The Local Church Ministries (LCM) covenanted ministry board met Oct. 9-12 in Cleveland and, by a nearly unanimous vote, approved the Governance Follow-up Team II (GFT-II) proposal for a single governance board.

Discussion of the proposal dominated Saturday's late afternoon and evening sessions of the board's meeting. Considerable time was allocated for a presentation on effective board structures and outlining the process that led to the GFT-II recommendations, followed by questions and clarifications from board members.

The Rev. Stephen Sterner, executive minister for Local Church Ministries, said respectful dialog concerning governance was the highlight of the meeting. "The discussion was thorough, and it was conducted in a civil and constructive manner."

Objections to an earlier draft of the consolidated board proposal, specifically those raised by the Historically Underrepresented Groups (HUGS), were highlighted and explained by the revisions present in the GFT-II document.

Sterner noted that no governance model would be perfect, and that a modified structure is not a sure means to achieving the vision of the church. Others added that a streamlined structure would allow more resources to be directed to the mission and ministry of local churches.

Specifically speaking to the need for continued dialog with HUGS, Sterner said, "The healing process … needs to continue. [This process] will focus on what it means to be a multi-racial, multi-cultural, open and affirming, just peace and accessible to all church."

Prior to the vote, board members were given opportunity to explain why they would or would not endorse the proposal. Admitting the difficulty of bridging ideological differences, a board member who was persuaded to vote in the affirmative said, "While we don't always trust each other, it's time to trust God."

Pending approval of the GFT-II proposal by the Executive Council board and other covenanted ministry boards, work will begin on drafting constitutional changes and bylaws to enable the recommended changes.

Additional board actions included:

• A vote to nominate Sterner for election as executive minister of LCM at the 2009 General Synod in Grand Rapids, Mich.
• The consolidation of LCM ministry teams.  Stewardship and finance, worship and education, and evangelism teams were combined into the congregational vitality and discipleship ministry team under the direction of the Rev. David Schoen.
• Clarification of the Parish Life and Leadership vision to include lay as well as ordained leadership. This expansion found consensus among members along with a renewed focus on vitality within local churches of the UCC.
• A $3 million loan extension to Tougaloo College pending approval of the terms by the college's board of directors. Tougaloo was founded as an American Missionary Association institution in 1869 and maintains its historic relationship with the UCC.