HAMPTON, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists prepared for their future Nov. 9-10 by affirming a proposal to expand their local, national and international relationships, while at the same time adopting a dramatically reduced budget to fund their ministries.
About 1,100 Virginia Baptists attended their annual meeting at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Va. (BGAV/Alice Rusher)
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At its annual meeting in the port city of Hampton, the Baptist General Association of Virginia also affirmed the importance of separation of church and state in American history, expressed support for immigration reform and opposed privatization of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control department.
In adopting recommendations of their Affinity Study Committee, Virginia Baptists committed themselves to “proactively seek out and invite our faith kin with shared missions-and-freedom callings to join us in affinity relationships” and to “expand our missions-and-freedom ministries deliberately and immediately, obediently and humbly.”
They also promised to “expand our missions-and-freedom research, identify our most creative affinities and embrace God’s surprises.” They acknowledged that will involve developing “even more agile and entrepreneurial leaders,” designing an “even more missions-oriented and flexible budget with quick access to funds for unanticipated mission-and-freedom opportunities” and developing governing structures that are “affinity-based and future-focused.”
The Affinity Study Committee was formed two years ago to develop a comprehensive response to the growing number of congregations from outside Virginia joining the BGAV. Many congregations are drawn by Virginia Baptists’ more moderate and flexible approach to missions and ministry in a process often described as affiliation by affinity rather than by geography.
BGAV officers for 2011 are (from left) Mark Croston, first vice president; Allen Jessee, second vice president; Fred Anderson, clerk; and Bob Bass, president. (BGAV/Alice Rusher)
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A handful of churches in adjacent West Virginia and North Carolina have long maintained BGAV affiliations. In the past 10 years, others from Georgia, South Carolina and Minnesota have joined them. Among the seven members of the study committee was a pastor of a BGAV-affiliated church in Hilton Head, S.C.
“One of the Affinity Study Committee’s early discoveries was that many of our beyond-Virginia members of the General Association aligned with us because of the quality and flexibility of our mission ministries,” the committee said in its report.
Virginia Baptists will “look for affinity partners at every crossroads of divine calling,” the committee report said. “We will channel our efforts specifically on missions and evangelism, church planting and congregational growth, disaster recovery and compassion ministries, and leadership development for God’s new world.”
Messengers adopted the report Nov. 10 without discussion or apparent opposition. At a breakout session the day before attended by about 50 people, comments were largely supportive.
Reduced budget
Expansion of BGAV ministries, however, may be stymied by the nation’s slow economic recovery, which has diminished financial contributions from Virginia Baptist churches. In response messengers adopted a 2011 budget of $13,350,000 — $650,000 less than the current $14 million budget.
“I’m presenting this budget on behalf of the budget committee with concern that churches need to understand the need to contribute as generously as possible in these difficult circumstances,” said budget committee chair Jim Slatton, a retired Richmond pastor.
BGAV treasurer Eddie Stratton has said he anticipates contributions from affiliated churches this year to fall far short of the $14 million goal. Total contributions likely will be anywhere from $12.8 million to $13 million, he said, and receipts in 2011 will be about the same.
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Robert Dilday is managing editor of the Virginia Baptist Religious Herald.
Related ABP stories:
Va. Baptists decry 'revisionist' history, elect lay president (Updated) (11/10/2010)
Affinity document could guide BGAV’s future (10/27/2010)