NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has
announced that in light of the economic recession and a reduction in
Cooperative Program funding, the seminary will lay off three professors, ask
four professors to shift to part-time status, and eliminate six ministry-based
faculty positions, effective Aug. 1.
New Orleans Seminary President Chuck Kelley made the public announcement in a
statement to Baptist Press late April 1, after telling seminary staff and
faculty. Earlier, he met personally with the individuals affected by the cuts.
The changes will be presented to the seminary trustees at their April 12-13
meeting as a part of the proposed budget for next year.
Following is Kelley’s full statement:
“As a result of the ongoing effects of the recession, the decline in
Cooperative Program (CP) giving, and the recent reduction of projections for
expected CP income next year, some difficult personnel decisions are necessary.
Our budget and staff had already been slashed — first after hurricane Katrina,
and again in austerity budgets since the beginning of the economic recession.
Now the seminary has no alternative but to make faculty personnel cuts. We
simply no longer have income sufficient to support our current level of
full-time faculty. Therefore, in order to present a balanced budget to our
Trustees, with great reluctance and regret, we must reduce the number of
full-time faculty, effective August 1, 2011. The changes in next year’s budget
include laying off three professors, asking four professors to shift to
part-time status, and eliminating six ministry-based faculty positions. All of
these individuals will be paid full salary through the end of the academic year
in July. Although curricular needs may require us to fill a few
mission-critical positions, all other open positions will remain vacant for the
immediate future.
“The actions we are taking now are similar to steps already taken in many SBC
churches, conventions, and entities. However, seminary communities have more of
a family atmosphere than some other ministries. These individuals whose
positions are being eliminated are people we love — our colleagues and friends.
We deeply regret having to make this painful move, but economic necessity
requires us to do so. We are profoundly grateful to Southern Baptists for their
support by continued giving through the Cooperative Program during such
difficult times. I encourage the NOBTS family and all Southern Baptists to pray
for these families and the thousands of others across the nation who are being
affected by this recession.
“This decline in Cooperative Program giving comes as the seminary enrollment is
returning to pre-Katrina levels. Last year, we were within 100 students of our
highest enrollment in the institution’s history. The interest in affordable,
accessible theological education remains high, and we will make the necessary
adjustments to continue serving those whom God has called. We remain
passionately committed to making theological education as accessible as
possible to everyone anywhere, so that we can train the next generation of
pastors, missionaries, and other ministers to fulfill the Great Commission and
impact our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Compiled by staff of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
and Baptist Press.)
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