wfn.org | WEISS HONORED BY ABC/USA BOARD

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

WEISS HONORED BY GENERAL BOARD 
OF AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES USA
 GREEN LAKE, WIS.-American Baptist Churches USA General 
Secretary Daniel E. Weiss, who will retire Aug. 31 from that 
position, was honored here last week by the 
denomination's General Board with a gala dinner and program 
today and a service of worship on Sunday celebrating his 
ministry.  
 Weiss, 62, has served as general secretary since 1988, 
and will complete his third four-year term in August.  As 
the highest-ranking executive of the 1.5-million-member 
American Baptist Churches USA, he oversees the work of 
staff, implements the policy decisions of the denomination's 
General Board, and coordinates the work of the four American 
Baptist national boards and 34 regional boards.  As chief 
executive officer he is responsible for taking executive and 
prophetic initiative to ensure an effective mission outreach 
for the denomination.
 Prior to his appointment as general secretary Weiss 
guided the work of the American Baptist Churches USA Board 
of Educational Ministries, one of four American Baptist 
national boards, as executive director from 1983-1988.  He 
previously served simultaneously as president of two 
American Baptist-related schools, Eastern College in St. 
Davids, Pa., and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 
Philadelphia, from 1973-1981.
 During the 1960s he held pastorates in Wisconsin, 
Michigan and Massachusetts.  In other academic and 
administrative responsibilities he has been a professor of 
ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; visiting 
professor at the Latin American Biblical Seminary in San 
Jose, Costa Rica; vice president of Gordon College; and 
executive vice president of Pace University.
 Weiss holds the B.A. and M.A. degrees from Wheaton 
College, the M.Div. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological 
Seminary and the Ph.D. degree from Michigan State 
University.  He also has been the recipient of a number of 
honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Sacred Theology 
degree presented to him recently by American Baptist-related 
Linfield College.
 During his tenure Weiss has emphasized a need for 
members and organizations within the denomination to 
understand, appreciate and live out the foundational 
understandings American Baptists long have espoused.  To 
that end he has lifted up the call to commitment to Jesus 
Christ and to evangelism and mission undertaken in His name; 
the affirmation of the local church as the fundamental unit 
of denominational mission; the need for unwavering support 
of religious and other freedoms; and the importance of 
understanding, respect and dialog within the diverse 
American Baptist family.  Among other priorities he has 
stressed evangelism, new church planting and congregational 
renewal in the U.S. as well as support for overseas mission.
 In announcing his retirement in January, Weiss, said, 
"This is a great denomination, a clear reflection of God's 
new humanity in Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for the 
opportunities given to me to be part of it.  I am so 
grateful to God and to American Baptists for the privilege 
of serving over these years."
6/28/00
WFN628B 

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