wfn.org | ABCUSA: Norris to Retire As Cleveland Baptist Association

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

Executive

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 6/16/05)--The Rev. Dr.
Dennis E. Norris, executive minister of the Cleveland Baptist
Association, will retire July 1 after 15 years of leadership in that
region.

Norris served as associate executive minister from 1987 to 1990 before
becoming executive minister.  He previously was pastor of the Congdon
Street Baptist Church in Providence, R.I. (1966-73) and Second Baptist
Church in Moorestown, N.J. (1973-87).

Under his leadership sister church pairings between Euro American and
African American congregations have helped deepen relationships within
the region. He has overseen the establishment of the Youth Empowerment
Project, a nationally-recognized intervention and mentoring program for
youth at risk; the re-establishment of an American Baptist chaplaincy
ministry at Thistledown Racetrack; and the initiation of a sister region
relationship between CBA and the Union of Baptist Churches in Burundi,
to which country he led a mission work trip last fall.

Norris has been active in many areas of denominational and ecumenical
life. He has served as a member of the Regional Executive Ministers
Council, the General Executive Council, American Baptist Foundation
Board (including chair of the Multi-Region Corporation), the American
Baptist Historical Society Board, the Colgate Rochester Divinity School
Board, the Eastern Commission on the Ministry, the National Council of
Churches Nominating Committee, the Interchurch Council of Greater
Cleveland Board, the Judson Retirement Community Board, and the ABCUSA
Staff Leadership Council.

In announcing his retirement, Norris said, "It is utterly impossible for
someone in a position of responsibility, such as the one I have been
privileged to hold, to claim any amount of success without the faithful
service and assistance of pastors and people from so many of our
churches...who have contributed so much of their time, talent and
treasure in our combined efforts to keep this 173-year-old historic
institution alive and well."

"Dennis Norris has been a wonderful blessing to the American Baptist
family on all levels of our life together," said the Rev. Dr. A. Roy
Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. "His deep
love for the Lord, and for the people he ministers with, has enabled so
many dynamic opportunities for witness and service in the name of
Christ.  As a trusted and beloved colleague he has provided wise and
compassionate counsel to me and many others within our denominational
family.  I pray that Dennis and Joan will receive God's richest
blessings as they enter retirement."

The Rev. James T. Oldham, CBA's minister of missions, education and
metropolitan ministries, will serve as interim executive minister
effective July 1.

The Cleveland Baptist Association, one of 35 regions within American
Baptist Churches USA, includes 35 churches and approximately 19,350
members.

K/2005ABNS/05ABN56

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org