Cost cutting continues at Baptist Building

Posted: 4/15/08

Cost cutting continues at Baptist Building

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

DALLAS—To cut costs, five additional Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board staff positions are being cut, the research and development team is disbanding, counseling will be outsourced and the WorldconneX missions network will move its offices to the Baptist Building.

BGCT Executive Director Randel Everett announced April 15 the elimination of five staff positions, adding he expects these to be “the final staff cuts.” Earlier, six positions were cut from the BGCT Service Center.

The staff cuts “bring some real financial savings” at a time when the BGCT faces a projected $5.3 million shortfall from the approved 2008 budget, Everett noted. But, he added, “the cuts have not come without pain to individuals and the convention.”

The eliminated posts have been occupied by Lynn Eckeberger, director of the research and development team, and his associate, Ed Hale; Don Sewell, executive liaison of missions relationships; counseling and psychological services specialist Rick Owen and marriage and family specialist/pastoral care specialist Kathy Owen.

“Some essential functions” performed by research and development are being moved to other program areas, Everett explained, and the most of the responsibilities carried by Sewell are being transferred to the Texas Partnerships missions office.

“We will reorganize our counseling ministry in order to better connect ministers around the state with competent counselors,” Everett said. “This will require closing of the Dallas counseling office and elimination of two staff positions. One staff person will then serve to help connect more ministers and their families with approved, licensed counselors in their area of the state.”

WorldconneX will be asked to relocate its offices to the Baptist Building.

“WorldconneX currently pays for office space in another Dallas location,” Everett explained. “Such a move would save money and help WorldconneX and the BGCT Missions, Evangelism and Ministries Team work more closely together.”

In an effort to “place our resources in the most critical ministries to impact churches directly,” Everett announced he and his leadership council agreed to fund fully the Missions, Evangelism and Ministries Team and the Collegiate Ministries Team.

“In these tough economic times the Baptist General Convention of Texas is committed to living within its resources,” Everett said. “The BGCT also is committed to using Cooperative Program dollars in the most effective ways to have a direct impact on our churches and our world. These are driving principles for us.”