VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)-After eighteen years as General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), Denton Lotz gave notice of his retirement at the BWA's Executive Committee meeting on March 8th in Falls Church, VA. He will not be leaving his position immediately but will continue to serve while the BWA Personnel Committee, chaired by former Executive Director for International Ministries, John Sundquist, identifies a successor. During his tenure with the BWA, Lotz was the face and voice of Baptists around the world representing 213 Baptist conventions and unions which include more than thirty seven million members. Acknowledged as a first-rate diplomat, he was able to effectively balance the interests of these Baptist bodies even when they, at times, ran contrary to each other on theological, social, and cultural issues. Lotz is leaving the Assembly in good condition with a sound financial picture and 20 more Baptist bodies currently seeking membership. Prior to his position as General Secretary, Lotz was Director of Evangelism and Education with the BWA from 1980 to 1988. He also served with his wife, Janice, as missionaries to Eastern and Central Europe through the Board of International Ministries (IM), ABC-USA from May 1969 to September 1980. For 11 years of his service with IM, Lotz taught at the Baptist Theological Seminary, Rüschlikon, Switzerland as the Associate Professor of Missions and Homiletics. At a time when theological education was virtually nonexistent for Eastern European pastors and leaders, Lotz founded the Summer Institute of Theological Education (SITE), a short term, intensive theological program that met that need and helped lay the foundation for the post-Soviet theological revival in that part of the world. Commenting on his decison to retire, Lotz said, "Having prayed, studied scriptures and consulted with friends, more than ever Janice and I feel that this is the right time to pass on the mantle of leadership to that man or woman whom God has chosen to lead us into the future." He concluded, "We do not know what future ministry awaits us, but for sure we will continue to use every opportunity to preach the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ."
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/