Holloway Named Executive Director of World Convention

By Staff

Gary Holloway has been appointed executive director of World Convention, President B. J. Mpofu announced. Holloway succeeds Jeff Weston, who returned to Australia in 2009 after serving as executive director since 2004, and Bill McDonald, who has served on an interim basis for several months.

Holloway currently is Ijams Professor of Spirituality at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, and ministers with Natchez Trace Church of Christ in Nashville. He was a member of the planning committee for the 17th World Convention, conducted in Nashville, July 30 through Aug. 3, 2008.

The World Convention is a quadrennial global gathering of Christians who have a common heritage in the Stone-Campbell tradition, which includes a cappella churches of Christ, the Christian churches/churches of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Holloway has rich experience in ministry among churches of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Since 2003 he has been a member of the Stone-Campbell Dialogue. He was a participant in the Fellowship of Professors meetings with those in Christian churches and churches of Christ. In 1995, he delivered the Kirkpatrick Lecture for the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, where he is a life member. He is active in ecumenical efforts in the Nashville area. 

He has traveled internationally more than 25 times and taught in London, Vienna, and St. Petersburg. The church where he ministers is a multicultural worshiping community with members from China, Germany, Brazil, and Zimbabwe. He holds degrees from Freed-Hardeman College, Harding University, University of Texas, and the PhD from Emory University. He has published 26 books and numerous articles. He also has broad experience in administrative and promotional work. 

“The appeal of this position for me is the opportunity it gives to experience and promote the wholeness of the church across denominational, racial, language, and national boundaries,” said Holloway, who will begin his service to the World Convention on a part-time basis on Feb. 1 and begin full-time on Aug. 1.

Interim director McDonald, who retired as minister of Crestwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lexington, KY, will continue as a consultant with World Convention until Holloway completes his current responsibilities to Lipscomb University.

Holloway is married to Deb, who teaches theatre at Lipscomb University; they live in Nashville.

The World Convention”s Web site is www.worldconvention.org.