NORFOLK, Va. -- Lingering debt and controversy surrounding administrative issues led the senior pastor of a Norfolk-area mega-church to resign June 2, according to the Norfolk Pilot.

The Rev. John S. Powers served the 5,500-member First Baptist Church of Norfolk for four years.

Financial issues often plague pastors, according to studies by The Barna Research Group. A 2001 Barna survey reported just 31 percent of pastors rated themselves above-average in fund raising. Fifty-three percent rated themselves good at administration or management.

Powers' trouble revolved around a $450,000 budget shortfall in 2001, caused in part by debt incurred during a building project. As a result, 16 full- and part-time staff were laid off, and the church's Sunday television broadcasts were canceled.

The church's deacons appointed a fact-finding team to study Powers' effectiveness in April after attendance declined. When the team suggested Powers take a sabbatical, he turned in his resignation.

A letter mailed to all church members June 3 credited Powers with several accomplishments, according to the Pilot. Four new churches were established under Powers' leadership, and he also had outlined a program for new members and plans for debt reduction, according to the letter. More than 150 people were baptized at First Baptist in recent months, and the church's military ministry reached out to 270 families last fall.

Church members have called for more accountability and lay input in church operations, according to the Pilot. A search committee will be named to look for Powers' replacement.