Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) forced to cut jobs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) laid off 30 people May 3 and eliminated 10 other vacant positions. The cuts are the third round of job reductions in the last few years and reflect a decline in membership as well as giving. The denomination employs around 600 workers. They include those overseeing international missions, national agencies and support services for local congregations. This year’s cuts are needed to close a projected $4.5 million gap between revenue and expenses in the church’s $114 million budget for next year.

Denomination officials attributed the gap to a sluggish economy as well as the growing tendency among churches to earmark their contributions for specific projects, rather than providing undesignated contributions for general church use. Conservative church-watchers say the denomination is shrinking due to its liberal drift in recent years.