LifeWay Christian Resources
has laid off approximately two dozen employees in what spokesman Micah Carter
said is a part of the “normal budgeting cycle.”
Carter would not confirm or
deny the number of what he called “staff deletions,” but other sources pin the
number at 24-26.
LifeWay, which produces much
of the literature used by most Southern Baptist churches, employs about 4,750
people, Carter said.
He said the “deletions” were
not economy driven, but came about as part of the annual review of LifeWay
goals and actions for the next budget cycle. He said staff changes resulted
from “leadership changes” and “resource stewardship” and said “additions” were
made as well.
“Difficult decisions have to
be made,” for LifeWay to have “the right mix of people” on board, he said.
Carter urged churches to
understand that LifeWay “ministry is being honed and sharpened in the process.”
Through seven months of the
budget cycle, Carter said the LifeWay budget is in “really good financial
shape.”
“LifeWay is strong and
healthy,” said Carter, associate to the vice president for executive relations.
“That’s not to say we don’t have our challenges,” but the personnel changes
were not economy driven.