By Leslie Scanlon, The Presbyterian Outlook.
Linda Valentine, executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, has announced that she intends to resign her position, effective July 10, after serving since 2006. Valentine said in a statement that “my decision has little to do with recent events. It is much more about my sense of call.”
Marilyn Gamm, chair of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, said in a statement that “the Executive Committee is now beginning the process of taking all steps necessary to ensure there is appropriate temporary leadership in place on July 11, 2015. As quickly as possible we will establish a position description and seek an Interim Executive Director. We ask for your prayers as we discern the person or persons God is already calling to serve during this interim time.”
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s leadership has been rocked by a series of difficulties in recent months – including an ethics inquiry involving the 1001 New Worshipping Communities program, overspending by the 2013 Youth Triennium and a Special Offerings advertising campaign that some have denounced as racist.
Roger Dermody, the denomination’s former deputy executive director for mission – serving directly under Valentine – has sued the PC(USA) for defamation, alleging that PC(USA) officials defamed him by accusing him of “unethical” behavior for his role in the 1001 New Worshipping Communities inquiry.
He and three others involved in the 1001 inquiry lost their jobs following the controversy, which involved the creation of an unauthorized corporation in California to which $100,000 in PC(USA) grant money was sent – money which has since been fully recovered. In recent weeks there have been calls for the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board to release an investigative report regarding the incident, and public questioning of whether the board is spending too much on lawyers’ fees tied to it – more than $850,000 so far.
In 2014, the General Assembly confirmed Valentine – a lawyer and Presbyterian ruling elder – for an unprecedented third four-year term as executive director.
In an interview June 16, Valentine acknowledged this has been a difficult season for the mission agency, but stressed that she is leaving not because of the controversies but because the time is right. Here are excerpts from that conversation.
Related article:
Linda Valentine resigns post as executive director for Presbyterian Mission Agency, Presbyterian News Service
5 Comments. Leave new
I wish Linda Valentine well in whatever she does.
As to whether her resignation was voluntary: She is stepping down after completing one year of a four year term; She does not have another job lined up; She has no current plans other than spending time with friends and family and perhaps a bit of a sabbatical.
There didn’t seem to be any pressing reason for her to resign based on the reasons she gave.
yep, another one bites the dust…
We do not know all the internal struggles at the top of this denomination.
However, Linda Valentine had pure motives and was trying to serve Jesus
through missional pursuits according to God’s call. I appreciated her statements upon resigning. I wish her the best in all things as she moves forward.
What bothers me more is that no one knows the board members of the PMAB behind all the disconcerting developments the past few months. What philosophy of ministry is motivating them to fire four team members and now to receive the resignation of a faithful leader. We all make mistakes,Where is the grace. And transparency? Are they motivated by ideology and ulterior motives, because now 5 people are gone from one arm of the ministry that was perhaps the only evangelical wing of the contingency in Louiville?
And why isn’t Grady Parsons part of this discussion or being held accountable for the loss in membership? Loss of staff!
I presume this board is chosen and hired but who makes that decision?
Decisions at GA are out in the open, but this board is behind a screen yet wields great power.
For some reason, these developments are more troubling than many of the other happenings in this denomination.
As to Gradye Parsons and loos of membership and staff….
Whether true or not, I saw a news report that Gradye Parsons told the General Assembly (for whom he works) that the latest amendment and vote on Israel could cost the PCUSA up to one third of their membership. Yet, the GA went ahead, anyway.
Therefore, if the report is true, I think you could lay the problem of declining membership and fewer staff directly at the feet of those in the General Assembly who voted in the affirmative on those issues.
Yeah they went ahead and did it. They don’t if we all leave, as long we leave the keys and bank account numbers…………..