Tough budget times have caused the Dallas-based Baptist General Convention of Texas, the state’s largest Baptist group, to lay off 29 of its more than 300 employees. The workers were informed Monday and today that their jobs are being eliminated, effective Oct. 31.
Declining giving by member churches in recent years had caused the BGCT to rely on earnings and interests from reserves. The group’s leadership chose to move away from “off budget income sources,†and layoffs were a result.
Ten of the eliminated jobs are within the BGCT’s Missions, Evangelism and Ministry Team. Several others are support and clerical positions.
The affected workers will be given severance pay and help in finding other work. They can apply for four BGCT jobs that are being created to combine the work of eight eliminated positions.
The BGCT’s board voted last week to recommend a $50.1 million 2008 budget. That’s $473,000 less than the 2007 budget, and includes no salary increases for remaining staff.
