The Church Mission Society, the UK’s largest Anglican-based international mission agency, is facing staff cuts of up to 14 posts (out of a total of 77.5 posts) in the next six months.

Outside forces – the recession and a sizeable pensions deficit – have hit CMS hard. The Society’s trustees believe there is no alternative but to make these painful staff reductions. Other overhead costs are also being significantly reduced.

“The recession is biting and we have to take action so that our core mission is safeguarded for the future,” said Canon Tim Dakin, executive director of CMS.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we have had to open up conversations with staff whose posts will be affected.”

Up to eight further staff posts are likely to be cut in phases over the next two years.

One positive development of recent years has been making CMS’s flagship People in Mission programme largely self-sustaining. This means that the vast majority of the Society’s mission partners will be able to continue their work.

A further reason for optimism in difficult times was the recent integration with the South American Mission Society, said Canon Dakin. It offered new opportunities in mission – both to and from Latin America – as well as bringing a fresh Latin American perspective.

He hoped that, while painful, the current cuts would lead to CMS having a sustainable future, enabling it to better fulfil its calling of getting more people into mission.

ENDS

For further information please contact
Adrian White, Director of Finance and Corporate Services
CMS, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ
Tel: 01865 787461
Email: adrian.white@cms-uk.org

Published: 2:57 PM :: Monday, February 22, 2010 :: 778 views :: 0 Comments :: Press releases