February 10, 1999

GRACE & PEACE:
God sets a time for
everything, including retirement
___"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
___As reported in last week's Baptist Standard, I have sent the following to the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas:
___"God has graced me with blessings both various and numerous. Among these is serving as executive director of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention. ...
___"August of this year, the Lord willing, I will celebrate my 65th birthday. Although 65 is no longer a required age for retirement, it has

WILLIAM M. PINSON JR. Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

always been in my mind the age at which I would retire from my present position. However, believing that age is not an arbitrary factor in retirement and that God's will is the essential matter to consider, for a number of months I have sought his direction. I believe that God has given me clear affirmation for the timing of my retirement as executive director. A key passage from God's word for me has always been: 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths' (Proverbs 3:5-6).
___"Therefore, I am notifying the Executive Board of my intent to retire as executive director effective Jan. 31, 2000. ...
___"Throughout my life, God has blessed me with a sense of his direction, both releasing me from a place of service and directing me to another. Normally, the release has come even before I knew the next step of the journey. Such was the case when I left Southwestern Seminary as professor, the First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls as pastor, and Golden Gate Seminary as president. In each instance, I relished the ministry there, and yet God provided a sense of 'it is time to go.' Such is the situation currently: While rejoicing in this place of service--a ministry in which I have been allowed to serve longer than any other person in history--God has indicated to me that it is 'time to go.' For over a year, I have been feeling this sense of God's direction to retire early in 2000, but to have made this announcement earlier would have created a period of uncertainty about executive director leadership longer than necessary in Texas Baptist life.
___"Because of many positive factors in my current place of service, I must confess that I have sought from the Lord some sense of 'Why retire?' The Baptist General Convention of Texas is in excellent condition. God continues to pour out his blessings on the convention. Following my last physical, the doctor declared my health good. I deeply appreciate and enjoy serving with the wonderful staff of the Executive Board and the other dedicated persons with whom I relate as executive director. I'm grateful for the affirmation of persons when they have indicated that they hoped I would remain as executive director beyond age 65, some mentioning that Dr. Landes, my predecessor, did. However, I believe that I must follow what I am convinced is God's will for me and believing also that that is best for the Baptist General Convention of Texas."
___Next week, I will share more of the letter to the board and will outline the process for selection of the executive director so that you may be much in prayer in specific ways.

---

Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!