Missouri convention cuts staff by 20 percent

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — At least 22 Missouri Baptist Convention employees have lost their jobs as a result of the convention’s current economic woes.

In a letter to pastors and other leaders, David Clippard, convention executive director, said a budget shortfall in 2002 forced the convention to reduce its workforce by “just over” 20 percent in mid-January.

The state convention finished 2002 almost 16 percent below its original $19.2 million budget for the year. The convention’s executive board in December authorized new executive Clippard “to do whatever is necessary to adjust staff to bring the convention into financial stability.” At the same meeting, however, the board added two associate executive director positions.

Clippard has declined to confirm the number or names of employees terminated. In his letter, he said the staff had been warned in September about the possibility of cuts. Some staffers were notified as early as mid-December that they would lose their jobs.  Clippard’s letter noted that severance had been granted to the employees released, but he declined to disclose information about the severance packages to the Word & Way.