Region Restructuring

In May of 2007, a special task force on ABCCR Structure and Staffing brought their report to the ABCCR Board of Directors. Reflecting the hard work of 14 Christian leaders from across the Central Region, the report was a proposal for significant change in how we might do work and ministry as the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region while navigating the changing currents of a post-modern culture.

Their year-long process of spiritual discernment and reflection, evaluation of ministries and resources, and vision-casting for a healthier future was received with gratitude and the commitment to find ways to implement the best of their ideas and proposals. A Task Force for Implementation was appointed; and for the past six months, they have been working to design a process by which we might step into a new future. Under the leadership of Past-President, Danny Trent; Steve Brecheisen, Lois Chiles, Ruth Clark, Dan Cole, Dave Davis and John Williams, they worked to produce a design that was presented to the ABCCR Board of Directors at the May 2008 Board Meeting. Adopted in principle, the stage was set for the writing of rules of procedure and by-laws changes that must be adopted by the Board in September and by the delegates to the Annual Gathering in October. Those changes, along with a brief summary, are posted here for your consideration.

The implications of these proposed changes are still not fully known. What is known is that we are “feeling our way” as we seek to be good stewards of the ministries Christ has called us to do in partnership as American Baptists of the Central Region. Some of the things you will notice immediately have to do with the reduced size of the Region Board of Directors and the ways in which Region Staff will be deployed to provide resources for our churches and clergy. While we have tried not to base our plans merely on the resources available to fund these ministries, we must admit insufficient giving to United Mission and the Region Offering seriously hamper our ability to do ministry in the ways to which we have become accustomed. In some respects this is good, for it is causing us to look for new ways to utilize available technology and willing volunteers to be better stewards of resources, as well as discover ways to call forth the spiritual gifts and talents of devoted women and men of God.

As you read through the report of the ABCCR Task Force on Structure and Staffing and the proposed changes and summary page produced by the Task Force on Implementation, give prayerful consideration to how these changes might help us do ministry better as we seek to grow healthy churches to fulfill Christ’s mission. If you have questions or concerns, talk to your Region Board representatives or contact any of the members of the Task Force on Implementation.

Bylaws
Rules of Procedure
Resolution

It is my prayer that we all look forward with hope and excitement as we seek to embrace the new day God has set before us. “Behold, I will do something new,” says the Lord. “Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. … The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise.” (Isa. 43:19,21)

Blessings,

John Williams
Executive Minister, ABCCR

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