As the current financial crisis continues to affect the world beyond Wall Street, this message appeared this morning on the Facebook Causes page for Brethren Witness/Washington Office:

a message from Phil Jones [director of Brethren Witness]

Friends, thank you so much for your support of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office these past six years. It has been an honor to serve this ministry on your behalf. It is a solemn reminder - that as the Church of the Brethren decides to close the office, on the 6th anniversary of the Iraqi occupation and war against its people, of the hard, yet vital, unfinished work before us. Our world and our church have many challenges to confront. It is my prayer that we will all continue to find ways to do justice, for ALL persons, to do kindness, to EVERYONE, and to walk humbly with God TOGETHER.

Later this morning, the denomination's Newsline posted their own announcement.

The Church of the Brethren has closed its Washington Office, as of March 19. The decision is part of an overall plan created by executive staff to respond to financial challenges facing the denomination and the decision of the Mission and Ministry Board to reduce the operating budget for core ministries by $505,000 this year. The decision eliminates the position of director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office. Phil Jones has held that position since July 2003.

Additionally, it was reported that the denomination is entering a time of discernment for future structuring of the Board's witness ministries.

Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships, will be structuring a listening process to gather broad denominational feedback for reshaping the way the church carries out the work of witness, peacebuilding, and justice.

Further explanation says,

The elimination of this position is happening because of the economic recession and the budget reduction put in place by the Mission and Ministry Board at its recent meeting.

It is curious that the Church of the Brethren (COB) Mission and Ministry Board has decided to cut a ministry so vital these days--what many would consider among the "core ministries" that the denomination is interested in preserving--as deals are made and bills are passed on Capitol Hill that impact the economic lives of so many Americans. It remains to be seen if the church's voice on behalf of the poor will continue to be heard in the corridors of American power. This decision is one more in a string of cuts by the Mission and Ministry Board. Newsline reported less than a month ago the first two positions to go, or, as the repost reads, people who have "completed [their] term of service": the coordinator of Mission Connections for Global Mission Partnerships, and coordinator of District Ministry. In the same report, there were no signs of cutting the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, since it was announced that they had just hired a year-long volunteer from Brethren Volunteer Service. Also notable is the lack of public voicing of regret in making these decisions. Undoubtedly the Mission and Ministries Board has no easy task, and they most likely are saddened by the necessity--whether real or perceived--of eliminating crucial programs and personnel. A statement from board chair Eddie Edmonds regarding the downsizing of the board from 29 to 19 members seems a little out of place amidst the current cuts.

"This action represents a significant savings to the core ministries budget," ... "My deep appreciation and thanks to those who have now completed their service to the Mission and Ministry Board. Proper and appropriate recognition of the service of those who completed their terms of service as a result of this action will occur by the best means available."

Although speaking about members of the board, who serve on a volunteer basis, "significant savings to the core ministries budget" is also cited as part of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office decision. The positive spin on saving money with no counter statement expressing regret over unfortunate, though needed, program cuts leaves room for many to question the board's priorities. While money is important, ministry and discipleship must take precedence if the church is to remain a truly viable institution. While many in the COB may lament the loss of Brethren Witness/Washington Office and other ministries, some will recognize that we have entered a new era, where questions are stronger than answers, grassroots are more powerful than organizations, and God is finally known to be more gracious and more compelling than any and all of us. The work of the church on behalf of Christ has not been eliminated. It has been re-created.