The economic crisis and the recession that is gripping our nation have affected all of us. The impact has hit close to home, as people struggle with layoffs, salary reductions, making payments on their mortgages and credit cards, and higher costs for energy and food.

Our synod has also been affected by these economic conditions. As I write this article, synodical leaders are in the final stages of developing a budget that will require significant reductions in the work that we do as a synod.

The planning efforts have focused on two things: reducing expenses significantly across all areas of ministry and considering plans for the future that will stabilize our financial situation and help us avoid a repeat of the circumstances that require sudden and drastic cutbacks in ministry.

As areas of ministry make plans for the next two years, they have been asked to make reductions first in administrative costs—personnel, travel, and meetings. The budget process is not complete, but some reductions have already been identified. In Ministry Support alone (which includes the President’s Office, Financial Services, Communication Services, Technology Office, Ministry of Christian Giving, and facilities), approximately 14 positions will be eliminated. Administrative cuts in the areas of ministry will add to this total. Synodical schools will be reducing faculty size by increasing the number of teaching hours for faculty members. Salaries for synodical workers will be frozen at current levels.

Once administrative reductions have been identified, the areas of ministry have been asked to determine what ministry programs will be reduced or eliminated. It’s a painful and difficult process, but the reality of our financial situation requires it.

The second focus of planning has been to consider ways to stabilize the funding for our synod’s ministry. We have typically planned our ministry on anticipated income. But more than once in recent years, and especially in 2008–2009, the income actually received was far less than what was anticipated. When that happens, sudden and drastic reductions need to be made. Or when cuts are deemed too difficult, we have resorted to special appeals and offerings to maintain our level of ministry. It’s noble and commendable to want to do more, but we have tried to support ongoing ministry with one-time dollars, often with frustrating results.