September 1, 1999

GRACE & PEACE:
Pray for the process of the
executive director election
___"Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." (1 Corinthians 14:40)
___In January, I shared with the Administrative Committee of the Executive Board, the members of the Executive Board, as well as Texas Baptists in general that I believed it was God's will for me to retire as executive director of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas as of Feb. 1, 2000. At that time, I would be in my 66th year, having served the longest tenure in this position in the history of our convention. My

WILLIAM M. PINSON JR. Executive Director BGCT Executive Board

announcement of this intent set in motion a process that is now moving to completion.
___The constitution of the convention and the bylaws of the Executive Board set forth a process for the selection of an executive director that involves establishment of a search committee to prayerfully seek a person to nominate to the Executive Board for election. The process provides for search committee members to come from a number of BGCT entities.
___The search committee has functioned under the chairmanship of Bill Brian, an attorney from Amarillo. He and the members have devoted much time and prayer to the process.
___In an effort to seek input from Texas Baptists, members of the committee have met with a number of Texas Baptist entities over the past several months, listening to their suggestions. In addition, the committee through the Baptist Standard and in other ways solicited input from all Texas Baptists.
___Prayer support has been sought by the committee and provided by Baptists throughout our state. The prayer team of the Baptist General Convention of Texas prepared and distributed a guide for people to pray for each member of the committee by name.
___The search committee interviewed people they felt to be potential nominees for the office and will present their nomination for executive director to the Executive Board for its consideration.
___Because of the seriousness of this decision and because the bylaws of the Executive Board provide for calling a special meeting of the board, a called meeting has been set for Sept. 14. Board members attend meetings at their own expense, and thus a special meeting such as this involves an additional investment of time and money on the part of board members, which these dedicated men and women are willing to do.
___All Texas Baptists can participate in this process by praying for the members of the board as they vote to elect the next executive director. They also can pray for the nominee and his family as they seek to find and follow God's will. Once elected, Texas Baptists can and should pray for the person as he proceeds through a period of orientation as executive director-elect and then assumes the responsibilities of executive director Feb. 1.
___The coming of a new millennium, new century, new decade and new executive director ushers in an exciting future for Texas Baptists as we develop what I believe will be our finest years--to the glory of God.
___Please pray for the members of the search committee as they make their presentation to the Executive Board. Pray for the Executive Board members as they elect the next executive director. And pray for the person nominated and elected that a certainty of God's direction will be felt.

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