Meeting on June 9, the executive committee of the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation accepted Bullock’s retirement notice and set June 20 as his last day in the magazine’s Richmond, Va., office. He will continue serving as a consultant through Oct. 31.
Board President R. Jackson Sadler said a search committee will be named to begin the process of selecting a successor, with the new editor to be named by the board’s meeting next February.
Bullock was recently honored by the board with a special award presented during the 215th General Assembly in Denver. The award noted his “wisdom that comes from a deep study of Presbyterian heritage, his dedication as a preacher of the gospel, his multitude of cherished friendships and his enlightened skills as a perceptive editor, enabling him to speak through the pages of The Outlook to people across the church. For his lifting up the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing clear direction of the ways that lead to unity and peace, drawing together voices from across the church, deepening appreciation for our theological heritage and challenging us to serve God in fresh and creative ways. And in addition to all, for his writing with rare eloquence and grace!”
The magazine will continue in the interim under the direction of Associate Editor John Sniffen, Business Manager Pat Gresham and Interim Chief Operations Officer Ed Nugent.
Since the Outlook name was adopted in 1944 for this magazine — which dates its origin back to an antecedent publication in 1819 — there have been only four editors: Aubrey N. Brown, Ernest Trice Thompson, George Laird Hunt and Bullock.
A graduate of Austin College (Texas) and Austin Seminary, Bullock also holds degrees from the University of Michigan (M.A. in political science) and Princeton University (M.A. and Ph.D.in religion). His doctoral thesis was a study of attempts at Presbyterian reunion in the 20th century. Following completion of his studies, he served as director of Ecumenical Ministries of Callaway County, Fulton, Mo. (1975-77); associate pastor of Covenant church, Austin, Texas (1978-81); associate pastor of First church, Lynchburg, Va. (1981-83); and was organizing pastor of First church, Allen, Texas (1983-88).
