Executive Board Meeting August 21, 2018 Loyal Baptist Church, Danville, Virginia

Transcription

1 Executive Board Meeting August 21, 2018 Loyal Baptist Church, Danville, Virginia President Whitfield: To those of you who are newly appointed and elected officers of the VBSC, we want to say welcome and thank you for being here for your travels in coming. I want to ask the Vice President at Large Dr. Brandon to lead us in a word of prayer. Afterwards, our devotional meditation will be led by our Third Vice President, Pastor Matthew Brown. President Whitfield: We extend expressions of appreciative to God for Pastor Emmet Young, and the Loyal Baptist Church for their hospitableness, we are appreciative for their hospitality this morning. Prayer by Dr. Brandon, Vice President at Large Devotional Message, Rev. Matthew Brown This is Not What I Expected Acts 3:1-6 Reading of the Minutes from last gathering Dr. Tyron D. Williams, recording secretary The president asked for a motion to accept the previous meeting's minutes. A motion was so-moved by, and second by Dr. Waddell Jones. Correction was by President of WMEBA: The night of the installation, the women s officers names were read but not recorded in the minutes. President Whitfield, prompted by her correction, requested that ministry leaders and auxiliaries would the President and Sis. Donna Dillard an updated list of current leadership rooster. One observation - Laymen was also missing but a new update was sent to the President. President asked that we received and adopt the minutes by continuing the motion. The motion was carried by the signs of Aye. There were none that opposed. President Whitfield: The auditor (Rev. Tonya Spruill) has resigned therefore prompting the need for a new auditor for the convention. The floor was opened for recommendations by the President, in which he clarified the need for whoever filled the position to possess math skills and commitment to the Convention. The following names was given for recommendation: Pastor Herbert Woodson and Rev. Jessica Berger. Bro. Mervin Brown shared that the auditor is needed twice a year, usually before the annual session and the mid-year. He also stated that a meeting is usually set up between treasurer and assistant treasurer for transition of any documents or any forms that is needed. The president stated the need for more diversity, entertained a motion for Rev. Jessica Berger, Associate Minister of New Free Spring Baptist Church, to become the auditor. She has shared with the president that she was willing to help in any way she s needed. It was motioned by Dr. Darien Brandon and second by Rev. Matthew Brown. The motion was accepted, second and moved to discussion all in favor was moved to say aye and all opposed same privilege. The "ayes" have it and the motion were carried and is adopted. The question was asked if an assistant is needed. President Whitfield responded that an assistant was not needed at this time, since there was not one before. President Whitfield: It is requested that when ministry status reports are given that they were not to be longer than four minutes since written reports should have been provided, which aid to expedite the reporting time. VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 1 of 15

2 Our Website K&R Communications has been working to get our website up, running and perfected. The last thing we submitted were the pictures from the last annual session. There was a hope to have a sample for the board s testing but it was not yet ready. The desire is to have the website interactive so that things such as buying lunch tickets, so that pre-registrations can be easier, and tags with information available for each ministry. New Churches Churches are joining for the purpose of getting help to be strengthen in their administration. Once they join they are looking for specific help, for example, in the areas of leadership development and youth ministry. I was able to contact Rev. Jessica Freeman and she was able to provide them with what they needed in order to assist them in redeveloping their youth ministry. Another church requested help with administration and was directed to Sheldon Burke. So, whatever resources a church needs, we can make the information available on the website available for their use. We cannot ignore the fact that many of our churches within the convention are smaller churches. Not many have more than 600 members that regularly attend. My desire is that we help to serve churches just because they are small is no reason for them not to be strong. Our Budget In talking with our treasurer, Tamera McBride, one of the things that the convention does not have is a budget. It is my desire for the convention to move toward an organizational budget. But it is difficult when the convention doesn t have any money. There are churches who pledge to be Macedonian churches, but only give once or twice. We need the churches of which our leaders on the executive board to become Macedonian churches so that the convention can be financially fluid and provide the financial support that will enable us to establish a budget and secure our future. Election Committee It is needed for this committee to come to task and move forward. The members of this committee are Kevin White, Dr. Leroy Hill, Rev. Tonya Spruill (needs to be replace because of resignation), Dr. Sheldon Murray, Dr. Pauline Hutchinson, Sister Linda Goode, Bro. Howard Ingram, Rev. Charles Calloway, Sr., and Rev. Emmett Young. Since Bro. Howard Ingram and Rev. Charles Calloway were on the committee representing the moderators, the question was raised by the president as to whether they needed to be replaced, or if Bro. Ron Brown was familiar enough to carry the task? The moderator responded that Bro. Ron Brown was familiar enough to carry out the task. The goal of the election committee is to lay out a process whereby the process of election is clear, in writing and available for the delegation allowing every election to be run the same way. The person who replaces Rev. Spruill needs to be someone who understands the process. Suggestions for the replacement for this position were solicited. Sis. Linda Goode asked wouldn t the new auditor step in for the same roll Rev. Jessica Berger. The President stated that Rev. Spruill was not automatically placed, but volunteered for the position. VP Brown suggested that someone. Rev. Preston Tyler was recommended and suggested that??? reach out to get his approval to be considered for the position. Brochure We had reached out some time ago for a brochure of the VBSC. This also will require some level of rebranding. Luther Allen is someone that I would like to task along with a couple of other individuals to provide a picturesque display of what the VBSC look like and be uploaded to the website to be available to churches (old & new). Luther Allen agreed to take on the task. Vice President Brown asked if we had a media company to do it in a professional manner. President Whitfield recommended using the people who printed the Souvenir books for the Annual Session to do the work in response to media need at a good price. New Churches are asking leadership guidance so if I call on your area, I would like for ministry leaders to task them with the responsibility of providing service to that church, such as VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 2 of 15

