As a cost-cutting measure, Glorieta Conference Center near Santa Fe, N.M., will operate only two facilities from October through mid-May—New Mexico Hall and Hall of State. That means a reduction of full-time staff by roughly one-half—from 44 to 21—by Oct. 1. Glorieta’s new operational model focuses on serving smaller off-season groups. The only planned exception to the smaller groups will be Fuge Winter Camps, which will continue to be offered four times during the winter months. Glorieta will offer its full facilities and level of service from mid-May through September. The 2,200-acre conference center is operated by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Glorieta seeks volunteers. Glorieta Conference Center is seeking volunteers to serve a minimum one-month term between April and October. Volunteers will work at least 30 hours a week in maintenance, conference support, grounds upkeep or food service. Glorieta provides a full-hookup RV site or efficiency apartment and meals, when available. For more information, call (505) 757-4298, write to P.O. Box 8, Glorieta, N.M. 87535 or visit www.glorieta.com.
NAMB sets spending limits. North American Mission Board President Geoff Hammond has asked the staff’s team leaders to operate at 90 percent of their approved budgets during 2009. However, Hammond said, funds committed to God’s Plan for Sharing, or GPS, the denominational evangelism emphasis, would not be affected. State cooperative budgets also will not be subject to the 90 percent spending level but will operate according to normal state funding practices. In addition to the 90 percent spending level, the mission board also will evaluate and monitor closely hiring for any staff vacancies, said Carlos Ferrer, NAMB’s chief financial officer.
Samford offers journalism scholarships. Samford University’s journalism and mass communication department will offer seven $2,000-a-year scholarships to incoming freshmen next fall. Scholarships can be renewed every year the student maintains a 3.5 grade point average. The scholarships will be awarded based on ACT scores, high school grades, participation in media-related clubs and volunteer work. For more information, call (205) 726-2948 or e-mail [email protected].
Southern Seminary cuts 35 positions. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in response to the national economic downturn, has reduced its administrative staff by 35 positions— 20 full-time and 15 part-time—effective Jan. 30. Each person will receive a severance package, including placement assistance, according to a news release from the seminary. No faculty members were included in the staffing reductions. The workforce reduction, combined with $1.7 million in budget cuts made in December, are designed to close a projected $3.2 shortfall in the seminary’s $30 million budget.
N.C. seminary professor dies. Dan Goodman, a 40-year-old professor at a North Carolina Baptist divinity school died unexpectedly Jan. 13. Goodman served as the Bob D. Shephard Chair of New Testament Interpretation at Gardner-Webb University’s M. Christopher White School of Divinity. The cause of death had not been determined.
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