“Developing a Giving Life” is the theme of a convocation and public program to be held on Tuesday, May 20 at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond.
The convocation will focus on the present state of stewardship education and is open to pastors and lay leaders by advance registration fee.
Keynote speaker for the convocation will be Stephen McSwain, vice president of Cargill Associates, a fundraising firm for churches and non-profits.
In conjunction with the convocation, Carl Johnson will offer a workshop on establishing and maintaining a church endowment fund. Johnson, a retired financial executive with the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board, is president of the First Baptist Church of Richmond Endowment Fund, one of the oldest and largest of the Baptist church endowment funds in Virginia.
The convocation is sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. To register for the convocation, telephone the Center at (804) 289-8434.
In the evening, at 7:30, the Virginia Baptist Historical Society will hold its annual meeting, which also will focus on Christian stewardship.
McSwain will speak on the thesis of his new book, The Giving Myths, which suggests ways “to get the life you always wanted.”
The Heritage Fellows, college students appointed by the Center, will share stories of individuals who exemplify Christian stewardship in the giving of time, talents and resources.
The Society will present a memorial tribute to the late John C. Ivins, who led the stewardship education ministry of Virginia Baptists.
Admission to the evening program is free and open to the public. Churches are encouraged to bring groups to the evening program.