What is the timetable for the district model transition?
Initial roll out of detailed plans should occur on or around the ECS meeting January 26-29, 2009 with full implantation scheduled for early summer 2009.
What are the dates of the Executive Council Summit?
For supervisors, the summit will begin with dinner on Monday, January 26, 2009 and will conclude Thursday, January 29 at noon.
How will the timing of district consolidation impact the planning of summer camps?
Present districts/supervisors should make plans as usual for the 2009 camping season.
What about other district events/planning/budgets?
Plans should be made through May 2009 (with the exception of camps) and any planning or budgetary decisions past May should be put on hold.
Does this impact fall district conferences as well?
Yes. Fall district conferences should not be planned until new districts are formed and new personnel are in place.
Are you comfortable with the timeline for district consolidation? Is there any flexibility if more time is needed? Yes. If we wait too long, then the attrition of present staff will make it more difficult to serve well ... but if we rush the transition, many of the important factors that make a successful transition will not be there. Staff will need to be identified, hired, oriented and trained. Offices will need to be set up and ready for serving the new districts. Supervisors will need to be oriented. The central offices and ARC offices will need to make significant I.T. and other process changes to assist in the transition. The out-going supervisors will be extremely helpful to orient and help incoming supervisors understand unique situations and significant opportunities.
What will happen to personnel whose jobs are affected by the transition?
Honoring our leaders will be a priority throughout this transition. There are obviously many different kinds of scenarios around the country (including part-time district staff), so every effort to bring pastoral care and wisdom will be given. The board will consider more formal answers during a meeting in November 2008.
When and how should present supervisors speak to their district staff members and their church councils about district consolidation?
Present supervisors are free to discuss the transition with personnel and church councils in order to provide the best possible transition plan for everyone.
How can current supervisors recommend potential candidates for the new supervisor roles?
The board welcomes recommendations from the field and has asked that such recommendations be e-mailed to Glenn Burris at gburris@foursquare.org or to Adam Davidson at adavidson@foursquare.org.
Would Foursquare import someone from outside of our movement as a district supervisor?
No.
Will we appoint supervisors with a heart for cross-cultural ministry?
Yes.
Is there a set job description for divisional superintendents?
This will be a great topic to discuss at the Executive Council Summit. Current superintendents could help us identify their best contributions and then set the level of expectations from there. There are significant differences between what is expected today at the district level and some common national expectations (i.e., serving on the district council). We plan to have more standardized expectations when the new districts launch.
What characteristics describe a future district supervisor?
The board is processing this subject and will consider the 10 missional competencies of a district as well as the supervisor profile. The bylaws also give strong descriptions concerning the expectations for the office of a supervisor.
What is the process of selecting future district supervisors?
Recommendations will come to the board from multiple sources. We have received recommendations from multiple sources and have invited additional recommendations from the field. A national survey sent to Foursquare ministers this fall includes the opportunity to submit names for consideration. The board of directors will select the persons to be interviewed. Interviews and vetting will take approximately two months and then the board will make the final confirmations.
How will future staff be hired for the new districts?
There will be significant conversation and orientation regarding the needs within the district office to accomplish the missional objectives. A process will be engaged to determine the needs and the best fit for available positions. These are likely to include persons who will help with administration, missional activity, youth/NextGen and office support.
What will be the term of service for new supervisors?
The board is considering five-year terms for district supervisors. There will be annual evaluations and regular assessments from the field. Some type of formal ratification will be held after the bylaws are revisited. Leaders will be held accountable to the National Church Office and to the board.
Will the outgoing district supervisor give a historical summary on each church in the district? Yes. We plan to give the new supervisor a qualitative and quantitative overview of the district they will serve.
Will the new districts include staff who will serve church multiplication and church health? Yes. We plan to staff the districts with personnel who can give key missional oversight to leadership health and church health. It is a very, very important part of our future; and it is critical. Of course, there will be consultants available and teams built. It will be a partnership of local and national efforts! The key for each new district will be to find the right people with the passion to help lead in this regard.
How will we maintain personal care from and relationship with the district supervisor?
The supervisor will be charged with creating a culture of care within a district. Their accessibility will be important. However, as we grow, the role of the superintendent and others in the care system will be vital. We still contend that if a supervisor pours his or her life into the ministry of the superintendent and the superintendent pours his or her life into pastors, then the model can continue to grow and multiply. The shepherd-heart of a supervisor is very important. Having the staff and resources to help build a communication and care network will be vital.
How will Pastor Jack's initial communiqué be delivered to ministers?
A letter from Pastor was e-mailed to all credentialed ministers (for whom we have addresses) on Thursday, September 25, 2008. We are following that with a letter via standard mail to our credentialed ministers as well.
Will Pastor Jack's letter to ministers be available in Spanish?
Yes, and it will also include specific language addressing the great progress that has been made in our Hispanic churches and among our Spanish-speaking leaders.
