Lutherans cut budget, lay off nine employees

CHICAGO — The nation’s largest Lutheran church will cut its operations by $1.2 million and eliminate nine staff positions to balance against lower-than-expected income.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) said six full-time employees will lose their jobs, and three vacant positions will be eliminated. In addition, three contracted positions will soon expire.

The ELCA’s church council, which acts as a board of directors, approved the cutbacks April 5. The 2003 budget is now $83.6 million after cutbacks totaling $1.7 million.

Charles Miller, the church’s administration executive, blamed the cuts on “the harsh realities of the struggling domestic economy and a projected drop in income.”