wfn.org | ABCUSA: Chandler to Leave Office of Communication Position

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 9/26/05)--David
Chandler, associate director of the Office of Communication of American
Baptist Churches USA since 1996, will leave that position Oct. 31.

In commending Chandler for his significant contributions to the ministry
of denominational communication, General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy
Medley announced today that a major reorganization within the Office of
the General Secretary focused on mission development had necessitated
the departure of Chandler, Office of Communication Director/Deputy
General Secretary Richard Schramm and Media Assistant Christopher
Kearns.  All will leave their positions Oct. 31.

"The restructuring comes as the result of the recommendations of the
consulting firm McConkey-Johnston, which has produced a new ministry
configuration to be called Mission and Resource Development," Medley
said.  "In the new configuration, World Mission Support and
Communications are being combined into one unit for maximum synergy and
reinforcement of each other's efforts.	This has resulted in a change of
positions to maximize the use of electronic media/web as our primary
communications tool."

Chandler has had primary responsibility for denomination-wide electronic
media development, most notably the content and design of the
denomination's Web site-www.abc-usa.org.   He also has supervised the
production of several editions of the ABCUSA multimedia magazine on
CD-ROM; written and produced numerous other electronically-based
identity materials; provided direction and counsel for national staff
media development and projects; and overseen Powerpoint production and
other media resources for the Office of the General Secretary.	He
provided substantial Internet and production support for the Seek It!
denominational appreciative inquiry process and resulting summit
gathering.

Chandler has had major leadership responsibilities within the
denomination's Communication Council, for which group he drafted a
detailed proposal (that was approved, funded and implemented) for the
development of an unprecedented campaign lifting up American Baptist
Churches USA identity.	He also has been involved in ecumenical
communication planning and dialog, notably with the National Council of
Churches and its Worldwide Faith News Web site.  He has worked
frequently with the Baptist World Alliance, and provided technical
direction and assistance for the BWA's 2000 Congress in Australia.

Prior to his appointment to ABCUSA work in 1996 Chandler served as an
independent media consultant/producer and director of media services for
Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa.  He holds a B.S.W. degree in social
work from Eastern.

He is an active member of Central Baptist Church in Wayne, Pa.

"David has provided inspired expertise, wisdom and leadership as we have
transitioned to an electronic foundation for denominational
communication," said Schramm.  "There is so much to commend in David's
work, as well as in his collegial support and accessibility.  He has
made an immeasurable contribution to the task of how we best tell the
American Baptist story, and what he has done over the past decade will
give solid direction for how that story is told from now on."

Medley praised Chandler's "skill, commitment to excellence, and ability
to work with impromptu requests, which has enabled us to develop key
video and other communication pieces for our churches at important
moments.  His work to capture the Seek It! conference on tape and then
to edit several days worth of meetings into a brief but powerful
presentation for our churches and the reformatting of our Web site are
but two recent examples of his ability in media.  As an active American
Baptist layperson, David's commitment to our mission and ministry has
always been in the forefront of his ministry with us.  We wish him all
God's best."

K/2005ABNS/05ABN106

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