Haggard’s Colorado church cuts 44 positions

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Colorado Springs, Colo., megachurch formerly headed by evangelical leader Ted Haggard has laid off 44 staffers, citing a 10 percent decline in revenue since Haggard resigned from the pastorate of New Life Church after a gay sex and drug scandal in November 2006. Haggard also resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals.

The cuts, which include a range of administrators, custodians and nursery workers, amount to about 12 percent of New Life Church’s paid staff, the Denver Post reported.