NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lifeway Christian Resources President Thom Rainer has announced changes in the organization’s executive leadership.
In communication to Lifeway’s 3,900 employees, Rainer announced that long-time vice president of Lifeway Christian Stores, Mark Scott, has elected to retire following several months of significant health challenges.
Scott will be replaced by Tim Vineyard, currently vice president of Lifeway’s technology division, who Rainer named as acting vice president of the retail division until Lifeway trustees can review and affirm the change.
Rainer said the changes are both difficult yet affirming.
“In his 30 years of service to Lifeway, Mark Scott has had an incalculable impact on the stores division as well as the broader Lifeway organization,” Rainer said. “When he took over the division in 1992, there were 63 stores and 800 employees. Today we have 160 Lifeway Christian Stores with 2,400 employees.”
Rainer said Scott has made remarkable recovery after experiencing a stroke in June, followed by heart surgery to correct a congenital condition that caused the stroke.
“Mark needs to devote significant effort to achieving 100 percent recovery. However, I’m very pleased that his progress to date will allow him to serve as executive consultant to me, providing Lifeway the benefit of his vast knowledge and experience.”
Scott said serving at Lifeway has been “the greatest adventure of my life. I believe the future of Lifeway is brighter than ever as the organization continues to focus on providing the highest quality biblical resources to individuals and churches.”
“Of course, Mark’s retirement leaves a huge, strategic hole in our executive leadership team,” Rainer said. “But, I’m excited to announce that, after much prayer and consultation, the Lord has already provided us the individual who perfectly fits these stringent qualifications. That person is Tim Vineyard, current vice president of our technology division.”
Before coming to Lifeway in 2000 as director of the E-business group, Vineyard served 23 years as vice president of an Apple Computer retailer. He was named vice president of Lifeway’s technology division two years later and has led development of Lifeway’s diverse and extensive business systems and website portals including Lifeway.com, the corporate technology infrastructure and voice and data systems, including business systems for Lifeway Christian Stores.
“The Lord has provided Tim the experience, passion and commitment we need in a visionary executive to lead the stores division into an even brighter future,” Rainer said.
Rainer said the changes are effective immediately, and Lifeway will quickly begin a national search for a vice president of technology.
By Marty King, Director of communications, Lifeway Christian Resources
