wfn.org | ABCUSA: Martha Barr,

["BROWN, Matthew" <Matthew.Brown@abc-usa.org>]

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-The Rev. Dr. Martha M. Barr, longtime leader in
various ministries of American Baptist Churches USA, died Jan. 20
following a long illness. She was 66.

Barr served as assistant general secretary of ABCUSA from 1975 to 1983.
In that role she was staff coordinator of 1977 ABCUSA Biennial Meeting
in San Diego and had significant responsibilities in the writing of the
final report of the Study Commission on Relationships and the Covenant
of Relationships. She also worked on implementing bylaws for
denominational reorganization, and served as chief Affirmative Action
officer and member of the Task Force on Women.

During that time she was deputy for National Operations (1977-1981), and
staff to the General Board, its Executive Committee and the National
Executive Council. In addition she functioned as liaison between the
Office of the General Secretary and the national program boards.

Barr was ecumenical officer for ABCUSA from 1982 to 1983, in which
capacity she represented the denomination in organizations and
gatherings of the National Council of Churches of Christ, Baptist World
Alliance and World Council of Churches, among other groups.

As executive director of American Baptist Women (now American Baptist
Women's Ministries) from 1984 to 1988, she supervised the programs,
projects and funding of that organization, promoted the empowerment of
women within ABCUSA, and represented ABW within denominational and
ecumenical bodies.

Prior to her national work with the denomination, Barr had served in
ministries of education in several congregational and collegiate
settings. She was a staff consultant for ABCUSA National Ministries'
Division of Parish Development and Missions from 1972 to 1974.

The Rev. Dr. Robert C. Campbell, general secretary of American Baptist
Churches USA from 1972 to 1987, praised Barr as "a pioneer leader as a
woman in ministry, a model of effective leadership when women's gifts
for ministry and leadership were not widely recognized."

A memorial service for Martha Barr will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan.
28 at Central Baptist Church, 106 West Lancaster Ave., Wayne, PA 19087.
Memorial gifts in her name may be made to the church.

Condolences for her husband, William, and family may be sent to them at
15 Aberdeen Terrace, St. Davids, PA 19087.

Matthew Brown
Webmaster
Office of the General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA
610-768-2159 Phone
610.768.2309 Fax
www.abcusamissions.org