February 3, 1999

Pinson to retire in January 2000
___By Marv Knox
___Editor
___William M. Pinson Jr., executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas since 1983, has announced his retirement effective Jan. 31, 2000.
___At his retirement, he will have been the state convention's leader for 17 years, the longest such tenure in BGCT history. He will celebrate his 65th birthday in August.
___Pinson announced his plans Jan. 28, during a meeting of the BGCT Administrative

WILLIAM M. PINSON JR.

Committee.
___"For over a year, I have been feeling this sense of God's direction to retire early in 2000," he said. "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."
___"I believe God has given me clear affirmation for the timing of my retirement as executive director," he added, listing seven reasons for the timing of his retirement:
___ "The BGCT and the related ministries of the Executive Board are in good condition," Pinson noted. "Last year was arguably the best year in the history of the convention, with records set in area after area."
___The convention's institutions "have never been healthier," and the Executive Board's financial condition "has never been stronger," he said. He also pointed to strong progress on Texas 2000, the convention's ministry/evangelism/church-starting campaign, and implementation of the BGCT's Effectiveness/Efficiency Committee report.
___ As the Texas 2000 campaign closes, a new executive director ought to be chosen to develop as well as carry out Texas Baptists' next comprehensive strategy.
___ The next executive director ought to have the opportunity to be involved in selecting replacements for numerous key Executive Board staff who will retire in the next two to three years, he said. "The timing of my retirement provides both the stability of an experienced staff for a reasonable length of time and the opportunity to fashion a staff team for the future."
___ "A change in executive leadership provides an optimum time for evaluation and possible changes" in the organization and structure of the Executive Board staff, he added. "No major evaluation of overall organizational structure has taken place for several decades," he reported. "Since the executive director will lead in implementation and therefore needs to feel satisfied with the structure, I believe that the new executive director ought to be Ö part of any evaluation and restructuring."
___ "Excellent leadership is in place throughout the Baptist General Convention of Texas in boards, commissions, councils and committees related to the convention, thus providing stability in a time of transition of executive leadership," he said.
___ Major projects to be implemented during the next three years "have financial support, personnel and structure in place," he said. "These ought to be able to continue in a positive way."
___ "The number of dedicated persons qualified to be executive director encourages me about the future," he concluded. "From among these God will provide an executive director for the 21st century in Texas Baptist life."
___Pinson's tenure with the BGCT has been marked by two comprehensive strategies--Texas 2000 and its predecessor, Mission Texas--that steered the state convention to growth in baptisms, churches, evangelism, missions, Christian education and benevolence ministry.
___The 1980s were the BGCT's strongest decade for baptisms, and those figures could be eclipsed in the 1990s. During Pinson's years, Texas Baptists set records in church membership, number of churches and missions, Sunday school enrollment and attendance, financial contributions, university enrollment, medical patients, recipients of benevolence and students involved in Baptist Student Ministries on campuses statewide.
___BGCT leaders expressed sadness at Pinson's decision to retire, yet they also voiced appreciation for his leadership and optimism about the future.
___Pinson first announced his plans to BGCT President Russell Dilday, professor at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary in Waco; Clyde Glazener, chairman of the Executive Board and pastor of Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth; and Mateo Rendon, chairman of the Administrative Committee and pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Corpus Christi.
___"We were surprised, and our first response was to try to change his mind, especially in light of the urgency of these next few years," Dilday said. "But he was resolute. One thing I've learned about Dr. Pinson is that he makes decisions carefully, prayerfully and with a clear discernment of God's direction. So, we respect his timing."
___"He has served longer than any other executive director in the history of the BGCT, and this long term has been characterized by remarkable achievements," Dilday added. "Because he has given us a full year to make the transition, with his continued leadership we will maintain the full momentum of our work together.
___"I'm convinced the same Lord who led Bill Pinson to this crucial task will lead us to the one he want to fill this position, and the BGCT will move into the third millennium stronger than ever."
___"Bill Pinson is a remarkable model of servant leadership," Glazener noted. "In very tense circumstances, he consistently maintains his respect for the dignity of all individuals and his commitment to do what he believes to be the will of God.
___"And God has used him to lead Texas Baptists to the greatest years to this point in Texas Baptist history."
___Rendon said Pinson's announcement came on a "sad/happy day in Texas Baptist life."
___"It is sad in that we are losing a tremendous man of God who has been instrumental in the direction of the BGCT," Rendon explained. "Indeed, Dr. Pinson has been sensitive to God's purpose for the BGCT.
___"Yet it is happy because we know he has sought and followed God's direction for his life. Knowing he will continue to seek God's direction allows me to feel good and happy about this decision.
___"I would encourage everyone in Texas Baptist life to pray for the progress of God's cause in Texas."
___BGCT policy calls for an executive director search committee to be comprised of "five members of the Executive Board appointed by the chairperson and vice chairperson of the Executive Board, five members of the convention at-large appointed by the president and vice presidents of the convention and one member of each commission and coordinating board appointed by the respective chairpersons."
___Pinson expressed hope his successor could be elected in time to provide six months for the new executive director to overlap with him before retirement. If that schedule holds, the executive director-elect would begin work Aug. 1.
___Prior to becoming BGCT executive director, Pinson was president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif. Previously, he was pastor of First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls and ethics professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.
___Pinson and his wife, Bobbie, have two married daughters, Meredith Pinson-Creasey and Allison Ruth Hopgood, both of the Dallas area, and three grandsons.

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