By Marta W. Aldrich*
Sept. 23, 2008 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)

Three weeks into his new job, the leader of the United Methodist agency overseeing denominational finances has dismissed two top executives.

Moses Kumar announced to staff on Sept. 23 that Marsha Base and the Rev. Terry Bradfield are no longer with the General Council on Finance and Administration.

Bradfield had been deputy executive for operations, and Base was associate executive over organizational development. Both had been part of a three-person interim leadership team that oversaw the council's daily operations for almost a year after Sandra Lackore announced her early retirement in 2007.

"We wish Marsha and Terry well in their endeavors as they pursue their personal ministries," Kumar said in a brief news release from the Nashville-based agency.

The news release said the roles filled by Bradfield and Base, "while pivotal and which brought a tone of transparency and cooperation to the agency during their terms, will be assumed by General Secretary Moses Kumar for the current timeframe."

Contacted by United Methodist News Service, both Bradfield and Base declined to comment.

Both joined the council in 2005 and were informed of their dismissals on Sept. 22. They had served on the interim leadership team with John Goolsbey, deputy executive for administration. Goolsbey remains in his position.

Bishop Lindsey Davis, the council's new president, referred all questions about the personnel changes to Kumar. Staff members said Kumar was unavailable for an interview on Sept. 23.

Kumar was elected in July to replace Lackore after a five-month search. With more than 32 years of ministry experience, he was most recently treasurer and executive director of administrative ministries for the church's Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference.

As the council's chief executive and treasurer, Kumar leads the agency in developing and implementing the finances of the 11.5 million-member worldwide denomination, as well as safeguarding the legal rights and interests of The United Methodist Church.

*Aldrich is news editor of United Methodist News Service.

News media contact: Marta Aldrich, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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Resources

General Council on Finance and Administration