Trustees of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif., elected President William O. Crews to the transition post of chancellor and charged the board’s executive committee with the task of recommending a new president for the institution.
Crews, 67, set the process for naming a new president in motion during the board’s semiannual meeting Oct. 14 in an effort to provide leadership continuity for the future.
“I feel good about what God has done and where we are,” Crews said. “I love this seminary and intend to continue to give it my wholehearted support and devotion.”
The longest-tenured of the six Southern Baptist Convention seminary presidents, Crews was elected to lead Golden Gate in 1986.
Although officially vacating the office of the president after 17 years of service and taking up the post of chancellor, Crews will maintain the duties of president and chief executive until a new leader is elected and in place, officials noted.
Once a new president is named, Crews will serve until retirement in a more typical chancellor role, such as assisting the new president with fund raising, constituent development and planning.
‘Through search’ needed
Crews and board leaders indicated that starting the process now will allow time to conduct a thorough search before his retirement at age 70.
Crews lauded the seminary’s board members for their willingness to “put the needs of the seminary and its mission in the western United States above individual agendas.” Crews noted he had worked with 130 different trustees during the last 17 years of his administration.
“I am confident [the board] will choose the right leader and that he will take the seminary to the next level,” Crews said.
Calvin Kelly, pastor of Valleydale Baptist Church, Hoover, is a member of the seminary trustees’ executive committee.
(BP)
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