Continued financial deliberations announced

This week, MLC President Mark Zarling reported to both faculty and staff, "In the next biennium, MLC´s synodical subsidy will decrease from $4.48M in 2008-9 to $3.8M in 2009-10 and $3.75M in 2010-11. Currently, 10 faculty and staff positions at MLC that had been authorized or are presently vacant have not been filled. It appears that 10-15 additional positions will need to be eliminated to meet our lowered budget. Various ideas are being considered, such as semi-retired positions, temporary sabbaticals, hourly staff working fewer hours/week, etc. Like all areas of ministry, MLC seeks to demonstrate careful and prayerful stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. We ask that all of God´s people pray for God´s guidance for every aspect of our synod´s work. We ask that you also join us in seeking God´s blessing upon MLC so that we can continue to provide world-class training for ministry in the WELS at the highest level of fiscal responsibility. May we glorify our Savior God through our careful planning and stewardship."