IMB cuts back missionary appointments. In response to reduced giving during the current economic downturn, trustees of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board approved suspending new appointments to the International Service Corps and Masters programs and reduce the number of new appointments to its career, apprentice and associate programs. The ISC program is designed for Southern Baptists age 21 and over who wish to serve two- or three-year terms abroad; the Masters program is for people age 50 and over. New appointments will continue on a more selective basis, involving the most strategic assignments, officials said. This comes after a year when Southern Baptists sent out 1,088 new missionaries in all categories combined through the IMB. This year, long-term appointments will be capped at 300. With 220 already appointed to date, only 80 more appointments will be made for the fiscal year. In any given year, the IMB typically appoints 700 missionaries in all categories to replace attrition through end of term, retirement, resignation and other reasons. In 2008, 5,495 personnel were serving in the field, and 4,286 of these were long-term missionaries.
Deweese to retire from History & Heritage Society. After 10 years as executive director, Charles W. Deweese has announced plans to retire Oct. 31 from the Baptist History & Heritage Society. Deweese, who was treated for lymphoma in 2007 and 2008, said his health is excellent and is not the reason he is stepping down. He said body scans last fall and in January and April have all come back clear. Deweese led the Society in 2001 to change its name from the Southern Baptist Historical Society to its present name in order to broaden its constituency base and to work more effectively with a greater number of Baptist denominations, organizations, and individuals. The society currently has nearly 700 members in the United States and about 30 international members in 16 countries. In 2007, the Society relocated its offices to the Mercer University campus in Atlanta, Ga.