By Tim Madison
Pastor
Madison Heights Baptist Church, Madison Heights
I am so thankful our church is part of a state association where we are given the opportunity to participate based on the choices our congregation has made as it relates to the state and national Baptist organizations.
The autonomy of the local church to make decisions about how our receipts are distributed is of utmost importance as we partner together for the greater work of the Kingdom. Our history and our tradition firmly place us in the BGAV and have for over 100 years. Our first responsibility in giving to the work of missions outside of the local congregation is through the BGAV. The BGAV is part of our past, present and future as we continue to partner together in advancing the Kingdom.
My church's first priority is to the work of our state organization. We are very pleased that 72 cents of every dollar given stays in Virginia to provide for the priorities established through the BGAV. As the Southern Baptist Convention continued to change and redefine itself, as a congregation we were faced with the reality of who we were and how could we relate to this changing climate. Our church has a strong Baptist tradition as we define Baptist and we found the Southern Baptist Convention drifting further and further away from our core Baptist beliefs. As this drift continued we found ourselves looking for alternative mission organizations to partner with that reflected traditional Baptist beliefs. We found a home in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
The BGAV allows us to maintain that long-standing relationship as well as explore alternative giving with organizations that fit our definition of being Baptist. Church autonomy is respected in the BGAV, which holds to our understanding of what it means to be a connected Baptist.
Our church certainly has options for giving outside of the congregation. All of our undesignated receipts are channeled through WM3. If a member specifically designates money through another track or a special offering, the church honors the request. However, this has not been an issue in our congregation. Our church has spoken with one voice in regard to how we partner on the state and national levels. Our identity is crystal clear and with that identity we have made choices together that keep our church strong and unified.