SAN DIEGO (ABP) — Adoption of a reduced 2004 budget, re-establishment of a resolutions committee and an assortment of motions highlighted the 63rd California Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.
Held in San Diego Nov. 18-19, the convention drew 610 messengers, the smallest number since 1956.
The major difference in the $10.7 million budget, which is $500,000 less than 2003, is the reallocation of 3 percent from the Southern Baptist Convention to ministries of the California convention. If the budget goal is reached, the SBC will receive $1,986,667.
In lieu of resolutions — which were eliminated by an earlier convention — messengers presented motions requesting the state convention's executive director and president to send letters expressing concern or support, most dealing with marriage and homosexuality. The letters were addressed to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, President George W. Bush, the Episcopal Church and the 10 largest newspapers in California.
As a result of considerable debate about wording of the letters, Ron Wilson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Thousand Oaks, made a motion to reinstate the resolutions committee. “There has been a lot of spirited debate during this convention. Much of the discussion that has gone on here could have gone on in the committee and then brought to the convention.”
The motion re-establishing the resolutions committee passed.
In other business, Wayne Stockstill, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hesperia, was re-elected by acclamation to a second one-year term as convention president. Dudley Bristow of First Baptist Church of Irvine/Tustin, who was serving as second vice president, was elected first vice president. Don Conley, pastor of Encanto Southern Baptist Church in San Diego, and John Montgomery, associate pastor and minister of music at Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland, both were elected by acclamation to serve as second vice president and music director respectively.
The 2004 CSBC annual meeting is slated for Nov. 9-10 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland.
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