In case you're wondering why MINISTRY editor J. R. Spangler is publicizing his election to the leadership of the newly combined General Conference Ministerial Association and Stewardship and Development Department, we, his editorial staff, have a confession to make. We sneaked this back-page story into this issue without his knowing it. You see, we're proud of our editor and his promotion, but realized that he'd never agree to what we had in mind if he were aware of it.
As secretary of the Ministerial Association, Bob becomes the sixth in a line of illustrious ministers who have served in this position: A. G. Daniells, 1922-1931; I. H. Evans, 1931-1941; L. E. Froom, 1941-1950; R. A. Anderson, 1950-1966; and N. R. Dower, 1966-1980.
The Stewardship Department, a more recent member among the roster of Genera] Conference departments, has been headed ably since its inception in 1966 by W. M. Starks and P. G. Smith. In a move to streamline the organizational structure of the church, the recent General Conference session in Dallas voted to merge the strengths of the Ministerial Association with those of the Stewardship and Development Department into a joint operation. Bob thus becomes the first head of this combined organization.
Ordained a Seventh-day Adventist minister in Orlando, Florida, in 1947, Bob has had a broadly varied background as pastor, evangelist, academy Bible teacher, Far Eastern Division Ministerial Association secretary, and General Conference Ministerial Association associate secretary (since 1962), which eminently qualifies him to fill his new role while continuing to serve as editor of MINISTRY magazine, a position he has held since 1966.
Probably best known as MINISTRY editor, Bob has nevertheless been in great demand throughout the world field as an effective evangelist and speaker. In recent years he has pioneered, with Dr. J. Wayne McFarland, the doctor-minister team approach to health evangelism.
Bob's interest in health evangelism, as well as his creative, dynamic approach to whatever captures his attention, was demonstrated in the addition of a twelve-page health-evangelism section to MINISTRY magazine in 1973 and in recent years in the development of the thrilling PREACH program (.Project for .Reaching .Every Active Clergyman at Home). Nearly 280,000 ministers of all faiths now receive every other issue of MINISTRY. Bob also caught the vision that has led to the development of one-day seminars to which the ministers who receive MINISTRY through the PREACH project are invited. To date, eighty of these seminars have been held, with many more planned for the future.
Many MINISTRY readers have met Bob personally and have learned to appreciate his dynamic enthusiasm. Probably few have met his wife, Marie, but her friendly, sweet, and loving spirit endears her to those who know her. Bob credits her with much that he has been able to accomplish as they have worked together as an effective husband-and-wife pastoral and evangelistic team since they were married in 1943. They have two daughters: Pat, who is a real-estate saleswoman in California; and Linda, who with her husband, Gordon Day, is serving as a missionary in Guam.
It is difficult for those of us who have worked closely with Bob for the past several years to share with our readers the extent of the inspiration, strength, and dynamic spiritual leadership that Bob has provided. But no matter how talented, a person can adequately meet the challenge of filling that place and meeting those responsibilities to which God calls him only in the strength that comes from God Himself. We know that Bob would be the first to appeal to MINISTRY readers to pray for him as he accepts his new and demanding duties. On his behalf, we, his fellow editors, solicit your interest and prayers that the Lord will impart generously His Spirit, power, and blessing to Bob and Marie as they enter this new phase of their ministry.
