PRAGUE, Czech Republic (ABP) — Nearly 400 delegates to the Baptist World Alliance's annual gathering in Prague, Czech Republic, raised their voices in prayer and singing as the July 21-25 meeting began with a rousing worship service.
The three-day gathering enables Baptists representing many of the 214 national and regional Baptist groups that make up the BWA to gather for worship, fellowship, study and planning.
Chief among issues scheduled to come before the gathering is a report from the BWA Implementation Task Force. The panel was charged with determining how organizational changes recommended by an earlier study group called the 21st Century Committee would be implemented.
After hearing the task force's initial presentation, delegates had an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions. A follow-up session was held July 23, with a vote on the proposals scheduled for July 25.
Since the full Baptist World Congress meets only every fifth year, officials hoped that the process could be agreed upon in time for changes to be implemented by the next BWA Congress meeting in 2010 in Honolulu.
Specific recommendations for implementation initially included:
— The BWA General Council would remain unchanged.
— The size of the group's Executive Committee would be trimmed to 24 (six representatives selected by the regions, 15 at-large members, three BWA officials — general secretary, president and the treasurer).
— The nominating committee would have 17 members and recommend names from across the globe to the General Council.
— The number of global regions would be kept at six despite the disparity in geographical size and population. The six are North America, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East, Africa, and Asia and the Pacific Rim.
— Recognizing that resource potential differs from region to region, covenants would be developed for each region outlining mutual responsibility for supporting BWA and how regions may apply for grants for assistance.
Following the presentations on both days, lively discussions took place, with questions focusing primarily on constituency representations since each region would have only one official representative.
Other concerns expressed were over the method of member selection, regional autonomy and whether regions received preferential treatment based on their ability to contribute to the BWA budget.
A vocal Caribbean contingency raised questions about what impact the changes, if implemented, would have on the office of BWA General Secretary Neville Callam. Callam — the century-old organization's first non-white chief executive — was installed last year after many years of ministry in Jamaica.
A joint meeting of the BWA Doctrine and Interchurch Cooperation Commission and Freedom and Justice Commission is to take place to formulate a response to a letter from 138 Muslim scholars titled, "A Common Word Between Us and You." The letter was sent to world Christian leaders, including BWA President David Coffey, last October. Baptists who have experience in Islamic studies, or have lived in an Islamic country, will present papers on the question.
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