Bishop proposes new churchwide structure

Even before he moved his things into the 11th floor corner office at 8765 Higgins Rd., Mark S. Hanson envisioned a different structure for the organization the ELCA calls "churchwide."

That dream has grown into a design proposal the presiding bishop unveiled in September. If adopted, the plan will cut 41 positions, including six executive directors; dissolve the Higher Education and Schools, Congregational Ministries and Outreach divisions and the Multicultural Ministries and Women commissions; and form five departments (see below).