Territorial structure update

Reviewing recommendations

Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant presents the May update on the work of the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group

THE Structure Co-ordination and Design project is entering an important few weeks. At the end of May the Territorial Leaders Conference – attended by all divisional leaders, Cabinet members and a number of senior THQ employees and officers – will meet at William Booth College. The majority of the time will be devoted to reflecting on the project and recommending next steps.

In early June the Cabinet will meet with the members of the Structure Co-ordination and Design Group (SCDG) to review the recommendations of the conference and decide next steps. Your prayers are needed and will be deeply appreciated by everyone involved in this process.

To inform your prayers, here’s a quick reminder of how we got here – it’s been a long journey and some readers may be wondering what is taking so long! The SCDG started work in January 2021. It built on the work of the Fit for Mission Review from 2018 and the Structure Design Working Group, which met in 2020. Three desired outcomes of the project were approved by Cabinet: l Transformation Increase the capacity of locally based Salvation

Army work to contribute to the territory’s five mission priorities (share the good news; nurture disciples of Jesus; care for creation; serve others without discrimination; seek justice and reconciliation) l Integration Build strong and effective collaboration between all aspects of

Salvation Army work in a geographical area l Streamlining Design appropriate, effective, efficient and sustainable structures and processes that enable local mission to flourish

To achieve these outcomes, the SCDG broke the task down into four project stages: Stage 1, Listening, from May to December 2021 (see

salvationarmy.org.uk/local-mission-

flourish for more information); Stage 2, Design, from January to May 2022; Stage 3, Impact Analysis, from April to October 2022; Stage 4, Implementation, is ongoing.

The month of May has been very busy as the SCDG has reviewed and analysed feedback from the 13 Divisional Design Groups (DDGs). These DDGs have all completed their tasks of identifying process and structure issues that are hindering local mission flourishing and proposed solutions.

They have also discussed the size and shape of divisional headquarters’ support and oversight by using information gathered in the Listening stage, as well as sharing their own experience, insights and wisdom. A sincere word of thanks must go to all DDG members who have invested much time, energy and prayer into this work.

The DDGs have identified 304 processes that they want reviewed so that local mission can flourish. The five Service Design Groups at THQ are analysing these processes, identifying duplication and clustering them into themes. Some processes can be fixed quickly but most are complicated and will take time. The SCDG has continually stressed that we expect this to be an evolutionary change process, not a revolution that is finished on a specific date. There has been progress since the Fit for Mission Review in 2018 and this is the culture of continuous improvement that we, as a territory, need to embrace.

WHAT WILL THE TERRITORIAL LEADERS CONFERENCE BE DISCUSSING?

The conference will review the work undertaken as part of Stage 1 (Listening) and Stage 2 (Design). There are three main areas for discussion: 1. From all the processes identified by the DDGs, which need priority attention? 2. In light of the recommendations from the DDGs, what further changes are needed to divisional boundaries? 3. How should support and oversight of corps be provided in an efficient and sustainable manner that helps local mission flourish?

A week after the Territorial Leaders Conference finishes, the Cabinet will have a two-day meeting to reflect on the discussions and decide on the next steps. Any significant recommendations will need approval from the Salvation Army Trustee Company directors and International Headquarters, which might happen in July at the earliest.

HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED?

Part of the Territorial Leaders Conference will be spent hearing good news from across the territory. There are many reports of transformation and local mission flourishing. If you have a good news story that could be shared please email transformation@salvationarmy. org.uk. It’s encouraging to see how God is at work and to hear from those who have found their way to Jesus because of the ministry you are enabling locally. You can also email this address to share further feedback.

Thank you for your continuing encouragement, patience and prayers as we work through this process. May God continue to bless you in your life and ministry.

LIEUT-COLONEL DEAN PALLANT

Secretary for Communications