RICHMOND — Eddie Stratton will retire Dec. 31 as treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Virginia after more than 11 years in the role, he announced April 16.
Stratton, who also serves as the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s treasurer, business manager and director of development, has been the BGAV’s chief financial officer during a decade of economic uncertainty.
Eddie Stratton
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“The task has not been easy since much of his work has been done in the worst of economic climates,” said John Upton, executive director of the BGAV and the VBMB. “His tenure began just after the Enron crisis in 2002 which affected the economic confidence of the country. He has had to work in the middle of the Great Recession of 2008 and the most recent challenge — which affects Virginia directly — has been the fears associated with sequestration.
“Yet Virginia Baptist facilities have all received needed attention ensuring a viable future of ministry for each,” Upton said. “Virginia Baptist churches have relied on Eddie’s experience and wisdom as they have faced administrative and financial challenges.”
During his tenure, Stratton played a key role in restructuring the VBMB staff and in implementing the BGAV’s Kingdom Advance missional strategy. He guided a renovation and modernization of Virginia Baptist properties and facilities and produced the Church Administrator’s Toolbox, a primer on congregational life which has been reprinted several times.
He also initiated, in conjunction with the Virginia Baptist Foundation, an endowment for the VBMB which now stands at about $1.6 million. Upton said he hopes Stratton will continue working with the endowment effort on a part-time basis.
A nominee to succeed Stratton is expected to be presented at the BGAV’s annual meeting Nov. 12-13 in Fredericksburg. If elected, the new treasurer will benefit from a period of transition — an advantage unavailable to Stratton, who became treasurer following the sudden death of Nat Kellum in 2001.
Though BGAV bylaws require that the General Asssociation’s treasurer also serve as the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s treasurer, a separate vote by the VBMB will be necessary to confirm Stratton’s successor in the board position.
Robert Dilday (rdilday@religousherald.org) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.