ATLANTA—The search committee seeking a successor to Suzii Paynter as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s leader released a profile for the executive coordinator position.
The committee released the position profile five weeks after Paynter announced her plans to retire from the post. Paynter will remain as CBF executive coordinator during a transitional period until her successor begins work.
CBF “is seeking a new leader who is grounded in biblical faith with a commitment to the mission of Jesus and who has the ability to take the unchanging gospel to a rapidly changing world,” the position description states.
“We seek an individual who can capitalize on current strengths while pursuing innovation and growth. Our next leader will build on the past 27 years of organizational success while having the freedom to shape the organization for future service and mission success.”
Profile lists requirements and desired traits
The committee is seeking an individual with an earned advanced degree from an accredited educational institution and 10 years or more successful senior leadership experience at a complex organization. The individual must be willing to travel and to relocate to Decatur, Ga., where the CBF offices are located.
The executive coordinator should be “a committed Christian with a global vision,” demonstrate “commitment to Baptist distinctives and principles,” be “theologically competent and mature,” and possess “the presence to be a global leader,” according to the position profile.
The next CBF leader should be “resilient, adaptable and contextual,” as well as “genuine, authentic, sincere and transparent” and “convictional and kind, respectful and gracious toward others,” the position profile states.
Other attributes desired include a history of engagement with CBF, as well as familiarity and experience with local church work.
The committee is seeking an “accomplished communicator,” a “relationship builder” and a “strong fund-raiser.” The executive coordinator should possess the ability to manage diverse partnerships, listen well to diverse constituents and partners, and engage diverse cultures and generations effectively.
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The executive coordinator should possess organizational and fiscal competency, willingness to provide spiritual leadership to staff and church leaders, and technological competency, including the ability to understand and use current and emerging communication tools such as social media, as well as traditional media.
Individuals interested in applying for the position should submit a cover letter summarizing qualifications, a resume and contact information for three references. Applications materials should be sent by email to [email protected]. The committee will give priority to materials submitted by Sept. 15.
Two Texans on search committee
Jeff Roberts, senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C., chairs the executive coordinator search committee.
Texans on the search committee are Jackie Baugh Moore, a member of Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio, and Steve Wells, pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Houston.
Other committee members are Courtney Allen of Richmond, Va.; Shauw Chin Capps of Beaufort, S.C.; Juan Garcia of Newport News, Va.; Jennifer Hawks of McLean, Va.; Emmanuel McCall of East Point, Ga.; and Chris Sanders of Louisville, Ky.
Stephen Cook, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., and recorder of the CBF Governing Board, and CBF Moderator Gary Dollar from Dayspring Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo., are serving as ex officio committee members.
In March 2013, Paynter became the third Texan—after Cecil Sherman and Daniel Vestal—and the first woman to serve as CBF executive coordinator.
Paynter, a San Antonio native, worked with the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission from 2001 to 2013—first as director of public policy and later as commission director and leader of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Advocacy Care Center.
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