Will the subject of district consolidation be addressed during the 2008 fall regional and district gatherings?
Yes. Glenn and Pastor Jack will ensure that district consolidation will be addressed at these events specifically with the supervisors and superintendents.
Will we still have a direct connection with our district supervisor?
Yes. District supervisors will be encouraged to remain relational in their leadership.
What is the mission of The Foursquare Church? Our entire missional focus flows out of the primary vision and call of The Foursquare Church. Pastor Jack has effectively summarized this focus with the following outline:
How will the geographic boundaries of the new districts be determined and when will these boundaries be announced?
The board will decide new district boundaries in November 2008 after consultation with a number of entities. Those decisions, along with personnel elections, will be included in the presentations during the Executive Council Summit in January 2009.
Will the role of divisional superintendents be impacted by district consolidation?
It is likely that current divisional superintendents will be assimilated into the new district model allowing the new supervisor to determine to what extent changes occur.
Who will be responsible for clarifying priorities for geographic boundaries of new districts?
Many factors will be taken into account in the establishment of new districts, such as cultural concerns and the number of churches to be served within each district. National Church leadership will oversee the process and include input from present regional supervisors, the general supervisor, the assistant general supervisor and the administrator of the National Church.
What criteria will help determine how many districts we will have in the new model?
The "10 Missional Objectives" for districts will be foundational in determining how many districts we will have. The importance of providing adequate funding for each new district will be an important component as well.
What did we learn from the metro district concept in the current structure?
We are discovering many effective ways to minister in cross-cultural and urban settings. Our present district structures gave us a focus on several fronts, but did not cover the need. In the new model, we need all of our districts to have a passion and strategy towards these important areas.
Will current supervisors play a role as divisional superintendents in the new model?
There are some supervisors who could offer help as superintendents to new supervisors, but others might better serve in different areas of ministry passion. We are still considering how to best engage the entrepreneurial gifts of our current supervisors. It's highly advantageous for us to engage them in leadership within the movement.
Are the new districts an extension of the National Church Office?
The new supervisor is an ambassador for the NCO and an advocate for the field.
Will the licensing process change?
Full-time staff in the new district model will help oversee the licensing process. We fully expect that the ARC offices will stay engaged and that district credential teams will continue to play a critical role.
Is there a preferred model of how the new districts will function?
While this is still being discussed and a decision has not yet been finalized, we believe that the overwhelming majority have voiced a need for fully-functioning district offices, staffed well and resourced adequately. That is the assumption we are building the model on. The board will make final decisions to be put in place in November 2008.
Are there plans to have any small districts in a specific geographic area where potential for growth exists?
No. However, we do believe that there needs to be significant affirmation, empowerment and resource where unique opportunities for growth exist. Placing emphasis on the resource rather than the structure is our best effort both for strategies within cross-cultural communities and for the unique and urban opportunities where the grace of God seems to be flowing and His mantel appears to leading.
The current model is working in our district. Why are we changing?
Our current model is not sustainable; it won't work in many places once the current leader leaves the position as supervisor. There has been considerable transition (26 supervisors) in the present model and we must provide more long-term stability while continuing to release the gifting and leadership of entrepreneurial leaders.
Will the composition of the Cabinet change in regard to supervisors?
The bylaw committee is working on this and will make a recommendation to the board.
How will the composition of the District Advisory Council change?
Again, this is an issue being looked into by the bylaw committee and this committee will make a recommendation to the board.
Will each district have a ministry focus for women, men, children, camp, youth and Bible institutes?
Each district will facilitate ministry objectives as it partners with both national and district strategies. We have some agreed upon family values and ministries, so we will seek to strengthen those and expand them in the new model. There will be much room for creative ideas and leadership in how to reach many of those objectives.
What will be done with equipment and other assets purchased with current district funds?
It is likely that most office equipment purchased by current districts would remain with the church and that other assets will need to be discussed and decided on depending upon the type of equipment or asset. Those discussions will most likely take place after the first of the year (2009).
Will the district offices in the new model need to purchase properties?
Discussion continues regarding all possibilities from leasing to purchasing property. The board will process decisions on this subject in November 2008.
Will district consolidation affect how existing districts utilize grants recently funded by the Foursquare Foundation?
Because the funding is from the Foursquare Foundation, it has no direct impact on a district budget. Projects funded using the foundation grants may occur after May 1, 2009 however approval for the use of these funds must be secured prior to March 1, 2009.
Does the 2009 district allocation budget change?
No.
Will there be resourcing for divisional superintendents?
All the money will be sent to the districts. District leadership will be held accountable for how the funds are used. We fully expect that divisional superintendents and their responsibilities will be a high priority for resourcing into the future.
Is there any way the central offices can release more funds to the field?
We currently are undergoing a 15% headcount reduction in our central offices. We are working diligently to get the most money possible to the field.
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