LUBBOCK, Texas (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas is a “work in progress,” according to newly elected President Ken Hall.
Hall, president of Buckner Baptist Benevolences in Dallas, was elected to the post by acclamation during the BGCT annual session in Lubbock Nov. 10.
Hall is the first institutional executive to hold the convention's presidency — a volunteer job — in 38 years. The founder of Buckner Benevolences, R.C. Buckner, served as BGCT president for 19 years in the early 20th century. The last institutional leader to hold the post was Abner McCall, then president of Baylor University.
Buckner is a massive social-service agency that operates several different benevolent institutions partially funded by Texas Baptists — including children's homes and retirement and nursing facilities.
Hall will serve alongside another institutional executive, Albert Reyes of the newly renamed Baptist University of the Americas, who was elected BGCT first vice president. Dennis Young, pastor of Missouri City Baptist Church near Houston, was elected second vice president. Young also is a past president of the BGCT's African American Fellowship.
Hall commended BGCT Executive Director Charles Wade's leadership and said he expects to follow it in guiding the convention. However, he acknowledged more change is likely in store for the BGCT as it reshapes itself to meet changing missions and ministry needs.
“My emphasis is talking about what we do well and not looking back on yesterday,” Hall said, in a news conference following his election.
Messengers to the 118th annual state convention meeting also adopted a $45.8 million budget for 2004 and approved a charter change allowing Hispanic Baptist Theological School to change its name to Baptist University of the Americas.
Next year's budget is a 10 percent decrease from the 2003 total. The Cooperative Program portion of the budget — $39.77 million — is a 14 percent drop from the 2003 giving goal of $46,243,902, but it is in line with projected income for this year, according to David Nabors, BGCT treasurer and chief financial officer.
During the convention, newly elected WorldconneX leader Bill Tinsley presented his vision for the developing missions network, saying the enterprise is “between a dream and a prayer.”
Messengers to the 2002 BGCT annual meeting approved the creation of WorldconneX as a separate not-for-profit affiliate of the BGCT to “help churches, associations, institutions and individuals fulfill their missions calling through both short-term and long-term missions endeavors across the United States and the world.”
“We do not intend to duplicate traditional mission sending agencies or to compete with anyone. Whatever shapes that may take, WorldconneX's task will remain true to the dreams and visions God sends and to prayers for his leadership,” Tinsley said.
During the convention, representatives of the National Baptist Convention of Mexico joined Texas Baptist leaders in signing a formal agreement authorizing a working relationship between the BGCT and Mexico Baptists.
Gilberto Gutierrrez, president of the National Baptist Convention of Mexico, and other officers of the Mexico convention affirmed the partnership covenant. Immediate goals are for the Texas and Mexico Baptists to work together in evangelism, church planting, missions, leadership development, meeting human needs and prayer strategies.
In other business, messengers approved a motion by Robert Creech, pastor of Houston's University Baptist Church, instructing the BGCT Christian Education Coordinating Board to “evaluate fully” the implications of Houston Baptist University's fraternal relationship with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. The process will clarify the BGCT relationship with the university, including future funding levels, and report its findings to the BGCT Executive Board by May 2004.
The convention also gave final approval to a constitutional amendment allowing BGCT-affiliated institutions to elect 25 percent of their governing boards directly. The remaining three-fourths of each board will continue to be elected by messengers to the BGCT.
In his annual executive director's report to the convention, Wade affirmed the desire of individuals and churches wanting to “do missions and develop strategies in fresh ways” and who ask questions about the viability of denominational structures.
“Nothing has to be done just because it is what we have always done. We should ask questions about how what we do relates to our priorities and our passion,” Wade said.
Wade particularly called on Texas Baptists to support BGCT-affiliated universities and seminaries, to continue developing Bible study curriculum, and to support the adopted BGCT Cooperative Program giving plan.
The convention registered 2,582 voting messengers and 503 visitors, for a total of 3,085 registered attendees.
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