First Baptist Valley City Creates Committee on Church Efficiency (COCE)

by Ben BeEssen

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk has been in the headlines quite a bit lately. Musk has been tasked with cutting government waste and fraud, and he and his team have been hard at work since Trump’s inauguration. DOGE has inspired states, cities, and Valley County to implement similar measures to cut fraud and waste. Now, it appears a Valley church has been inspired by DOGE to cut waste and repetitiveness with the church.

First Baptist Valley City (FBVC) is the largest church in Valley City and Valley County. FBVC’s new Chairman of Deacons is Ron Radeucer, and he is an accountant and organizational efficiency specialist (OES). He has felt there is too much waste and too many committees at FBVC for a while, and he’s using his power as chairman to do something about it.

Radeucer said, “I’ve complained about it, and I’ve heard others complain about it for years too. But, I’ve never been in a position to do something about it, but now it’s time. I understand that some members won’t be happy with what I’m planning to do, but that’s ok. My goal is to make so many people mad that I’ll never be appointed as chairman again.”

Radeucer has a plan. He added, “I have formed the Committee on Church Efficiency (COCE). I read the bylaws, and I know it can be done. Plus, our pastor is on board with it. I’ll handpick 7 members, and we’re going to get to work, and we’re going to be transparent like DOGE. We have 30 committees, and I want to get down to 15 or less. I also plan to change the name of the Committee on Committees; I cringe every time I hear someone say it. I have some different names in mind like the Managing Committee, Quarterback Committee, and a few more. Additionally, we’re going to cut some waste.”

Radeucer has identified some ways to save money and cut waste. Radeucer said, “COCE plans to do away with the bulletin. It costs us hundreds of dollars each year to print the bulletin. We’re going to continue to have a bulletin, but it will be electronic. We’ll provide a QR code on the big screen and throughout the church for people to scan with their cell phones. Additionally, COCE will recommend to the Greeting/Coffee Committee to start using off brand coffee, and we’re going to recommend not providing doughnuts or pastries on Sunday mornings. Also, we’re going to recommend cutting the church staff’s “team building” retreat to the Gulf Coast each year. This will save us thousands each year.”

Radeucer said, “People are probably going to be angry with me, and that’s ok. We’re going to be transparent with the church and let them know what’s going on. After seeing the increase in efficiency within the church and the extra savings, I think they’ll be pleased.”

I was able to speak with a couple members about COCE. An older female member said, “I hope Ron doesn’t start messing with the Homecoming Committee. I know we haven’t had homecoming in 6 years, and our committee hasn’t met in 3 years. But, they really don’t need to cut this committee; I’ve been on it for 25 years.”

A younger female member said, “I’m not too keen on the off brand coffee. I love my coffee, and I can tell the difference between premium and mediocre coffee. The cool hip pastor and good coffee are the two main reasons I come to FVBC. I’m not pleased about this.”

It will be interesting to see how FBVC members react to COCE. We’ll keep you up to date on COCE and its impact on FBVC.