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Two of the nation's largest mainline denominations are trimming their budgets. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will cut its 2003 spending by $1.2 million, or 1.4 percent. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) cut its 2004 budget by $3.1 million, or 2.38 percent.

The ELCA, with 5.1 million members, said six full-time employees will lose their jobs. The denomination will also eliminate three vacant positions and let three contracted positions expire.

The ELCA's Church Council, which acts as a board of directors, approved the cutbacks April 5. The 2003 budget is $83.6 million.

Charles Miller, the church's administration executive, blamed the cuts on "the harsh realities of the struggling domestic economy and a projected drop in income."

Some of the cuts will come by eliminating ELCA's financial support for the venerable Protestant Hour radio program. The church will also reduce a subsidy to The Lutheran magazine.

In April PCUSA leaders adopted a $126.9 million budget for national and international ministries. The denomination, with 2.6 million members, eliminated 19 staff positions and used $1.67 million from its savings accounts to help pay for current obligations. Cuts at the Worldwide Ministries Division totaled $190,000. The revised budget was up for a vote at the PCUSA's 215th General Assembly last month in Denver.

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The official sites of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have more information.

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June 2003, Vol. 47, No. 6