Beset by scandal and a subsequent decline in giving, New Life Church in Colorado Springs has laid off 44 people – or about 12 percent of its workforce – a church official said Sunday.
The nondenominational megachurch had experienced attendance and financial growth in each of its 22 previous years, said Rob Brendle, an associate pastor.
That ended in early November when its charismatic founding pastor, the Rev. Ted Haggard, was fired amid allegations he used methamphetamine and paid a male prostitute for sex.
Brendle estimated church income has been down 10 percent since then, forcing the layoffs. The layoffs range from pastoral staff to support staff and part-time nursery workers. Brendle said the cuts took place last week and were announced at Sunday services.