The mission board of the 8.3 million-member United Methodist Church has frozen recruiting of new missionaries and notified 19 foreign workers their contracts won't be renewed.
The cost-cutting moves result from ongoing budget problems. The denomination's news service said the agency had eliminated 94 staff slots since December 2001 and that last year's budget of $27.2 million will decrease by $7.5 million this year.
An over-all report on the denomination's national funds said receipts last year were $113 million, a 1.4 percent drop from 2001.
Denominational treasurer Sandra Lackore said proceeds were hurt by unemployment, drought and declines in investment income at a time when church agencies face escalating health insurance costs.