3 developing laymen in the church, home missions, pastors, or training for women. It is not a paid assistance, we do it for the calling but this will enable us to help churches when they call with training. It is about churches being able to reach out to the Convention for help. We must make ourselves available to help them when and where needed. The timing is right for this now. The New Constitutional Change We no longer have regional Vice Presidents, but I still want to assign a Vice Presidents to a region because pastors still need some type of accountability as well as help when churches have problems and want representation from the Convention. Vice President Brandon will assign and appoint Vice Presidents to regions within their proximity. VP Brown asked if we had an official map of regions. President Whitfield stated that VP Jones put together a map of the region about six years ago which included associations. Vice President Jones said it would be updated and provided for the Vice Presidents and moderators. Lott Carey President Whitfield and Sis. Goode (WMBEA) attended the Lott Carey in August. Lott Carey is rebranding. Dr. David Emanuel Oakley, Executive Secretary Treasurer resigned and will serve in a capacity at Duke University. They have a new president and are in transition in a major way. They had a major discussion on how they are going to rebrand and re-approach how they do missions and how they lead so that in fifty years they will still be relevant, including putting great young minds in leadership positions. They are looking at a twenty-five-year picture to move the organization forward. We need to do the same thing. They provided a Power Point presentation that revealed what the needs were in a very clear manner suggesting great things are on the horizon with their rebranding. National Baptist Convention Beginning September 3, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We encourage leaders to go and represent what it is you do within VBSC so that you can get your ministry in touch with things on a national level to move succinctly and together. Macedonian Churches I mentioned earlier that one of the things that was asked of leaders to do if you are going to lead is to become a Macedonian Church. If your association is strong and can afford, we are encouraging moderators of associations and their member churches to become Macedonian supporters. It is good to see Dr. Echols, who is present although he didn t inform me that three years is not long enough when you don t have a clear plan whereby you transition. Our sister convention (BGC) has an Executive Secretary that helps to keep the operation fluid and flowing. In this way, it doesn t matter who is president, the organization structure stays and remains fluid in its direction. The one constant blessing that has benefited the convention is Bro. Mervin Brown and Sis. Tamera McBride who have been in position with the change of leadership. Therefore, if we have a vested interest in the Macedonia plan now, it will help us with continuity in the future. Question to the body by the President: How can we in a very practical way speak as one voice in regards to what the VBSC is, and what it does. How can we begin to speak in one voice as its modus operandi of the convention? So that when ministry leaders (WMBEA, Laymen, etc.) speak, you can clearly see it reflects the message or theme of the Convention. There is a noticeable new surge of synergy but it needs to happen on purpose rather than on accident. The following statement was made by a board member: Mr. President, under the NBC, Dr. Young gives out a generic theme and all the ministries focus and build their ministry on that theme based on what Dr. Young sees for the convention. I believe that the state can follow that same method. Once you give us the theme and the ministries build on that concentrate on that theme, then the concept would be the same universally and we can focus the information back to the president. VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 3 of 15

