Ten South Carolina Baptist Convention staff members will be retiring effective Dec. 31, although five “field service” workers among the group will remain available to the convention in the coming year on a contract basis.
Convention employees who are at least 59 1/2 years old and who met other qualifying criteria were offered a voluntary early-retirement option and a transition assistance package by the SCBC Executive Board. The early retirement option was prompted in part when GuideStone Financial Services of Dallas announced that it will reduce its funding rate for annuity retirement plans in 2011. Participants who retire by Dec. 31 will be allowed to lock in the current higher funding rates.
Fourteen SCBC employees were eligible to accept early retirement, and 10 elected to do so. They include: Vicki Bailey, ministry assistant, communications and mission development team; Claude Belton, offset lithographer, print services group; Dianne Cockrell, team assistant, communications and mission development team; Betty Head, ministry assistant, association and pastoral ministries office; Bobby Jackson, director, evangelism group; Mark Jeffcoat, director, support services group; Kathy Jones, accounting assistant, accounting group; Joe Mack, director, office of public policy; Don Matthews, director, church health and revitalization office; and Cliff Satterwhite, director, disaster relief group.
Satterwhite
Matthews
Mack
Jeffcoat
JacksonIn order to provide uninterrupted service to churches, Satterwhite, Jackson, Jeffcoat, Mack and Matthews will serve as contract workers to the SCBC during the coming year. Cockrell will continue as a part-time special assistant.
“We as South Carolina Baptists are deeply grateful for the many years of faithful service given by these exemplary staff members,” said Jim Austin, SCBC executive director-treasurer. “Some have labored a few years, some most of their adult lives. Each has left his or her own unique mark on Baptist life in South Carolina.
“Even in retirement years, we pray for God’s continued use of each of these as they continue their valuable service in our Lord’s kingdom. We pledge to them our prayers and wish for them God’s continuing enabling hand.”
Prior to the announced retirements, there were 76 full-time and two part-time employees at the SCBC building.