The mission organisation said it wanted to make the organisation more cost-effective, flexible and mission-focused.

It aims to minimise overheads and fixed costs so that more resources can be invested in the longer-term development of frontline mission work.

The freed up funds will go towards the organisation’s evangelism work, publishing, and holiday and mission events.

One-on-one work with children and young people will be managed and funded regionally in order to boost flexibility and responsiveness to local needs and opportunities.

Around 25 jobs are expected to go as a result of the shake-up, including head office positions, while the number of locally based associate roles is set to increase.

Scripture Union Chief Executive Keith Civval said: “Our calling to make God's good news known to children, young people and families hasn't changed.

“We've been carefully seeking God for the way forward and this move is about being faithful to our heritage in a new context.

“These are tough recessionary times and we can't do everything, so we are choosing to invest limited resources wisely.”

A staff consultation about the plans be concluded by the end of November. The new model will come into effect in January 2010.