February 17, 1999
Schmeltekopf retiring
after 19 years with BGCT
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___For nearly two decades, Ed Schmeltekopf has worked as a staff liaison with virtually every major study committee appointed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___Schmeltekopf, who turns 67 in November, plans to retire on Dec. 31 as BGCT associate executive director after 19 yearsand nine months of denominational service and a quarter-century of pastoral ministry.
ED SCHMELTEKOPF
___He came to the BGCT in 1980 to work as associate to Executive Director James Landes. He continued in that role under Executive Director Bill Pinson's leadership for more than 16 years.
___"I consider myself among the most fortunate pastors and denominational workers in our state because of the privilege I had of serving with Dr. Landes and Dr. Pinson," he said.
___"The family of coworkers at the Baptist Building has been a blessing to me, as well. They have been supportive through difficult times in the life of my family, and I count it a privilege to have worked with so many people who are deeply committed to Baptist causes and the cause of Christ."
___Schmeltekopf points to several highlights of his BGCT career: working with Texas Baptists from around the state who served on committees; participating in key long-range planning studies; and being involved in volunteer missions partnerships internationally.
___Schmeltekopf has provided orientation and information to the convention's nominating committees, as well as working as liaison between the BGCT Executive Board staff and groups such as the Cooperative Program Study Committee in the early 1990s and, more recently, the Effectiveness/ Efficiency Committee.
___He also worked closely with long-range planning committees, such as the group that developed the Mission Texas strategy in the mid-1980s and the 74-member Strategy Council that drafted the priorities and vision for the current Texas 2000 emphasis.
___As part of his ongoing responsibilities, Schmeltekopf has supervised the offices of human resources, Mission Service Corps, Cooperative Program services and partnership missions, recently renamed Texas Partnerships.
___"Negotiating missions partnerships with Baptist leaders overseas was a thrilling thing, but even more exciting was having the opportunity to participate in ministry and evangelistic opportunities through Texas Partnerships," Schmeltekopf said. He took part in two mission trips to Australia, two to Germany and two with the European Baptist Convention.
___Though his ability to travel has been limited somewhat by the onset of Parkinson's syndrome, Schmeltekopf is looking forward to serving close to home in retirement as a volunteer chaplain in Fort Worth.
___Schmeltekopf was pastor of First Baptist Church in Burleson 19 years before joining the Baptist Building staff. He served previously at churches in Graham and LaVernia. He was elected BGCT first vice president in 1977.
___He and his wife, Lilla, live in Fort Worth, where they attend Broadway Baptist Church. They have two adult children: Jeffrey, a financial planner in Fort Worth, and Cynthia Krause, an attorney and gift planning consultant in Dallas.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!