NACBA Past President Zeb E. Barnhardt Passes Away

It is with profound sadness that we report the death of Zeb E. Barnhardt, FCBA, who passed away peacefully just after 6:00 AM EDT today. He was 93 years old.

 Zeb was president of NACBA in 1965-1966 and was inducted into the NACBA Hall of Fame for Church Business Administrators in 1988. He attended 44 of our 51 national conferences, by far more than any other person. His last conference with us was the 50^th national conference in Chicago in 2006. Zeb was a frequent and generous contributor to the NACBA Endowment Fund, having made many donations in memory or in honor of his friends in NACBA. He was also actively involved with the United Methodist Association of Church Business Administrators and the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.

An inspiring interview with Zeb is included on the NACBA 50^th Anniversary commemorative DVD. He began the interview by stating “My story goes way back with NACBA. It’s been my life. I feel that I’ve given a lifetime to NACBA.”

Zeb wrote to us while we were conducting our 51^st national conference last month. Here is the text of his letter.

Dear Simeon and Staff,

I would give my eyeteeth to be with you and all the others at the 2007 NACBA conference now in session and to have the privilege to meet and congratulate the recipients of the 2007 FCBA Award and others being recognized for special service. I would also want to thank our many exhibitors for their support.

It has been a long time since the NACBA organizational meeting 51 years ago in Los Angeles. I had to miss that first conference in Los Angeles since I was just a youngster on the far side of the continent and did not have the support of the church. In the beginning, all we had were some good ideas, a little manual by Dr. William A. Leach, a real pioneer in the field of church management, and another voice in the Washington area, Dr. Clyde Humphrey, a smart man who struggled to be heard before the days of electronics. We had to pass our written exams around to members of the Training and Standards Committee to have them grade the exams. We have had some great statesmen in the leadership of NACBA down through the years, and I have been fortunate to work with and learn from many of them.

Many who have come through our program now have their own programs and make a living passing along information they gained through attendance at our conference. Kennon Callahan and Lyle Schaller are the first to come to mind as ones who would be referred to churches requesting assistance. This is partly why I always insisted that we refer to our gathering as a conference, not a convention. People often get the idea that conventions are primarily for fun. Participation in our annual conference and in our association and chapter meetings has been one of my main interests.

Since my birthday is July 13, it usually comes during the course of our annual conference. I will turn 93 this year, and I wish I could be there to celebrate it with you. I have met so many people through my participation in NACBA who mean so much to me. Please encourage everyone to hang tough and keep up the good work. We have a great staff, and I am proud to be connected with you.

Sincerely,

Zeb E. Barnhardt

Here are just a few comments that have already arrived this morning.

I am so very sad to hear about the loss of our dear Zeb. I am at a loss for words. I continued to save cards and notes from Zeb that were always supportive, encouraging and so very kind.  What a thoughtful model to us all who and over the years he was truly a "Key Leader" in every sense of the words.  My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Janice Johnson, NACBA President 2000-2002

 

This news makes me sad. Zeb went out of his way to welcome me to conferences and encourage me when I first joined NACBA. Merwin Pickney, NACBA President 2004-2006

This is a sad day for all of us—Zeb was such a fantastic friend and supporter of all of us at NACBA. I never heard him say a negative thing about any person ever. I will miss him and his bubbly personality—he was a great spirit lifter to all who knew him. Nancy Mapston, retired NACBA staff member

There are tentative plans for a memorial service on Saturday, August 11, at 11:00 AM at Centenary United Methodist Church, where for many years Zeb served with distinction as church business administrator. The church’s address is

Centenary United Methodist Church
646 West Fifth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27102