Monday, August 02, 2010

Focus on the Family Layoff Update

I looked at rumors over the weekend and now it's official - Daddy Dobson's sinister, theocracy supporting Focus on the Family is eliminating another 110 jobs at its headquarters in Colorado Springs. It's bad news for those now facing unemployment (including an "ex-gay for pay" if Jeremy Hooper is correct), but good news for those who value religious freedom for all citizens and who believe in the separation of church and state. These layoffs will bring FOTF's staff down to 750, down from a peak of 1400. Here are highlights from FOTF's own website:
*
Focus on the Family announced a $27 million reduction in its budget today, a move the global Christian ministry said was necessitated by twin economic challenges.
*
The adjustment resulted in the elimination of 110 jobs, most from the organization’s internal service and volume-driven ministry areas. The decisions were made in light of Focus’ core mission and competencies, meaning there were only minimal reductions in such key efforts as the daily radio broadcast, Web site content and resources for couples and parents.
*
Schneeberger cited a pair of circumstances as leading to the budget reduction: the ongoing worldwide economic downturn, which has meant "many of our donors just can't be as generous as they have in the past because of financial challenges in their own households"; and the February departure, nearly eight years in the making, of the ministry’s founder, Dr. James Dobson.
*
"Business analysts say it’s not unusual to see organizations transitioning from a founder’s leadership lose 50 percent or more of their support,” he noted. "
*
Personally, I see a smaller and weaker FOTF as a positive good. Would that similar problems would afflict all of the hate and fear disseminating professional Christian organizations.

No comments: