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Budget cuts force reduction in Presbyterian staffing and missionary work
2002-113-4
5/7/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
The Presbyterian Church (USA) is cutting funding and personnel for overseas missions programs by 10 per cent as a result of a $5.3 million budget cut. A $130 million budget for 2003 eliminates the jobs of 43 national staff members and 34 long-term mission workers.
'A lot of people are jumping to the conclusion we are doing this because church members are withholding money,' the PCUSA's associate director for communication, Gary Luhr, told ENI. 'That simply is not true.' Luhr gave two main reasons for the cuts: a shortfall in revenues due to a loss on endowment funds and investments, and a vote to establish two new mission initiatives which required shifting funds away from current mission programs.
The two new mission initiatives are a $500,000 denomination-wide educational program on the Bible, the sacraments and the meaning of being Presbyterian, and a $1 million effort to support a $40 million fund-raising drive for new church development, racial-ethnic church growth and more postings for mission personnel.
Officials distributed termination notices on April 29, with staff required to vacate their offices by May 3. Two additional positions will be eliminated by the end of the year. Twenty-one vacant positions were also cut.
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