SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (ABP) — After serving on the job a little more than two years, Wendell Lang has resigned as executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association to accept a position as pastor of a Tennessee church.
Lang was hired as senior pastor of West Jackson Baptist Church of Jackson, Tenn., on Sunday, April 24. His resignation from IBSA is effective May 27 and he begins his new job June 1.
News of Lang's resignation stunned pastors and other Baptist leaders throughout the state. IBSA's search for a new executive director was a 16-month process that began with the formation of a seven-man search committee in October 2001, one month following Bob Wiley's resignation under pressure from some members of the board of directors.
“I was totally shocked, to say the least,” said convention president Don Sharp, a Chicago pastor. “The impression we had was that everything was going well and he was happy and satisfied.”
“I think there are some who are going to be pretty upset because of the resources expended to get [Lang] here,” said Milton Bost, director of missions for Capital City Baptist Association in Springfield. Bost speculated the search for the next executive director will focus on someone from within the state.
Lang came to Illinois from Oklahoma after serving as pastor of First Baptist Church of Pryor for 14 years. He was elected executive director in January 2003 on a 55-2 vote by the board of directors.
“He's done a good job at rebuilding trust within the state,” said Bost, who described Lang as a man with “integrity” who was “personable and open.” “My concern is that it hasn't been long enough.”
Several sources said there is no evidence Lang was pressured to resign. Lang was not in the office April 25 and unavailable for comment.
In a statement issued by IBSA, Lang said he and his wife, Pam, were “as surprised as anyone” by his resignation. “We would never have imagined our ministry here would be so brief. Our consolation is that God is not surprised and furthermore we are confident he led us both in our coming to IBSA as well as in our leaving.”
“It appears as if my role at IBSA was one of transitioning IBSA into what I believe will be a bright tomorrow,” Lang said. “I believe that the churches have confidence that IBSA is on the right track. There is a great enthusiasm throughout our state for the Kingdom and seeing the lost saved and baptized.”
Jerry Day, IBSA's chairman of the board of directors and director of missions for Clear Creek Baptist Association in Anna, was not immediately available to comment on the next steps to begin the search for a new executive director. Lang pledged to work with Day “to make these days of change smooth.”
Day, in a statement posted on IBSA's Web site, said “like many others, I envisioned them being here with us much longer, but I am grateful for the service they gave here.”
West Jackson Baptist Church has been without a senior pastor for 38 months, according to Maurice Hollingsworth, associate pastor of pastoral care and administration. The 99-year-old church averages 1,600 in worship and has 4,000 members. The church's election of Lang reportedly was unanimous, and 2,346 people were in attendance for Sunday morning's vote.