MISSISSAUGA, ON-A downturn in giving and changes to the way the denomination handles its business have prompted the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) to slash jobs and restructure staffing at its national headquarters.

Thirteen of about 60 individuals working in the national offices will see their jobs changed or ended. "We are dealing with budget issues and restructuring our institution to meet new realities," says David Hazzard, assistant superintendent for ministerial services. "The entire building is affected."

Some employees are moving to contract arrangements, he explains. "A significant number are going to remain with us in some capacity."

Four "coordinator level" positions, including the editor of the denomination’s testimony magazine and archives director, were among the more senior employees affected. According to Hazzard, "those two are not on contract at this point," but that "there is still some fluidity in the situation right now." The testimony will continue to be published, he says.

"A reason beyond finances is philosophical," he adds. "We work with our districts, and some of the activities that historically have been directed out of the national office are now embraced in the districts." Hazzard points to the PAOC’s men’s ministries, noting that the current coordinator "will remain on contract to facilitate men’s ministries across the nation, but not as a full time position."

In a press release, the PAOC also said the staffing changes were in line with "further stages in the strategic redevelopment of the Missions in Canada division which was initiated a few years ago with more of the ministries being directed by the individual districts."

The changes are expected to save the PAOC about $410,000 in its 2004 fiscal year.

"We deeply regret having to go through the transition, and are trusting for financial turnaround in the not too distant future. We see this as a temporary fiscal reality we are attempting to manage responsibly," says Hazzard.