society and our denomination. The gravity of the church worldwide has shifted to the global South. We are at most half the size compared to when the current structures were set up. Migration patterns are bringing global neighbors into our communities, so that the global is local and the local is global. How can General Assembly agencies best support our partners in ministry for the challenges and opportunities of ministry and discipleship today?” said Oh. “Working with leaders within both predecessor agencies and the Administrative Services Group, as well as seeking guidance from the Unification Commission, we are moving toward sustainable ministries that better align with our vision and values, as well as mission and ministry priorities.”
The plans include:
Reconfiguring the work of the Peacemaking Program: The ministry has been a fixture of the Presbyterian Mission Agency for many years. The program will be dissolved as a single ministry, but plans are underway to incorporate that work into existing ministries moving forward. As part of that, gun violence prevention will be moved to the Office of Public Witness.
Integrating the Vital Congregations Program with 1001 New Worshiping Communities: This integrated ministry can focus resources to both nurture existing congregations and expand work in starting new worshiping communities. This step includes deeper integration with intercultural associates in Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries (RE&WIM).
Reconfiguring the Theology and Worship office: Work will be incorporated into existing ministries, and a new focus on leadership development for all ages and all expressions of the church will be developed.
Committee/board review: The Presbyterian Historical Society Board, Educator Certification Committee and Advisory Committees related to One Great Hour of Sharing (advisory committees for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-Development of People and the Hunger Program) will pause in-person meetings in 2025 while the Unification Commission undertakes the review of all committees related to the Interim Unified Agency.
Reimagining the Presbyterian Historical Society Journal of Presbyterian History: The journal will end as an academic-themed publication after 2025 to be replaced by an online version with an ecclesial focus.
The changes will achieve the sustainable, balanced 2025–26 budget, including the $5 million reductions over the two-year period, approved by the 226th General Assembly, and will also result in staff reductions in the impacted areas.
“We shared information with World Mission staff as well as partners around the world that we anticipate significant changes to how we engage our partners in the future, and we are in the process of examining how our organization will be structured in 2025,” said Oh. “We anticipate that there will also be reductions in 2025, once that process is completed.”
Oh encourages individuals who have questions or comments to submit those via email at feedback@pcusa.org.