By Jeff Huett
Decatur, GA. –A Cooperative Baptist with more than 30 years of pastoral leadership has been named CBF’s next church development officer.
David Turner is currently senior pastor of Central Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., where he has served since 2003. He will begin his new role on August 1.
As church development officer, Turner will nurture relationships with congregational leaders — both clergy and laity — to cultivate their investment in the life of the Fellowship. He’ll also advise leadership on giving trends and help develop CBF’s coordinated fundraising efforts for churches and individuals.
Turner serves on the governing board of Good Faith Media and on the advisory board of the Jesus Worldview Initiative. He earned a D.Min. from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and an MDiv. from Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta.
Turner said he was “deeply honored” to accept this role with CBF.
“CBF’s commitment to freedom was what first drew me to the organization, but it is the meaningful relationships and opportunities for engagement that have sustained my involvement and strengthened my ministry in the local church,” Turner said. “My love for the local church has deepened through the challenges and triumphs of ministry, and I am thankful for CBF’s steadfast support for congregations.
“The approachability and collaboration of CBF leaders and field personnel have been invaluable to me. I am committed to mirroring that same level of dedication and accessibility as I work with congregations on issues of funding, generosity and financial stewardship.”
Shauw Chin Capps, CBF’s Chief Development Officer and president of the CBF Foundation, highlighted Turner’s fitness for this specialized role.
“The position of church development officer requires a mature congregational leader who understands and practices raising funds as a holy act of ministry,” Capps said. “This person also believes that it is the mission and vision of the organization that leads all fund-raising efforts, and that effective fundraising is genuinely relational.
“As a pastor with decades of experience in the local church, David not only knows how to build relationships, but he has effectively raised funds and resources to fuel the mission of the church,” Capps said. “His love for the local church and his denominational family, equips him to tell the compelling story of CBF that will draw and cultivate generosity across our Fellowship. I’m excited to work alongside David to invite our churches to participate in the joy of practicing generosity to unleash the Gospel work that CBF does in spreading God’s hope and love here and across the world.”
Paul Baxley, CBF’s Executive Coordinator, said he is grateful David said “yes” to this calling to serve.
“David’s decades of faithful pastoral ministry, his volunteer leadership in CBF Virginia and the larger CBF community, his investment in the thriving of partner organizations and his deep love for our Fellowship’s mission and ministry all prepare him to help congregations support our life together more generously while also making sure we remain focused on the thriving of those congregations,” Baxley said.
Debbie McDaniel is a former CBF Moderator and served on the board of Nurturing Faith with Turner as that organization merged with Ethics Daily to form what is now Good Faith Media.
“David Turner is a perfect selection for CBF’s chief development officer,” McDaniel said. “David excels at building relationships, using his strong communication skills to cultivate and strengthen ties between the church and her people. In my experience with David, he is approachable, articulate and will be an asset to the Fellowship.”
Mark Snipes, coordinator of CBF Virginia, said Turner has been a colleague, pastor, supervisor and friend for almost 15 years, and he is a great choice for CBF’s Church Development Officer.
“David’s love and understanding of congregations, along with many years of experience give him unique insight into tackling complicated congregational financial issues,” Snipes said. “As budgets get tighter and anxieties rise, David’s skills and calm demeanor will help alleviate tension, so congregations make healthy, impactful decisions rather than decisions made out of fear. This position is vital for CBF and for congregations, and I think David will lead us well.”
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CBF is a Christian network that helps people put their faith to practice through ministry efforts, global missions and a broad community of support. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.