The Church of the Nazarene is facing a decline since 2008 of $7 million (US) in giving to the World Evangelism Fund (WEF) even while achieving a record membership of two million worldwide. During its meetings in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, the Board of General Superintendents (BGS), addressing the financial situation at the Global Ministry Center (GMC) and the Global Mission regional offices, proposed a three-phase work plan to the General Board.

The 88th Session of the General Board was February 24-28, 2011, following M11, the evangelism conference for the USA/Canada Region.

The BGS work plan, which takes effect immediately, received unanimous approval in an executive session Saturday morning, February 26, following a presentation by the BGS chair, J. K. Warrick, on behalf of the entire Board of General Superintendents.

Phase One deals directly with the anticipated WEF shortfall for the current year (fiscal year 2011). The goal of successfully dealing with this situation at the GMC has been met with the shortfall being covered through internal financial sources and WEF PLUS.

Phase Two will be a $3.0 million (U.S.) reduction in the WEF operational budget base for fiscal year 2012, which begins October 1, 2011.

Phase Three is a more strategic piece, although it is no less urgent than phases one and two. Its primary goal is to rethink the GMC and regional offices.

To get started, a task force has been appointed by the BGS to study the future role of Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI), Nazarene Missions International (NMI), Nazarene Youth International (NYI), International Board of Education (IBOE), Clergy Development, and Stewardship Ministries.

The final report of the task force is to be submitted to the Board of General Superintendents by September 15, 2011.

The members of the General Board task force, representing various segments of the global church, are:

• Rebeca Alvarado-Ortiz (Mesoamerica Region)
• David A. Busic (South Central Region/USA)
• D. Ian Fitzpatrick (Canada Region)
• Shionel Blas Azura Gesite (Asia-Pacific Region)
• Dwight M. Gunter II, Chair (Southeast Region/USA)
• Daniel J. Martin (East Central Region/USA)
• Daniel Spaite (Southwest Region/USA)
• Paul D. Tarrant (Eurasia Region)
• J. K. Warrick, chair of Board of General Superintendents
• Kerry W. Willis (Eastern Region/USA)

The General Board also approved a single leader concept for the International Board of Education and Clergy Development. The IBOE commissioner, E. LeBron Fairbanks, will retire effective September 30, 2011.

"These are difficult decisions," Warrick said. "They were reached following considerable consultation with the Senior Leadership Team, the Global Mission Team, and the regional directors and were confirmed in subsequent conversations with the Executive Committee of the General Board. The Spirit of God was in our midst as the General Board took on this responsibility. They exhibited great care for the people of the GMC and the Church of the Nazarene's mission of making Christlike disciples in the nations."  
-Board of General Superintendents