GAMC lays off 49 as
giving continues to decline
By Edward Terry, The Layman, May 15, 2010
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) concluded its meeting this week by passing slashed budgets for 2011 and 2012, then later in the day cut 73.5 positions, resulting in 34 national staffers learning Friday that they no longer have a job.
“Our role is changing from doing mission on behalf of the church to inspiring, equipping and connecting the church for mission and ministry,” said Linda Valentine, GAMC executive director. “At the same time, God calls us to look at our resources honestly. We must be sure we live within our means to sustain ministry into the future.”
That changing role prompted the denomination to take a long, hard look at the budget for the upcoming year, resulting in a reduction of approximately $11.8 million from 2010 to 2011, and a decrease of approximately $1.5 million from 2011 to 2012. Over the next two years, the GAMC’s budget will drop from the current $93.8 million budget to $80.55 million for 2012.
The GAMC approved the new budget during its Friday morning session, but held off on announcing specifics about employee layoffs until the end of the work day. The GAMC discussed the budget cuts in closed session on Thursday, and prayer for those who will be affected was a prevalent theme throughout the week.
In all, 73.5 positions were eliminated, according to a GAMC news release. Here’s how the math works out: 73 full-time positions and one part-time position were eliminated. However, 12 of those positions were already vacant, 12 others accepted buyout packages earlier this year. That leaves the net of 49 positions eliminated Friday. However, 15 of those 49 were offered new positions in the restructured GAMC. The GAMC staff now will total 341.
A list of specific positions cut was not provided, but most of the reductions were in Congregational Ministries Publishing, and in the areas of Shared Services, and Communications and Funds Development, the news release stated.
“While it is crucial for us to change how we do ministry and how we use our resources, we never forget that behind the decisions are the lives and livelihoods of colleagues and friends,” Valentine said. “I am grateful for the dedicated work of all of our employees. In particular, I want to personally thank those who are leaving us for their faithful service to the church.”
All employees whose positions were eliminated will be offered separation packages that include notice pay, severance and outplacement service.
Valentine announced a new strategy for moving forward amidst fewer dollars flowing into the denomination’s coffers.
“The 2011-12 GAMC Plan and Budget answers a bold call – to discern and live into the future God intends for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),” Valentine said. “This plan reflects healthy change that is adaptive to trends in the church and the world, and that is consistent with projected resources.”
According to the GAMC news release, the budget and plan approved by the council includes:
- The completion of a reshaped comprehensive strategy for World Mission. No mission personnel are being recalled and the percentage of the GAMC budget dedicated to mission sending increases from 11 percent to 13 percent.
- Congregational Ministries Publishing will be re-organized in order to be financially self-supporting in all English language curriculum and educational resources beginning in 2011. Self-support is achieved through a continuation of increased sales coupled with decreased costs that bring it into alignment with religious publishing standards. The GAMC will support the net cost of Korean, Spanish, Portuguese and Braille curriculum, the news release states.
- Separate offices for Korean ministry in the Evangelism and Church Growth and Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries areas no longer will be maintained. Some functions and funding will be combined, while other functions will conclude.
- Evangelism and Church Growth will continue its focus on the health and vibrancy of congregations. An associate for theology will be refocused on issues of “ministry from the margins,” with particular focus on second generation new immigrant ministries. Curriculum will continue to be published in Korean.
- Staffing levels are being reduced in Shared Services and Communications and Funds Development to reduce costs and eliminate duplication of functions.
Funds to synods and presbyteries through national mission partnership were not reduced, which is good news to middle governing bodies already straining to survive. The struggle of the national office for “sustainability” mirrors the challenges faces by many PCUSA congregations, presbyteries and synods facing declining membership and declining gifts.