The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Recent Round of Layoffs

As some of you may have heard by now, my denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has gone through another round of lay-offs at our national offices. There will be plenty of time to debate the motivations, ramifications and the overall future of our denomination’s institutional structure, but at this moment we grieve for and with friends and colleagues who have lost their jobs. No matter what one feels about the institution or its strategic directions the folks who lost their jobs today are people who have given time and energy to serve the church and, in this capacity, that time for is over.

These moves were taken as part of the approval of a 2013-2014 budget. From the official Presbyterian New Service Release

The proposed budget eliminates 14 current positions as part of the strategic realignment, and it creates 18 new positions. In addition, 17 vacant positions have been eliminated, producing a net change of 13 positions overall, changing the size of the GAMC workforce from 321 to 308.

“We have made every effort to minimize the number of employees impacted by these changes while also realigning the organization with our strategy,” said Valentine.

These actions, no matter the faithfulness of the strategy or intent, becomes yet another painful part of our journey together as a community seeking its way forward. I have not been silent with folks about my frustrations over past reductions, our focus on self-preservation and our propensity for limited creativity, but in this case, these decisions felt as strategic, true and faithful to the current direction as it has ever been. And while I certainly could argue about that direction and or ways that I would love to see things go – and it really is all about me – I can sit with my vote a little more comfortably than I have been able to that in the past.

So before the inner-pundit in us all starts the inevitable process of second-guessing and debate, please please please pray for those who have received news today about the loss of their jobs; may they may find some peace and work however and whenever God intends. Pray for those who will be left behind that they are not overwhelmed by the pain of these losses or the burden of increased workloads. And pray for us as a church, that we may continue to seek the mind of Christ and the will of God together.

Lord hear our prayer.