State board taps Smith for office of LeaderCare

Howard L. “Chip” Smith is the newest associate in the office of Leader­Care and church administration of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) as of May 1.
  
Among his responsibilities are providing resources for church administration to Alabama Baptists through avenues such as conferences and consultations.
  
Smith’s office helps churches with topics including hiring and management of staff, buildings and grounds, bus and van ministry and designing church publications.
  
“Chip is a capable and compassionate servant of the Lord who brings a wealth of experience gained from more than three decades in vocational ministry,” said Rick Lance, SBOM executive director.
  
Smith and others in the office “provide Alabama Baptist leaders with valuable insights in these strategic ministry areas,” Lance said.
  
“I am thankful to have someone as qualified as Chip to work alongside of me in this office,” said Dale Huff, director of the office of Leader­Care and church administration. “He brings (nearly) 40 years of ministry experience in Alabama churches as well as involvement and support on the associational and state convention level. 
  
“He will be an asset to the work of the state board, which is to assist the churches and associations to fulfill their Great Commission responsibilities.”
  
For 13 years, Smith served as pastor of Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville, in Autauga Baptist Association. 
  
Prior to that, he served as pastor of Cubahatchie Baptist Church, Shorter; Sweet Water Baptist Church; Catoma Baptist Church, Montgomery; First Baptist Church, Midfield; and First Baptist Church, Geneva.
  
He also served Alabama Baptists in other roles, including chairman of the SBOM and trustee of the University of Mobile.
  
A graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Smith earned his master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Elise, have two children and three grandchildren. (TAB)