OGA announces details of reorganization, staffing changes

In approving a new structure and leadership design for the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) on February 27, the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA) simultaneously approved the accompanying staffing rationale, which includes reductions in force.

“While the new structure will enable OGA to better serve the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by being more focused, flexible, and intentional,” said COGA Moderator Vincent Thomas immediately after the vote, “we are very aware of our decision’s impact on the OGA staff, both those who will depart OGA and those who will continue, all of whom love the PC(USA) and view their work as a ministry.”

The new OGA will focus the agency’s work across three essential areas of ministry, each with three Associate Stated Clerks who will share leadership for that ministry:

Church Wide Ministries—Providing the opportunities for national discernment and engaging the story of the church’s ministry. Leadership Team: Associate for Assembly Operations, Associate for Records and History, Associate for Innovation and Engagement.
Mid Council Ministries—Resourcing the life of the church in the middle councils and the ministries of Teaching and Ruling Elder. Leadership Team: Associate for Constitutional Interpretation, Associate for Vocational Ministries, Associate for Mid Council Relations.
Ecclesial and Ecumenical Ministries—Directly supporting the Office of the Stated Clerk and the Ecumenical vision of the Church. Leadership Team: Associate for Ecumenical Relations, Associate for Ecclesial Ministry, Associate for Communications.