Ministries cut staff in tough economy

   TIGARD — A sharp drop in donations coupled with the current tough economy made Medical Teams International the latest Christian organization locally to lay off staff members.
   The staff reductions at the Tigard-based relief organization followed December layoffs equivalent to 9.2 full-time positions at Warner Pacific College in Portland, and earlier layoffs at the Portland-based Luis Palau Association.
   As reported by The Oregonian, Medical Teams laid off nine people — 10 percent of its staff — from program administration, communications and distribution departments. Eight of the nine people worked out of the Tigard headquartedrs, while one was in Seattle.
   Marlene Minor, spokeswoman for Medical Teams, told the newspaper that cash donations dropped sharply in the last months of 2008, bringing the year-over-year total down by 15 percent. Cash donations totaled $10.9 million in the agency’s 2008 fiscal year, which ended last June 30.
   The Contact, the regional newspaper for the Churches of God (Anderson, Ind.) of Oregon and southwest Washington, reported that the reductions at Warner Pacific impacted 13 employees, whose positions were either eliminated or reduced in hours. Warner Pacific is affiliated with the Churches of God.