Religion • Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) plans more job cuts

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) plans more job cuts
May. 11, 2012 | \The Louisville-based Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) plans another round of job cuts and budget reductions for the coming two years, shifting more ministry from headquarters to congregations amid membership losses and wider economic woes.

The denomination will cut a net total of 13 jobs, or about four percent of the staff of its General Assembly Mission Council, which employs of the church workers at its Waterfront headquarters, according to a vote by the council board. That will bring total mission staff to 308, about half what it was a decade ago before a steady series of cuts.
The May 11 council vote requires final ratification by the denomination’s General Assembly this summer, but assemblies in past years have typically approved council actions.
The budget builds on previous strategic plans “by continuing the shift away from doing ministry on behalf of the church and toward inspiring, equipping, and connecting the church for Christ’s mission,” Linda Valentine, executive director for the council, said in a statement.
Valentine said the church has made “every effort to minimize the number of employees impacted by these changes while also realigning the organization with our strategy.”
Fourteen current workers will see their jobs cut, with another 17 vacant positions being eliminated. Eighteen new jobs will be created, for a net loss of 13. Those slated for layoffs can apply for the new ones and in some cases have already been offered positions, spokeswoman Jessica Reid said.
The job cuts come in a variety of areas, she said. Most of the staff is based in Louisville, with some in field work.
The council staff works in such areas as world mission, evangelism, communications and administration and in racial, ethnic and women’s ministries.
The strategic plan includes helping create “1,001 new worshiping communities” around the country — seeking creative ways to reach people that traditional congregations aren’t — and promoting discipleship, leadership development and outreach to young adults.
Goals include a reorganization of world mission staff, a tripling of young adult volunteers and increased work in ethnic ministries, interfaith work and socially responsible investing.
The budgets of $82 million for 2013 and $78 million are lower than the $87 million originally budgeted for 2012, but the church has already been cutting spending through hiring freezes and other reductions.
The financial struggles come amid years of membership losses within the denomination, which now has 2 million confirmed members. Its median age is rising, and it has seen individuals and congregations depart due to the liberal stands taken by the denomination in sexuality and theology.

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