NEW YORK — Citing financial shortfalls, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has decided not to renew the contracts of 18 Methodist missionaries whose contracts expire in 2003. Despite many losses in the field, Methodist leaders said that the actual personnel cuts were less than the number projected by the board in 2002.
“The loss of regular missionaries in 2003 will be even smaller than projected late last year,” announced Bishop Joel N. Martinez of San Antonio, president of the board, and R. Randy Day, general secretary.
According to the board, 93 of the 144 missionaries whose terms expire this year will be reassigned. Of the 144, 15 missionaries are retiring, 18 have asked not to be reassigned and another 18 contracts will not be renewed for financial reasons. Fourteen of the 51 missionaries who will be retiring or otherwise leaving service are clergy. According to Day, missionary service was the last area that the board decided to cut during budget planning.
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