Budget crunch in Texas costs convention 20 jobs

DALLAS — Twenty positions have been eliminated from the 220-member workforce of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Executive Board.

The 10 percent reduction in full-time workers is the first step in a plan to bring expenditures in line with anticipated receipts. The convention has been operating at about 90 percent of budget this year, on the heels of an unmet budget the previous year.

The second phase of cutbacks, a reorganization of ministry priorities and cuts in ministry budgets, will be considered by the BGCT Administrative Committee when it meets Sept. 4­­–5.

The staff cuts will be effective Aug. 31. The reduction is predicted to save the convention about $1.15 million in budgeted funds.