Scripture Union announces plans for a flexible, digital future

The leadership of Scripture Union in England and Wales today announced a major re-shaping to create a more cost-effective, flexible, mission-focused organisation. The aim is to minimise overheads and drive resources from fixed costs into longer-term development of front-line mission through field work, publishing and holiday and mission events.

Scripture Union’s publishing arm will build on its ground-breaking commitment to digital resources, though its much-valued Bible Reading Guides and resources for churches will still be available in printed format.

Face-to-face work with children and young people will be increasingly managed and funded regionally, allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness to local needs and opportunities. Central costs will also be pared down, with head office positions being reduced.

This is the most radical re-shaping of the organisation in a generation following on from the strategic investment in digital ministries. To achieve it the movement will shed some staff posts and seek to increase the number of locally based associate roles. The move is likely to reduce the number of existing staff posts by 25. Any employees could potentially be affected, and any that are will be offered help to find new work.

Commenting on the developments, Scripture Union Chief Executive Keith Civval said "Our calling to make God's good news known to children, young people and families hasn't changed. We've been carefully seeking God for the way forward and this move is about being faithful to our heritage in a new context. These are tough recessionary times and we can't do everything, so we are choosing to invest limited resources wisely. "

Scripture Union has begun a comprehensive consultation with its staff, which will be concluded by the end of November. The new model will come into effect in January 2010.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Scripture Union is a volunteer-based mission movement founded in 1867. Scripture Union in England and Wales is part of a worldwide movement in over 120 countries and is a leader in helping churches make God's good news known to children, young people and families, and in encouraging people of all ages to meet God daily through the Bible and prayer.

For more information, contact Keith Civval, Chief Executive, Scripture Union (England and Wales) on 01908 856110 or 07813 640 360