Over the past years, I have served as a trustee for the Executive Board of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Nominated by our Association and voted for by messengers at the annual meeting of the ABSC. Early in this tenure, I did not have a full understanding of the work and partnership of all the teams and agencies associated with the ABSC. Little did I know of the employees and their responsibilities to make sure our churches had the resources, encouragement, support, and training to conduct ministry in our local communities, state, nation, and around the world.
This experience allowed me to grow in appreciation for the leadership within our state convention. I also gained an understanding of the agencies and institutions partnered with ABSC. These include the Arkansas Baptist Foundation, Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries, and Camp Siloam. Along with Williams Baptist University and Ouachita Baptist University, Arkansas Baptists can cooperate in such a way to utilize each organization in their Christian focus and support of local churches and ministries.
In these past two years, I have had the privilege to serve this amazing Executive Board as Chair. This role allows me to be part of many of the meetings of the ABSC and agency boards. It also gave me the opportunity to meet and foster relationships with incredible leaders, pastors, and friends all over the state.
I have learned one of the most important aspects of the Executive Board. It is the individual members who represent all areas of Arkansas Baptists. We serve together as a united board but also represent the voice of our local churches and associations. Each trustee on the Executive Board participates in the important work of the ABSC. This includes oversight of the teams of the ABSC in partnership with the Executive Director. When the Arkansas Baptist Convention Annual Meeting is not in session, the decision making and oversight falls to your Executive Board. It is this board that reviews financial reports quarterly. This board approves employment of ABSC Team leadership and BCM Directors. It is this board that recommends annual Team goals and budgets to the Convention messengers every year. The Executive Board carries immense value to ensure members of the churches of Arkansas Baptists have a relationship and partnership with the ABSC. For this reason, everyone needs to understand each Arkansas Baptist church can have a voice. According to the new Bylaws of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, the Executive Board is comprised of a member from each of the cooperating Associations in Arkansas, with additional members available according to the membership totals as stated in the Bylaws. The Board also must have a female representative from each of the eight geographical districts in Arkansas.
The number of members represented is based upon each local church submitting the Annual Church Profile. Your church and your voice can take part in the actions of the Executive Board. Trustees of the Board are comprised of members of these participating churches. Associational Missionaries and pastors recommend nominees.
I encourage each church to make sure your Annual Church Profile (ACP) is completed and submitted. Some may say the numbers of attendance and financial reports do not really matter or change what happens in the local church. However, your church has a voice in the work of the ABSC. You can have a voice in the conversation of Cooperative Program dollars, Dixie Jackson budgets, ABSC Team Goals, and how your CP and Arkansas CP dollars are used for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Join us by submitting your church’s ACP.