ALPHARETTA, Ga.  The North American Mission Board plans to cut $11 million from its 2004 budget, eliminate 31 full- and part-time positions, including seven that are currently filled, American Baptist Press reported.
The news service said the mission board's proposed $118 million budget is 6 percent less than this year. It must be approved by Southern Baptist Convention trustees during their meeting Oct. 8.
Cuts include $3 million from travel expenses, 1.6 million in communication projects, more than $4 million from support of various programs and $1.7 million from personal expenses.
Sluggish contribution and the economy were blamed for the cuts. NAMB is not the only SBC entity facing cuts.
In June, the SBC International Mission Board eliminated 61 positions, affecting 37 employees. A recent survey of eight large state Baptist conventions showed all are receiving less money from churches than last year, the news service reported.
The 31 staff reductions at NAMB will include 12 positions that are vacant and won't be filled. Three employees whose jobs were eliminated will retire; nine others are transferring to other jobs at the agency. The remaining seven will lose their jobs. The agency employs approximately 460 people.
