4 July 2015 | San Antonio, Texas, USA [Victor Pilmoor with Victor Hulbert, tedNEWS] The after-lunch slot is never the best time to speak – so when lunch is delayed due to the late finishing morning session it was impressive how many delegates made it back for what is usually the most technical – and therefore, the most sleep-inducing of reports. However, British Union Conference Treasurer, Victor Pilmoor, has a high regard for retiring World Church Treasurer, Bob Lemon – so made sure he was back in time for the full impact of his report:
“When Bob Lemon gets up to speak, it’s time for me to sit down, shut up, listen and learn all I can. This is no time for political slapstick. With Bob there is not a shred of self-promotion, personal agenda or partisanship. His calm lumbering presence conceals a sharp mind, comprehensive horizon, deep experience and scintillating humour. All this, with self-effacing humility.
There are some for whom the motto ‘give them the job and they’ll finish the tools’ might apply. There are many people who will throw resources at their pet projects with ego and conviction while bearing little conscience for the outcome. Less still regret and apology.
He has been steadfast in controlling the spread of ‘central services’. This is no mean feat. Believe me, in Treasury somebody shows up every day with a ‘one man bandit’ mindset, i.e. ‘my ministry is the left arm of the message’, more money here and Ka-Ching – God’s purpose will be accomplished. For those critical of projects that have slipped through the goal-keeper’s gloves, spare a thought for the many he will have blocked, though he will have had to concede the occasional penalty shoot-out. Star Strikers have a mean way of blindsiding and prima donnas take some facing down.
Bob believes in subsidiarity, devolving decisions closest to the point of action. This is a strength and, for the most part, wisdom. The guy who directs the world purse cannot assess every local call. The downside is that in so doing you release control of resources to others who may not share this philosophy. In short, to what end do you locate resources at the Divisions or institutions if they themselves hold an empire view? Bob would say, ‘that is their conscience’. The accounts as presented, represent the resources over which the GC has primary control.
There is a strong argument in support of clarity through non-consolidation, the picture is difficult enough as it is. Yet, for those who really want transparency, Divisions will have to become publicly accountable to a membership based constituency. On the one hand when it comes to policy, Divisions are apparently integral to the GC but when it comes to resources and accountability, they are not. This tension will be severely tested in the next week over a variety of issues, not to speak of unity in years to come.
The weakness of this mission strategy, as equally pointed out by the Secretariat report, is that if you send all the players into offensive positions you leave defence exposed. The new dominance of the ‘Global South’ has left the ‘Global North’ exposed, while the goal-keeper has run forward to the 10/40 no-man’s land. The presumption that the work can be finished in the north using southern rules is just as suspect as when the north was imperialistic about its cultural assumptions.
Bob Lemon now retires. A faithful servant. Friday afternoon saw his replacement elected. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Juan Prestol-Puesán is well experienced, having served as treasurer in various administrative levels, including the Atlantic Union Conference, the Euro-Asia Division, and the North American Division.
As a Union treasurer, Mr Pilmoor is pleased. “I first met Juan at a Church Auditing seminar about 20 years ago. He was charming and generous then and has remained so on the handful of occasions since. Since he has been at the top seat for most of that time, he will be a safe pair of hands. Hopefully another insightful mentor.” [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
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