 Burge named executive director of the Presbyterian Lay Committee The Layman Online Tuesday, January 8, 2008 LENOIR, N.C. – Charles F. "Chuck" Burge, a senior executive with Coral Ridge Ministries Media Inc., has been named the new executive director of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. Burge, of Pompano Beach, Fla., assumed his duties Jan. 7 at the Presbyterian Lay Committee's offices in Lenoir.
Burge succeeds the Rev. Parker T. Williamson, who retired as chief executive officer of the Presbyterian Lay Committee on Dec. 31, 2005. Since then, he has continued to serve the ministry as a consultant, editor emeritus and senior correspondent. Successor to Parker Williamson "Needless to say, no one can replace Parker Williamson. Parker loves Christian journalism and he loves the work of the Lay Committee," Brown said. "We are pleased to assure our readers that we will continue to publish Parker's column in The Layman, as well as his special reports and commentaries on major developments in the life of the church. And we will call on him for his wisdom. We know that Chuck will continue on in that strong tradition." Burge said that, "I am delighted to be joining the Presbyterian Lay Committee at this point in its history. Through its fidelity to Scriptural authority and courageous stand for righteousness, God has prepared this ministry to make a significant impact for the cause of Christ during these exciting and unpredictable times." John C. Howard, chief operating officer of the Presbyterian Lay Committee, welcomed Burge to the ministry. "The staff in the Lenoir offices looks forward to working with Chuck as the Presbyterian Lay Committee continues its ministry of providing Christ-centered and Biblically faithful news, information and resources to the people in God's Church," Howard said. "He is a man of vision and of great faith, as his professional and personal background amply demonstrates. We pray that the Lord's anointing will be upon Chuck as he takes up his new duties." Burge spent the past 10 years working with the late Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries in Fort Lauderdale, including serving as interim executive vice president. In his more than 25 years of management experience in Christian media, Burge also has worked with the Moody Broadcasting Network and the Bible Broadcasting Network in Atlanta and Tampa. During his time with Coral Ridge Ministries Media, Burge oversaw Kennedy's syndicated radio broadcast Truths That Transform, which received the National Religious Broadcasters 2004 Program of the Year Award. He also oversaw two ground-breaking television documentaries: The DaVinci Delusion and Darwin's Deadly Legacy. "Chuck comes to us with the highest of recommendations and accolades," Brown said. "He is no stranger to the battles the church has been waging over the authority of Scripture and the person and work of Jesus Christ. His experience at Coral Ridge Ministries has prepared him for the trials and tribulations we face every day at the Lay Committee. Chuck's broadcasting and media experience will be of great benefit to this ministry and we look forward to his new and innovative ideas." Burge, who received a master's degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Knox Seminary in Fort Lauderdale and a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Communications from Pennsylvania State University, said that, "The strongest personal belief to which I adhere would be regarding Biblical fidelity and an orthodox understanding of interpreting the Scriptures as pertaining to all matters of faith and life." "I believe that the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments are inerrant, infallible and entirely reliable in all matters of faith and practice," Burge said. "I adhere to the understanding of the Scriptures as found in the Westminster Confession of Faith." Media's role in church growth Burge said that, "in the past 50 years, the evangelical church has grown exponentially. In part, this is due to the explosion of media. Television, radio and the Internet have served the evangelical church well in reaching millions around the world with the Gospel. At the same time, the mainline denominations are declining and fragmenting and are being replaced by informal, voluntary networks of Christians firmly committed to the Gospel and the core tenets of the Christian faith." "There is a need to develop new modes of communication via television, radio and the Internet, along with print, to facilitate the networking these committed believers already are doing," he said. "There also is an opportunity to create solid, Biblically-based materials that can help people with their spiritual growth and have a practical impact in their churches and communities. By the Providence and grace of God, the Presbyterian Lay Committee has been uniquely positioned to provide these things from a solid Biblical and theological foundation." Biblical fidelity "The Lay Committee will particularly look to Chuck for leadership in the new areas of our ministry," Brown said. "Our long-range plan calls for us to reach across denominational lines, to expand our communications into the newer technologies of the day, and to provide educational and training resources for the laity. Of course, we will continue to inform and equip our Christian brothers and sisters through The Layman and The Layman Online. Chuck will be vital to us as we expand our ministries." Burge said that, "the Presbyterian Lay Committee stands for the preservation and advancement of Biblical authority, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of the Reformation. In full cooperation with the Holy Spirit, we aim to inform and equip His saints for the work of ministry. There is not an endeavor more worthy of our attention and resources than joining God in the building of His church. Jesus Christ Himself has promised success (Matthew 16:18), so let's get busy joining Him in His work!" Burge is a member of the board of directors of the National Religious Broadcasters Association. He serves on the session of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, where he also serves as the chairman of both the Missions Committee and the Contemporary Worship Committee. He also is a certified Evangelism Explosion trainer. Burge and his wife Helen have two children: Benjamin, 18, who is a freshman at Covenant College, and Leah, 16, who is in training for a professional career in ballet. |
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