Lotz to retire at BWA general secretary

March 8, 2006

Posted: 3/08/06

Lotz to retire as BWA general secretary

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Denton Lotz announced Wednesday, March 8, his intention to retire as general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance.

He made the announcement during the BWA Executive Committee Meeting. Lotz, 67, said the process for selecting a new general secretary will begin, and he will set a date for his departure at a later time.

The BWA Personnel Committee will serve as the search committee. All six continental groups of Baptists are represented on the committee.

Lotz said he and his wife, Janice, had turned to Scripture, prayer and the council of wise friends in making the decision. He made the decision in complete freedom, with no pressure for him to retire, Lotz said.

BWA President David Coffey said the announcement causes a "heaviness of heart," but it "takes a really good leader" to know when it's time to make such a change. Coffey said it is a "great time to be a Baptist Christian" because the world body has attained a new level of maturity; and, as a result, this is a good time to begin the process of choosing a new general secretary.


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