4 The president agreed and that s something that every president that I can remember, has done even back to Dr. Robert Jones whose whole mantra was Erring in Hurt, and Holding up the Arms of Moses and Dr. A. Lincoln James Excellence Without Excuse. That s programmatic, but I m speaking in terms of structurally and organizationally. But how do we as leaders sing from the same sheet of music because we have the same hymnbook? A Board Member? stated: With conference style of Deacon D. Miller, when we go with our theme based on what you have put out for the convention. We are trying to do that. So, when we have our sessions, our scripture and preaching is off the president s theme. A further statement was made by a different Board member: Mr. President, as I listen, I wondering if our actual commission of our convention, if we do have one should be the driving force or the synergy stating clearly, what we are, who we are and why we gather, the purpose so that everything else, even with the theme everybody knows when we gather. I thinking if all us internalize what that is and knowing why we come and why we exist would be a part of that. President Whitfield stated: The reason why the VBSC exists in the first place is for the purpose of home and foreign missions, social justice, impact and change, and for the purpose of empowering our churches. The constitutional document we read and live by now, the first paragraph expresses that. But you are saying is that we need to continue to make it clear and have what our mission is as the overarching theme/purpose. Dr. Williams if I may, if we have a clear vision and a mission and then individual objectives on to how we are going to obtain the mission; wouldn t it be feasible each department or organization within the VBSC set up based upon meeting the overall vision, mission and objectives. In other words, at my church, if our vision is to make disciples and our mission then is to reach out into the community to those who are unsaved and unchurched. Then our objectives define and explains how we are going to get there? What are we going to do in order to meet that mission that is tied to the vision? So, if we have a clear vision and mission of the parent body, then all of those under that should not be doing anything that is not connected to or correlates to the overall vision and mission of the VBSC. Then once its submitted to the apparent body as to what they are going to do, then they have a road map to what they are doing individually to help the VBSC attain its overall vision and mission. President s response to comments given: It s not that I think the Laymen, WMBEA, Foreign Missions are nilly-willy, and wandering aimlessly. But what happens sometimes the mission of what they auxiliary/ministries of what they are doing gets lost and there is no connection between the parent body and what we do to put us all on the same sheet of music. They have their objectives that they are accomplishing, but again it has to flow out of the VBSC. The Convention shall support home and foreign missions, Christian education, ministerial relief, social justice and collaboration with other Christian organizations to promote and advance the kingdom of God. That is our mission. That is what we do. Then we have objectives, which are: Children s home, VUL and other Baptist institutions that our constitutions states. So, I think that there has to be a synergy of all of it so that a fresh fire can be ignited. Rev. Luther Allen: I think there needs to be a focus on the definition of advancing the kingdom of God. What in the 21 st century context qualifies as advancing the kingdom of God and define those terms. Once you define what advancing the kingdom consist of, then you can perhaps not as effective in advancing the kingdom of God. In terms of advancing the kingdom of God, Christian Education in growing disciples. If we are talking about finances to do missions, tangible resources. It s one thing to say it, it s another thing to have VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 4 of 15

5 some clearly define language that a person can buy into. So that s what really at the core. If you say who we are and what we do what we do is advance the kingdom of God. So that s what we are called to do. So, we are saying it in several ways but it s really around your language. What language are you going to use to describe what you do? If that is our core nugget that we want to grab hold of then it becometh upon the rest of the body to see how the laymen (women, home missions and foreign missions) are advancing the kingdom of God? How are our clergy going to participate in advancing the kingdom of God? And if we can line it up that way, we can perhaps speak the same language. Bro. Mervin Brown: I know we talked about the laymen and the women but they are connected in a different way. You are getting people at those conventions who may not know. We get that question a lot. You are an auxiliary under the umbrella of the parent body. President Whitfield: The same thing with the BTU conference. As time goes on, I don t think it s merely a spirit of rebellion whereby these auxiliaries feel as though they are operating on their own. I think another piece to it is a lack of information and a lack of communication in terms of connectivity (How they are connected to the parent body). There have been leaders who have led these organizations who never took the time to point the auxiliaries (ushers, BTU) back to the VBSC. There has to be a connection. There is no way the women can be the WMBEA without the VBSC. The same with laymen, foreign missions, ushers, etc. without the VBSC. There has to be a connectivity and working. The moderators are able to operate the way they do because of their connection. There has to be a moving to putting everything back on the same page. How we do that we have to practically line that out. Children s Home - Dr. Brandon, VP at Large Dr. Brandon - I will share the report that was sent to be by Rev. Spurlock. I can t answer any questions other than what s printed on the report. I will just read the report. (Report provided at meeting). Some may not know that Dr. Cobb suffered a stroke a while ago, which speaks to his returning in a modified capacity. President asked for any questions. A question was asked can the name of the Children s Home be changed. President Whitfield responded by saying This is the wrong meeting. There has been some conversation but it hasn t been fruitful. In addition to the name, you must look at the charter. President Whitfield asked for the names on the Children s Home Board and the following were mention: Luther Allen, Ray Covington, Dr. Antoinette Walker, Jimmy Walker, and Bruce Jones. The president brought to question the number of seats we have on the Board. There is a total of ten spots on the board. BGC has five, and VBSC has five. Mervin Brown reported that in the past it was ten seats each for the VBSC and BGC but now the VBSC has five seats on the Board and the BGC has five seats. He also mentioned that appointed apparent body leader, Jimmy Walker is still a member of the board. President submitted that Jimmy Walker was appointed as his liaison on the Children s Board and never removed it, stating his name was the only one submitted by him. Also brought to question, was Dr. Allen still a board member. Bro. Brown mentioned that at Founder s Day, he saw his name listed but could be mistaken. Sis. Goode mentioned Dr. Antoinette Walker being a member of the board and it was clarified that she is. Herbert Anderson s name was mention but it stated by Bro. Brown, he is not on the board. Sis. Goode also mention Amanda Murray, but the President share she is a part of BGC. VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 5 of 15

