Changed lives.
That’s how Milton A. Hollifield Jr. wants the Baptist State
Convention of North Carolina (BSC) to be measured.
“We are trying to help churches accomplish what they want to
accomplish,” said Hollifield, BSC executive director-treasurer. “We measure
what we do by how it’s changing lives.”
On Feb. 10, the BSC held the first Vision Fulfillment (VF)
forum listening session. The attendance was lower than expected but leaders
felt the smaller crowd encouraged an atmosphere of dialogue, with attendees and
committee members discussing foundational questions, such as how to ensure that
the state Convention is relevant and beneficial to North Carolina Baptist
churches as they seek to reach their communities and beyond for Christ.
The event, which was held at Scotts Hill Baptist Church in
Wilmington, was the first of 14 listening sessions planned across the state. (See
www.ncbaptist.org/vf for a list of future
dates.)
Several wondered aloud if the lack of participation might be
a sign that pastors and church leaders are happy with the BSC’s direction and
vision. Phil Ortego, senior pastor at Scotts Hill, said he believes the
majority of people agree with the Convention’s vision as outlined in the Seven
Pillars for Ministry vision statement. The Seven Pillars was written by
Hollifield and approved by the Board of Directors, which is comprised of pastors
and lay leaders from across the state. (Any member of a NC Baptist church can
nominate someone to be a member of the Board.)
VF committee member Al James, pastor of Carey Baptist Church
in Henderson and associate dean of proclamation studies at Southeastern Baptist
Theological Seminary, said he wouldn’t necessarily read the lack of attendance
as, “everything is OK” because it might mean that people feel disengaged from
the Convention.
Jimmie Suggs, evangelism pastor and administrator at Scotts
Hill said he thinks the Convention needs to ask the question, “What would be
lost in Christendom if the Convention didn’t exist?” He said his church is
constantly evaluating what they do at their church. “How much more should the
Convention being doing that?” he asked.
Mark Harris, committee member and Convention first vice
president, responded. “That’s what we’re doing here. We want people to say,
‘Here’s what’s working. Here’s what’s not working.’”
Of course, the best way for the committee to know what
people are thinking and feeling about the Convention’s work is to hear from
pastors and church leaders at the upcoming VF forums. The next one is Feb. 24 at
Old Town Baptist Church in Winston-Salem from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Participants will be asked to share with the committee and
will also be given the opportunity to fill out a written survey and
questionnaire.
VF Committee Chairman Allan Blume considers this an historic
moment in N.C. Baptist life.
“We have seen many very positive changes in
Convention life over the past five years. Now is the time to ‘fine tune’ the
way we invest our resources within the context of our vision to fulfill the
Great Commission. The input of NC Baptists is essential if we are going to
cooperate as churches to see God’s glory made known to the nations. Please do
not miss this rare privilege to share the priorities that God has built into
your heart for completing the assignment Jesus left with us. We really want to
hear your heart and we commit to you that we will seriously weigh the input of
all NC Baptists.”
Visit www.ncbaptist.org/vf.
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