NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources have approved a recommendation by their executive committee naming Brad Waggoner as vice president of B&H Publishing Group, effective immediately.
Waggoner succeeds Ken Stephens, who retired Jan. 15. The trustees’ Feb. 12 action came during LifeWay’s semiannual trustee meeting Feb. 11-12 in Nashville, Tenn.
Waggoner, who currently is vice president of LifeWay’s research and ministry development division, came to LifeWay in 2006 as the inaugural director of LifeWay Research. His role expanded in 2007 when he was named vice president with responsibilities for LifeWay Research, the E.C. Dargan Research Library, LifeWay missions, ministry development and strategic projects. He also functioned as LifeWay’s theologian in residence and academic liaison.
“Brad Waggoner is a true leader,” said Thom S. Rainer, LifeWay’s president and CEO, in recommending Waggoner to trustees. “He is surrounding himself with a dedicated and experienced team of B&H leaders. He knows and loves the local church, responds to challenges well, knows authors, has strong interpersonal skills, and he has a team philosophy. He will lead and make decisions, but at the same time he realizes that he works with a team at B&H and LifeWay.”
“We have a tremendous opportunity to propagate biblical truth in an increasingly dark age,” Waggoner told trustees as he outlined his vision for B&H. He referenced 1 Timothy 4:1 and 6 in underscoring the urgency of Christian publishing that features sound doctrinal themes.
“Southern Baptists have more churches, more seminaries, more students than other Christian denominations,” Waggoner said. “The responsibility we have to help these churches and pastors is paramount. We have a tremendous stewardship obligation to come alongside our churches and support them.”
Waggoner also emphasized the need to form a “competent, synergistic leadership team for the success of B&H — individuals who understand publishing, the business and the church.”
With Waggoner’s move to B&H, LifeWay Research, under the direction of Ed Stetzer, will report to LifeWay President Thom Rainer.
Prior to coming to LifeWay, Waggoner served as dean of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s school of leadership & church ministry in Louisville, Ky. He joined Southern’s teaching faculty in 1999 and assumed the dean’s role in 2001. During his time as dean, Waggoner developed and taught several classes on leadership and discipleship in addition to his administrative responsibilities.
Waggoner holds a Ph.D. and a master of religious education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a master of arts from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago.
The research for Waggoner’s doctoral dissertation, conducted in conjunction with the research department of the International Mission Board (IMB), involved the development of The Discipleship Inventory designed to measure the degree to which churches are developing biblical disciples. This instrument was used in several research projects overseas where the IMB was seeking to determine the quality of church work. This inventory also is included in LifeWay’s MasterLife discipleship training curriculum.
Waggoner and his wife Patti have two sons, Brandt and Blake.
–30–
Rob Phillips is director of communications for LifeWay Christian Resources.
