Central Florida churches hit hard by tough economic times

The nation’s economic fallout has hit both the sacred and secular worlds of Central Florida. Many local churches now are struggling with the same money issues that confront businesses: budget crises, salary reductions and staff layoffs.

“We’re facing what our members are facing in their companies and at work,” said the Rev. David Loveless, pastor of Discovery Church in Orlando. Its four campuses serve about 4,000 members.

“We’ve probably cut $700,000 out of the budget this year,” Loveless said.

Although his church has not missed any loan payments, it had to lay off about a dozen of its 75 paid staffers and recently instituted across-the-board pay cuts of 10 percent.

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Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Economics, Politics, * Religion News & Commentary, Economy, Other Churches, Parish Ministry, The Credit Freeze Crisis of Fall 2008/The Recession of 2007--