news article
Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding to assume role of executive assistant to Bishop Webb
March 3, 2015 / By Sandra Brands
Upper New York Area Resident Bishop Mark J. Webb has announced that the Rev. Bill Gottschalk-Fielding will assume the position of Executive Assistant to the Bishop, effective July 1. Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding will continue his work as the Upper New York Conference Director of Connectional Ministries, in a move that combines two previously separate positions.
Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding“When (current Executive Assistant) Chris (Doran) shared that she would be retiring, I began to look for opportunities to strategically replace her that would assure the Episcopal Office would continue to have the resources it needs, aligns current staff, and offers a cost-savings to the Annual Conference,” Bishop Webb said. “While there are distinctions in the current roles, Bill and Chris have worked cooperatively, and many times their roles overlap. I believe we can continue to provide the ministry and leadership, through a combined position.”
By combining the two positions, the Conference will no longer fund one full-time executive staff level position. This will result in a cost savings of $120,000 when salary, benefits, and professional expenses are included.
“For all intents and purposes, there’s no replacing Chris Doran,” said Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding. “Her skill set, experience, and passion for ministry are unique.”
In discerning and creating this combined position, Bishop Webb looked at models from around the United Methodist connection, in consultation with current staff and episcopal colleagues. In the Northeastern Jurisdiction, both the West Virginia and New England conferences have successfully combined the Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries roles.
“Combining positions will enable a focused approached to equipping staff and ministries in both the Episcopal and Conference offices,” Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding said. That includes coaching, collaborating, assisting, and providing resources to local churches in their mission to make disciples for Christ.
Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding said the current role of the Executive Assistant to the Bishop has been to aid the Bishop in preparing for meetings, events, and other activities; providing oversight and guidance to projects of high importance as identified by the Bishop; and coordinating the work of the Episcopal Office. The Director of Connectional Ministries has served as the steward of the Conference vision, including its development, clarification, interpretation, and embodiment. The Director of Connectional Ministries has also served as chief of Conference staff, working with executive staff to ensure the alignment of the resources of the Conference to fulfill its purpose and vision.
In the past, having two separate positions was helpful following the formation of the new Conference. As the needs of the Conference have changed, combining the positions is now the best use of current Conference resources.
It will be a “big job,” though, and Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding said some of the current responsibilities assigned to each position will need to be shifted to others.
“Thankfully, the Conference is served by able staff who can take on these new responsibilities,” he said. “So, though challenging, the change certainly isn’t impossible.”
He also said the same qualities necessary for effectiveness in any Conference staff position will be required for his new role. Those qualities include a “deep and growing faith in Christ, a desire to help the local church be successful in making disciples, understanding and appreciating the value of the United Methodist connection, good listening and communication skills, openness to perspectives and gifts of diverse people, and the capacity to learn from mistakes,” he said.
Bishop Webb stated that while cost-savings will be a benefit in this change, that it is not the primary motivation. “It’s about aligning resources in the best possible way to fulfill our mission. Combining these two positions will allow us to better coordinate and resource staff and volunteers as we strive to develop transformational leaders that will then make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the entire world,” Bishop Webb said. “I continue to be deeply grateful for the ministry of Chris Doran and invite you to join me in prayer for Rev. Gottschalk-Fielding as he prepares to assume this new role.”