James Dobson changes roles_60203

Posted: 5/30/03

James Dobson changes roles

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (RNS)--James Dobson, longtime president of Focus on the Family, will expand his role as chairman of the conservative Christian group but pass on the presidency to a successor.

Don Hodel, former president of the Christian Coalition and a Cabinet member in the Reagan administration, began serving as president and CEO May 15.

"This redefined responsibility will assure Dr. Dobson's continued leadership of the organization but without the burden of day-to-day management," the ministry announced. "It will allow him to spend more time on ministry objectives that only he can accomplish."

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Posted: 5/30/03

James Dobson changes roles

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (RNS)–James Dobson, longtime president of Focus on the Family, will expand his role as chairman of the conservative Christian group but pass on the presidency to a successor.

Don Hodel, former president of the Christian Coalition and a Cabinet member in the Reagan administration, began serving as president and CEO May 15.

“This redefined responsibility will assure Dr. Dobson's continued leadership of the organization but without the burden of day-to-day management,” the ministry announced. “It will allow him to spend more time on ministry objectives that only he can accomplish.”

Dobson, who founded the ministry in 1977, will continue his role as host of the ministry's radio program, also called “Focus on the Family.”

Hodel was the Christian Coalition's president from 1997 to 1999 and was energy secretary and interior secretary during Reagan's presidency. He has served on Focus on the Family's board of directors since 1995.

In another transition in the organization, John Paulk, an outspoken member of the “ex-gay” movement, left the organization May 6. Since 1998, he has managed the ministry's homosexuality and gender department and spoken from personal experience to say homosexuality is a lifestyle that can be left behind.

Paulk is moving with his wife and children to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to extended family.

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