Ken Miller retires after 30 years at SBOM

Ken Miller said he’s not ready to leave Alabama Baptist life completely, but is eager all the same to spend more time fishing and with his family following his retirement from the State Board of Missions (SBOM).

Miller, who ended a 30-year career with the SBOM on Dec. 31, 2000, served in three departments under four executive directors. His most recent assignment was as director of the office of communications and marketing, where he served for the past 15 years.

“Ken Miller has concluded an extraordinary tenure with the State Board of Missions,” said Rick Lance, current executive director. Lance commended Miller for being “faithful to the task of missions and ministry.”

Miller said the communications office has made “a serious attempt to communicate Baptist life in a variety of ways.” From preparing the FOCUS section in The Alabama Baptist to the Pastor’s Packet and the convention’s Web site, he said Ala­bama Baptist information is communicated through many different media.

During his tenure, Miller also served in the stewardship office. Lance said  Miller “has exemplified an enormous degree of flexibility in being able to make the transition from one ministry assignment to another.”

Born and raised in Birmingham, Miller became a Christian at age 11 while attending First Baptist Church, Pratt City. His family later moved to Central Park Baptist Church, Birmingham, and during his senior year in high school, he made a decision to commit his life to full-time Christian vocation.

In the 1950s, Central Park ordained him to the ministry. He attended Howard College (now Samford University) and preached in churches across Alabama.

After graduation, Miller served as pastor of several Ala-

bama churches before attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While in seminary, Miller was pastor of three churches in Mississippi and also served in the Church Training Office of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.

In 1970, George Caldwell, director of Church Training for the Alabama Baptist State Convention, asked Miller to return to Ala­bama and work in his department.

Miller has seen many changes in Alabama Baptist life. He said although some aspects have become “more casual,” the ministries have become “more specialized.”

Although retired, Miller remains active. He is consulting with various churches and associations through the Discipleship Training office and the stewardship office.

Miller also plans to spend time with his wife, Beverly, who is executive director of Ala­bama Woman’s Missionary Union, his children and grandchildren and his 90-year-old mother, Emily.