6 Bro. Brown read the listing that has not been updated in over a year: Aretha, Rev. Joseph A. Fleming, Raymond Covington, Jacqueline Goldstein, Hopkins, Bruce Jones, Brenda Lewis, Amanda Murray, Margret Hanns, Edwin Waddell, and Stephen. President requested that Bro. Allen check on the activity of the five board members. President Whitfield asked who did not get the concerning submitting reports and about the meeting. He restated that the length of reports should be no longer than four minutes. Reports of Vice Presidents: Dr. D. Tyrone Brandon, VP-at-Large I have served at the will of the President by attending all association meetings. I do want to send an invitation, Dr. Jones, to the Moderator s Division on behalf of National Baptist Convention on which I serve as Vice President, your presence is needed on the national level because they are looking to connect with Virginia and keep Virginia part of the leadership team for the NBC. Week after neck when the convention convenes in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dr. Whine is looking for some representatives from the VBSC. Our president preached last year and they are looking to keep that momentum going. Dr. Kevin White, 1 st Vice President Not in attendance, on vacation. Dr. Brandon stated that he has been attending the associations in the region and representing our convention as well as attendance at the BGC. Dr. Waddell Jones, 2 nd Vice President Mr. President, I have had the pleasure of representing this convention at the Hasadiah Baptist Association, Rockfish Baptist Association, as well as the Peaks of Otter Association during their annual session meetings. I was keynote speaker at the Hasadiah and Rockfish Baptist Associations where their meeting were fabulous. I will continue the pleasure of support to you and the VBSC. As far as our report coming from our parliamentarian, he is in the hospital, therefore we will update that report and give it to you as soon as possible with our constitutional changes. God bless you and may heaven continue to smile upon you. Rev. Matthew L. Jones, 3 rd Vice President Good morning, once again, Mr. President, I had the privilege of attending the State Convention of the Unified Shiloh Association, Smith River Association, BTU Congress and supported our President as he preached at the BGC. I had the opportunity to give remarks on behalf of the VBSC at Dinwiddie Middle School, sponsored by the United Churches in Dinwiddie. I will be attending the National Baptist Convention next month and Otter River Association. I did miss about two weeks, I spent a couple of days in the hospital and home with pneumonia. Thank you for your prayers as you reached out. Once again, I am humbled and honored to serve. President Whitfield asked Dr. Brandon to attend a meeting for him on Monday at 11 AM for convention presidents. Because of conflict in his schedule with his wife s family reunion, I have been unable to get a late flight without having to drive four hours to get there in time for the meeting at 11a.m.. I will forward you the documentation for the meeting. These vice presidents have been wonderful and splendid not only in their support, but their participation, and I do appreciate them so much by giving of their time, talent and treasure to support our state convention as well as this president. Thank you again Pastor Young and the great Loyal Baptist Church for your hospitality in accepting us and receiving us and ask that you bless the food and give us any instructions as needed. If you are eating lunch and have not done so, see Sis. Donna and Sis. Linda at the table to arrange for your meal. VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 6 of 15

