The megachurch founded by evangelist Ted Haggard has laid off 44 people amid falling income and attendance.

Associate pastor Rob Brendle says the cuts amount to about 12 percent of the church's work force.

The 14-thousand member church has been growing for 22 years.

That changed after Haggard was fired in November after a Denver man alleged Haggard used methamphetamine and paid him for sex.

Haggard has acknowledged "sexual immorality."

Brendle says a drop in income and attendance forced layoffs including pastoral staff, support staff and nursery workers.

Interim senior pastor Ross Parsley says some positions will be consolidated, and volunteers could replace some paid staff.