NCC Governing Board approves leadership transition process

General Secretary Michael Kinnamon
to step down due to health reasons

Chicago, November 9, 2011 ― The National Council of Churches Governing Board approved a “process for a stable and grace-filled transition” after General Secretary Michael Kinnamon announced his intention to leave his position due to health reasons.

Members of the governing board received the news with reverence and respect for Kinnamon’s leadership of the council during the last four years. Many expressed a sense of loss and offered tributes of appreciation for his ministry.

NCC President Peg Chemberlin noted that “Kinnamon’s announcement comes at a challenging time for the life of the council but we’re encouraged that Michael is willing to work with us on this important transition and be a resource to us going forward.”

The two-part Nov. 9 action by the NCC’s Governing Board came after Kinnamon, 62, said his cardiologist insisted that the stresses of his current position -- particularly the extensive travel required -- must be reduced immediately and significantly.

The council’s existing Task Force on General Secretary Oversight will meet with Kinnamon to draft a mutually agreeable separation agreement that the NCC’s Executive Committee can act upon at its December meeting.

At the same time, NCC President Peg Chemberlin and President-elect Kathryn Lohre will develop a proposal for transitional leadership for the Executive Committee to consider in December.

Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA has been the leading force for shared ecumenical witness among Christians in the United States. The NCC's 37 member communions -- from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches -- include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the nation.

NCC News contact:  Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2228 (office), 646-853-4212 (cell), pjenks@ncccusa.org