Budget Cuts Win Approval

28 workers lose jobs under
plan approved by GAC panel

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE – The executive committee of the General Assembly Council (GAC) has approved a 2005-2006 budget-cutting plan that will cost 28 employees at the Presbyterian Center their jobs.

The plan also outlines new work to be undertaken by the GAC, especially in the areas of communication, mission funding and support for connections between Presbyterians and worldwide mission. The plan was approved as developed by senior GAC staff. No changes were proposed by the executive committee, which met at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary May 7-8.

The spending plan permanently reduces the General Assembly's twoyear mission budget by $4.6 million, to $114.4 million. Commissioners to the upcoming 216th General Assembly in Richmond will be asked to endorse the GAC plan.

“We’ve worked very hard with lots of sweat and tears,” GAC Executive Director John Detterick said of the plan. “It’s a quality product…especially because of the work you've done on the Mission Work Plan.”

That plan, adopted by the council in February, establishes four priorities—evangelism and witness, justice and compassion, spirituality and discipleship, and leadership and vocation _ and 24 specific objectives for the council’s work. Staff leaders said their budget decisions were made in keeping with those objectives.