(JACKSON, MS) – March 12, 2013 – The executive committee of RTS has announced the retirement of Dr. Michael A. Milton from his office of chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Milton explained that he has suffered from a debilitating illness that the physicians confirmed could not be remedied without sustained rest. They also confirmed that upon sustained rest, and a period of recovery, he could resume his pastoral duties. In light of this, and for the sake of recovery from a chronic illness and to seek future, long term ministry in the church for Mike, the executive committee of RTS has recommended a compassionate retirement from his position of leadership effective May 1, 2013.

Richard Ridgway, chairman of the board of trustees said “This difficult decision was made out of love for Mike and Mae Milton and a desire to see a return to health and future service in the church of Christ. Mike has served RTS steadfastly. We ask for prayers for this gifted and visionary servant of Christ during this time of rest and recovery. ”

Dr. Milton has written a personal letter to the family and friends of RTS regarding this transition from service at RTS. Please access his pastoral letter at michaelmilton.org.

A search for Dr. Milton’s replacement as chancellor will begin immediately. The Rev. M. Steve Wallace, RTS Chief of Staff, has been asked by the board to serve as acting CEO for the interim until the naming of the next chancellor.

Dr. Michael Milton has served RTS since 2006 in various capacities including president of the Charlotte campus of RTS. While president of Charlotte, he founded the Chaplain Ministry Institute as well as the Institute for Reformed Campus Ministries. While the Charlotte president, he also served as interim president for the Orlando campus for over a year. Dr. Milton was elected as Chancellor-elect in 2011, and after serving as chancellor-elect for a year, he succeeded Dr. Ric Cannada as the fourth president/chancellor of RTS in June 2012. As chancellor, Dr. Milton led in the restructuring of RTS’ global education initiatives and spread the word of RTS through pulpits around the country and the world.

Dr. Milton is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America and earned his doctorate degree in theology from The University of Wales and holds multiple degrees from such respected institutions as Knox Theological Seminary, Mid-America Nazarene University and the Defense Language Institute. He has also served as professor of pastoral theology at RTS and has written commentaries that appear in national newspapers and publications.

Milton is multi-talented and has released four CDs, 16 books and writes for numerous popular and scholarly periodicals. He has been the host and preacher of Faith for Living (faithforlivingtv.com), a nationally broadcast Bible teaching program airing on the NRB Network. He was appointed to the College of Military Preachers, serves as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve and is an instructor at the Armed Forces Chaplain School.

To read Dr. Milton’s reflections on this turn of events, folow this link: Difficult but Necessary: Relinquishing Leadership in Winter to Renew in Another Season of Ministry