Incoming board chair Gerald
Hodges named a five-member committee that will be responsible for finding a new
editor during the Biblical Recorder’s report to messengers Nov. 9.
Hodges, pastor of Westwood
Baptist Church in Roxboro, quoting from the book Rescuing Ambition by Dave
Harvey, said the ambition that pleases God is focused on God, and is confident
that “even in falling short of His goals we still stand in His redeeming
grace.”
“As an agency we have as our
aim and ambition that this publication will glorify God, build up the churches
and edify our king,” Hodges said.
BSC photo by K Brown Gerald Hodges, incoming chairman of the Biblical Recorder’s board of trustees shares the names of the search committee for the new editor. Hodges is pastor of Westwood Baptist Church in Roxboro. |
Although the Biblical
Recorder has been a part of North Carolina Baptist life for 177 years Hodges
admitted he has been among those who at one time thought it irrelevant. It was
“too far down the pile on my desk, too moderate, too dated in format,” he said.
“I was wrong,” he said. “The
Recorder is an important source of information” and he wants to see that
perception changed.
The Biblical Recorder board
“understands where we are as a Convention and understands where we’re headed,”
he said.
Hodges asked for “prayerful
support as we seek to build God’s Kingdom through the Biblical Recorder.”
He commended those who
remain on staff after the resignation of Editor Norman Jameson Oct. 21.
Assistant Managing Editor Dianna Cagle, Office Manager Alison Zogby and
Circulation Manager Amie Moore are “absolutely committed to serving North
Carolina Baptists and absolutely committed to working out God’s call in their
lives as they work at the Recorder,” he said.
Hodges said the search
committee will consist of himself, incoming director Jo Andrews, a member of
Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro; and board members Robert Hefner, a staff
member at Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville; Richard Hicks, interim
pastor at East Lumberton Baptist Church, and Don Warren, a member of Parkwood
Baptist Church in Gastonia.
“We’re completely aware that it’s difficult,” Hodges said.
“But we are absolutely confident of God’s sovereign hand in and over these
circumstances.”
In a phone conversation Nov.
15, Hodges said the hope is for the search committee to meet in early December
“before the holidays get cranked up.”
At that time they will formalize a job
description as well as a timeline for having a new editor in place.
Jameson will continue as
editor through Dec. 31. Nominations will be accepted at Biblical Recorder, P.O.
Box 18808, Raleigh, NC 29619-8808. Attn: Search Committee.
Phone calls to
Hodges’ office at (336) 599-1982; e-mail: [email protected] with subject: Biblical
Recorder Search Committee.
Emergency surgery
Jameson, who had surgery Nov. 10, is at his home in
Raleigh recovering. His severe abdominal pain was caused from adhesions and
scar tissue built up where his appendix was removed 30 years ago. Doctors operated
later that day.