Prentice Lloyd Elder

Former Lifeway President

Lloyd Elder, dies Nov. 3

NASHVILLE--Lloyd Elder, seventh president of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now called Lifeway Christian Resources), died Nov. 3 at age 90. He led the board from 1984-1991.

James Williams, executive vice president under Elder, described him as “one of God’s giants and, throughout the years of his ministry, he demonstrated the highest qualities of Christ-centered servant leadership. Southern Baptist Convention programs assigned to Lifeway grew rapidly. His management style ‘toward excellence’ greatly enhanced staff loyalty but, most importantly, led to improved effectiveness and greater results in the churches.”

After leaving the board, Elder served as professor and Paschall Chair of Biblical Studies and Preaching at Belmont University, Nashville. Additionally, he founded and directed the Moench Center for Church Leadership at Belmont and created the Servant Leaders Today website jointly with Lloyd Elder and Associates, Inc., that focused on excellence in leadership skills for Christian ministers."

Before going to the Sunday School Board, Elder served as executive vice president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1978-83) and assistant to the executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, 1975-78. He served as pastor of several Southern Baptist churches, the last being Gambrell Street Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, 1969-75.

Elder is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sue Bristow Elder, one daughter, Donna Sue Maas (Richard) Winston-Salem, N.C., five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son Philip Lloyd Elder and daughter Janet Lynne Elder.

He earned a B.A. degree from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas, in 1956. He later earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in New Testament studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He also received honorary doctorates from Dallas Baptist University, Howard Payne University and Campbell University, Buies Creek N.C.

He served as a leader in many professional and denominational organizations, including the Baptist World Alliance, Church Leadership Commission, Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers Association (BSCLN), and National Association of Church Business Administrators.

In addition, Elder was the author of more than 20 text/workbook publications on leadership, wrote Blueprints: Ten Challenges for a Great People, a book published in 1984, and a 1993 research report on Southern Baptist life, Calling the Family Back Together. He also wrote numerous articles on personal/spiritual development, management, strategic planning and staff guidance.

A celebration of life for Elder will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at

Gambrell Street Baptist Church with burial to follow at Laurel Land Cemetery, Fort Worth. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Nashville, at 11 a.m. on Dec. 11.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellandfortworth.com for the Elder family.