With a new two-day format, North Carolina Baptists will gather Nov. 7-8 for their 181st annual meeting at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Baptists will hear reports on budget increases, policies on the social use of alcohol, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, proposed amendments to the state convention’s governing documents, and a challenge for North Carolina Baptists to live “on mission.”
This year’s shorter schedule is expected to eliminate expenses involved with a third day of meetings, while allowing enough time for all aspects of the annual meeting. The annual meeting will begin Monday at 6 p.m. following the Pastor’s Conference and will end Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.
“The Convention is glad the messengers approved the new schedule,” said Brian Davis, executive leader for administration and Convention relations.
“We hope this schedule will allow more North Carolina Baptists to join us in Greensboro.”
Approximately 2,000 messengers are expected to attend this year’s meeting.
Reports and more
On Tuesday, the Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention (BSC) of North Carolina will present to messengers for approval the proposed 2012 Cooperative Program budget. One budget highlight reflects the first increase in ministry dollars since 2008. The $33,500,000 budget is a 2.5 percent increase from the 2011 budget.
It’s the sixth consecutive year that the budget includes an increase for church planting, and it’s the seventh year for a one-half percent increase in the allocation of funds sent to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The proposed allocation to the SBC is 35.5 percent.
BSC file photo by K Brown Prayer is an integral part of each Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) annual meeting. Prayer guides are offered for each session. This year’s two-day meeting sets aside time for prayer during each session to pray about the direction of the Convention. Use this special Convention section to find out what is happening in and around Koury Convention Center Nov. 6-8. |
Though Cooperative Program funds are $19,823, 939.59 – 7.24 percent behind budget – BSC continues to operate in the black. Compared to last year’s numbers, the BSC is ahead in both the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings.
Messengers will hear reports from two committees formed earlier this year to respond to questions raised by messengers during the 2010 meeting.
One committee will present a report affirming current policies on alcohol consumption for the BSC staff, BSC supported church planters, and those individuals recommended to serve on the committees and boards of the BSC.
Another committee will present a resolution that affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BF&M). It will be included in the written report to the annual meeting. Messengers will have an opportunity to affirm that resolution.
The Board also will bring four proposed amendments to the governing documents to be considered by messengers. The first motion proposes an amendment to Article VI. Membership: Composition of the Articles of Incorporation. The purpose of the amendment is to bring clarity to the use of “members” and “messengers.” A statement will be added affirming that both can be used interchangeably. This motion will require a two-thirds majority to be approved.
The remaining three proposed bylaw amendments apply to Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, which is operated by the BSC. The bylaw amendments update and make consistent the BSC bylaws with Fruitland’s revised Constitution. Each motion will require a simple majority.
Messengers also will elect new officers. This year’s candidates will include: Mark E. Harris, who will be nominated for president; CJ Bordeaux Sr. for first vice president, and Timmy Blair Sr. for second vice president.
Harris is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Charlotte. Bordeaux is pastor of Gorman Baptist Church in Durham. Blair is the pastor of Piney Grove Chapel Baptist Church in Angier. They are expected to run unopposed.
All In!
Messengers will hear more about how they can be “All In,” which is this year’s annual meeting theme, based on 1Timothy 2:3-6. The theme encourages all North Carolina Baptist churches to be compelled by the same vision that compelled Jesus Christ: that all people may know Him as Savior and Lord.
“I am praying that ‘All In’ will become more than just another meeting theme,” said Milton A. Hollifield Jr., BSC executive director-treasurer.
“I hope it will become the theme of our lives.
“For the past two years North Carolina Baptists have stepped up and responded to the challenge to become more intentional in evangelism and discipleship, and we have seen God work in extraordinary ways in some of our churches.”
Interpretations will be offered on the theme throughout the annual meeting.
They will be offered by Greg Mathis, senior pastor of Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville; Clint Pressley, senior pastor of Hickory Grove Church in Charlotte; and Merrie Johnson, senior consultant of evangelization at BSC.
Monday evening the Convention will introduce the third phase in a three-year initiative designed to encourage North Carolina Baptists in evangelism, discipleship and missions mobilization.
The 2012 emphasis, “Find it Here: Expanding the Kingdom,” is focused on challenging North Carolina Baptists to live “on mission” in their community, state, nation and world with the gospel of Christ.
For more information visit finditherenc.org.
Daryl Craft, pastor of Green Street Baptist Church in High Point, will deliver the Convention sermon during the Tuesday evening session.
Craft has served as pastor at Green Street Baptist Church since 2007. He previously served churches in Oklahoma, Alabama and Tennessee. Craft earned his doctor of ministry and master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Attendees will also hear messages from Hollifield and Ed Yount, outgoing president the Baptist State Convention. Hollifield will give the executive director-treasurer’s address Monday evening, and Yount will bring his president’s address Tuesday morning.
Other events
The annual meeting will feature a variety of special events, presentations and related meetings.
One of those events is the Great Commission Partnership Missions breakfast.
Messengers will have the opportunity to explore mission opportunities from the BSC, North American Mission Board (NAMB) and International Mission Board (IMB), as well as networking opportunities with other pastors and leaders.
George Russ, executive director of the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association, will be the keynote speaker at the missions breakfast.
The breakfast will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and is open to all pastors, church staff, mission leaders and spouses.
The event is free, but registration is required and space is limited.
The Pastor’s Conference will also be held at the Koury Convention Center beginning Sunday evening and concluding Monday afternoon. This year’s conference theme will focus on Hebrews 1:3, which promises believers that Jesus Christ is always “sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Speakers include: Logan Carson, Greg Mathis, Lee Pigg, Clayton King, Larry Wynn, John Bisagno and David Dykes. The conference also will include a question and answer session.
On Tuesday afternoon messengers can attend one of the 19 breakout sessions. The sessions are designed to focus on biblical topics and practical information that can be applied to everyday life. The sessions feature topics such as “Church Renewal,” “The Minister’s Juggling Act,” “Evangelism Crash Course,” and “Web Empowered Church.”
Exhibit hall
The exhibit hall will be open Monday 2 p.m.-9 p.m. and Tuesday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Messengers can check out more than 100 exhibits featuring BSC ministry groups, institutions and agencies, as well as exhibits offering various resources to churches such as insurance, church building and planning, and website development.
For more information and a complete listing of exhibitors go to ncannualmeeting.org.