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GAC Executive Committee announces mandatory furlough, elimination of 2010 salary increases

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mwkruse
in ,

Presbyterian News Service: GAC Executive Committee announces mandatory furlough, elimination of 2010 salary increases

Moves will save nearly $1.5 million as GAC labors to balance budgets.

LOUISVILLE ― In the first two moves gauged to overcome a multi-million shortfall brought on by the global economic crisis, General Assembly Council (GAC) staff members at the Presbyterian Center were told today (March 6) that they will have an unpaid one-week furlough May 17-23 and will receive no salary increases in 2010.

The decision was made by the GAC Executive Committee during a conference call this week. Later this month, the GAC will review additional steps required to revise the 2009 and 2010 mission budgets.

Folks, it is this part of the job I really hate. We will have more tough decisions about a host of issues this month. The staff is living in the midst of this daily. Please keep the staff and the board in your prayers as we seek God's wisdom.

Comments

6 responses to “GAC Executive Committee announces mandatory furlough, elimination of 2010 salary increases”

  1. Rick McGinniss Avatar
    Rick McGinniss

    Wow, tough stuff.
    I’m curious to know if your readers are facing similar moves in their ministries.

    Reply
  2. Dennis Sanders Avatar
    Dennis Sanders

    Since I work at the Presbytery level, I keep wondering when this is going to hit us.

    Reply
  3. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    I think it already has had an impact on some presbyteries around the country. Depends more on local economy I suppose.

    Reply
  4. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    Rick, I’d be interested to know as well. The impact seems to be very uneven based on location and type of ministry.

    Reply
  5. William Apel Avatar
    William Apel

    I was in the military from the early 70’s to the early 90’s. I recall an occasion from the mid-70’s.
    One observer stated that even though the military was currently about 20% the size it had been at the height of WWII, it had more general officers than those times of such a large force.
    If our denomination continues on the slow, shrinking slide, then our leaders need to adjust the number of “generals” (i.e. synods, presbyteries, and size of GAC).
    OR
    We can do something about the slow, shrinking slide, such as my response to Eva Stimson:
    To: Eva Stimson
    Subject: Growing the church deep and wide
    Message:
    ”As long as the ‘paid professional’ (Shirley Guthrie’s words) and the other leaders of the church believe that the definition of “sent” is to remain behind a desk in the church office, this church will continue its long slide in membership.
    ”All of the mission work doesn’t count. Yes, continue the mission work, but there is a Presbyterian way to ‘shake the dust off your sandals’ and GO to the people.
    ”For all of the theological differences between churches such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptists, or Mormons and our church, at least they are going to the people and NOT waiting for them to walk in the door.”
    Evangelical churches are growing. Mainline protestant churches are shrinking.
    And yes, I will keep the staff and the board in my prayers as they seek God’s wisdom.
    Shalom,
    Bill

    Reply
  6. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    All good stuff Bill. The GAC’s work is turning more and more to collaborative networking efforts. We are trying to focus on what can best be done from a national level to help and equip Presbyterians to “GO” into the world. The change in orientation over my five years of service has been quite remarkable and we are just getting started. That doesn’t mean its painless.
    As a side note, my presby friends should check out http://www.presbygrow.net to learn more about PCUSA resources and networks for church-planting and church transformation options.
    Look forward to seeing you in a couple of days.

    Reply

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