March 19, 2001

Baptist Standard names Morgan
to new development director post
___Michael Morgan, a veteran Baptist administrator and fund-raiser, has been elected the Baptist Standard's first development director.
___Morgan, assistant dean of Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary since 1996, will help the Standard launch its fund-raising program beginning in mid-April.
___"We are blessed to strengthen the Baptist Standard's staff with a professional of Michael Morgan's breadth and depth," Editor Marv Knox said. "He is a deeply committed Christian, a faithful Baptist, a churchman of the first rank, a gifted administrator, a creative and experienced fund-raiser and an insightful team player.
___"Beyond that, he has demonstrated in word and deed his passion for building up the kingdom of God, strengthening the Baptist General Convention of Texas and expanding the ministry of the Baptist Standard."
___Nearly a year ago, the newspaper's board of directors and staff launched a study that led to the creation of a development program and search for a development director, Knox said.
___"The Baptist Standard is the only state Baptist paper that does not receive support from the Cooperative Program," Baptists' unified budget, he noted. "The Standard has a strong financial base and a modest endowment. This has enabled us to keep subscription rates low. It also has helped the Baptist General Convention of Texas, since the Standard has not become a budget burden for the BGCT."
___However, two factors led the Standard to start its development program, he added.
___"First, we--the board of directors and the staff--want to leave the Standard stronger than we found it when we were called to this place," he explained. "To do so, we realized we needed to strengthen our basic endowment, so that it can undergird the ministry and also withstand any contingencies the state and national economies may throw our way.
___"Also, we feel a strong sense of urgency about strengthening and expanding our ministry. If we are going to provide the kind of information, inspiration and encouragement Texas Baptists need, we will need to raise funds to enable us to take on these challenges."
___For example, the Standard would like to produce "niche" publications for various groups within Texas Baptist churches, add a full-time Hispanic reporter and utilize emerging media that will be crucial for communicating with coming generations, he said.
___"We believe the Lord has led us to Michael Morgan, who has both the skills and the commitment to help us achieve these goals," Knox said.
___Board Chairman Leroy Fenton concurred.
___"For almost a year, the board has been looking for someone to fill this new position," said Fenton, pastor of First Baptist Church in Waxahachie. "Dr. Morgan is an outstanding choice as a man skilled in God's work, knowledgeable of Texas Baptists, respected by his peers and experienced in development.
___"His expertise, warmth and enthusiasm will be outstanding assets. We feel he meets our specific needs and will fit in very well with our staff. We feel very fortunate to be able to welcome him to the work of the Baptist Standard."
___Morgan viewed his new position in the context of history.
___"Since 1892, Baptists have relied on the Standard to report news which supports our great mission enterprise," he said. "Across the years, the Standard has become not only a respected newspaper, but a venerable institution.
___"I look forward to working with the editor, staff and board to strengthen and expand the ministry of the Baptist Standard. Working together, we will position the Standard to best meet the challenges in an age of exploding information."
___Before joining Truett Seminary in Waco in 1996, Morgan was manager of the endowment department for the Southern Baptist Annuity Board in Dallas.
___Previously, he was associate director of church/minister relations for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He also has taught Bible and philosophy at Tarrant County Junior College in Fort Worth, and he was minister of music at First Baptist Church in Coldspring.
___He is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, Baylor University, Southwestern Seminary and the University of North Texas, where he earned a doctor's degree in higher education and educational foundations. He also has studied at Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy.
___Morgan and his wife, Terry, are members of First Baptist Church in Waco, where he is a deacon and Sunday School teacher and has helped the church with worship and ministry to young adults.

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