UPDATE: Dr. Austin has been elected unanimously. During discussion, the only objection raised concerned the salary package of $155,000 plus another $20,000 to 30,000 in benefits.
UPDATE II: The chairman of the search committee shared with the convention that when Dr. Austin met with him and the CFO for the SCBC in March, Dr. Austin suggested the salary was too high. That is a credit to his character. However, the salary was recommended by an outside consulting group that studied Dr. Austin’s experience and skills and the salaries of the directors of seven nearby Baptist state conventions. Of the seven conventions they studied, their recommended salary ranked sixth and is lower than outgoing director Dr. Carlisle Driggers. So the Administrative Committee of the SCBC Executive Board felt comfortable keeping the salary as it was recommended to them.
Dr. Jim Austin is speaking to the 420 messengers at the called meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Convention right now. He comes across as a man of humility and has shared his life and experiences.
One of his emphases?and I think he’s exactly right?is discipleship. Conversions are wonderful, but we’re called to make disciples. Dr. Austin is an articulate speaker with a slight southern drawl.
I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen and heard so far and barring any concerns during the debate time (which begins now) I’ll be voting for his election.
Impacting the Kingdom through Worship,