7 MID-YEAR SESSION: President Whitfield MEETING PAUSED FOR LUNCH November 13 th -14 th, 2018, Good Shepherd Baptist Church has consented to host the session. Bishop Jeffrey L. Reeves, Pastor, 2223 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia, Lodging/Mervin Brown Hampton Inn Hotel, 403 Rosalyn Road, next to Walmart. The rate for the convention is $ a night. Our group code is VBS. New Churches/Mervin Brown A lot of inquiry for new churches to join VBSC. Just within the last few weeks, Mount Bethel Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, and Christian View Baptist Church in Spencer, VA has joined VBSC. If you remember, we have several new members to the parent body. They are joining and we get the question asked: Why should I join VBSC? What are you going to do? This has been one thing that I talked to the President about and we are going to try and utilize some of what the National Baptist Convention format. If you go on their website, it says, benefits of registering with the National Baptist Convention. So, we can utilize something like that on our website and actually part of it is having a brochure ready that gives a little background and including telling them what it is we do. The election and voting are part of the benefits how many votes you get?, what is the election process?, all which will be spelled out in the brochure. We are growing as a convention. We just had two members in the last two weeks join and receiving a lot of questions that include wanting to be an officer but you have to be a member to be an officer. Update Constitutional Changes: President Whitfield: The report will be given once we get the constitutional changes. I really don t want to wait to start working on the changes at the Mid-Year session because it will be about empowerment. Mid-Year Session Continued: Our guest for the Mid-Year as lecturer will be Dr. Sir Walter Mack, Union Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC. He has really become an expert in the idea of transformational discipleship. He has consented to come and will share both days. Our format will be slightly different, but I want the body to leave energized and empowered during the session. Treasurer s Report: Sis. Tamara McBride The treasurer s report is for January to present (8/21/18). Our total deposits for the 2018, 151 st Annual Session were $101, The expenditures were $66, The current balances as of today in our checking account is $15,818.00, and the savings account is $16, For a total of $31, We will be receiving a reimbursement from Double Tree by Hilton for $6, That will take place and sent to us by the 24 th of August. President Whitfield: The day to day operations of the convention is a lot of work and these are the individuals who are behind the scenes: Bro. Mervin Brown, Sis. Tamara McBride, Sis. Donna and Sis. Linda. I certainly appreciate them. Before the summer we had a high school intern that was working in the convention s office. They were coming as a class assignment (no pay) and once school year ended, we were able to get a college student (intern) to work in the state convention office, Shanta Moore. She will soon be going back to Randolph University. She has been working in the office basically updating the data base and making sure the registrations on paper match what is in the system. Hopefully it will all help us in the future. We were able to use a new blasting system but in merging systems together, we must make sure it all work together. As President, I appreciate all those who work behind the scene to make the convention work. We were interviewing this week, two persons to work in the convention headquarters now that our college student will be leaving. We are hoping by the end of the week, we are able to decide on the VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 7 of 15

8 best possible candidate so the convention s office will be filled. It is a lot of work to keep us all synergized and united on one accord ANNUAL SESSION: President Whitfield Chesapeake, Virginia, May 13-18, We haven t finalized the paperwork, but I believe we are going in the next couple of weeks for that purpose. We will be at the Chesapeake Conference Center, although I really wanted to be able to have everything under one roof. The Delta Marriott is next door to the Conference Center and reconfigured to house everything under one roof, however, they are not available on that Thursday. Therefore, we will have to go to the Conference Center that Tuesday for the banquet and then we will have to go the Conference on Thursday because they could not house us. I did not want to do that because my executive board will think I don t know what I am doing hopping back and forth from place to place so we are going to do everything at the Conference Center other than sleep and our room will be at the Delta Marriott. Once we send that information out, get your rooms on time (know what day you are coming and leaving when making reservations). This will keep the hotel from putting someone out because of wrong information (which happened at our last session due to no fault of the hotel). The information should be in the newsletter once they are sent out. President Whitfield called for reports, requesting four minutes time and asking each individual to provide their name and office before the report for the new recording secretary. Reports Provided at Executive Meeting: Children s Home of Virginia Baptist Dr. Brandon, Vice President at Large, report provided Women s Missionary and Educational Auxiliary Sis. Linda Goode, President, report provided Deacons and Deaconess Auxiliary Deacon Marvin Jones, New Free Spring Baptist Church, 2 nd Vice President, reporting on behalf of the President, Deacon Danny Miller. Christian Education Rev. Luther S. Allen, III, Asst. Director, Christian Education reporting for State Director, Dr. Jeffrey Guns who was unable to attend because of a funeral. I want to reference back to the minutes that were shared earlier regarding the performance at the state convention. The facts were well received. We had 160 people who enrolled in classes and we made a diligently effort to make sure that all the classes were certified by the National Baptist Convention, USA. What this does it allows us to give course cards so our constituents can work towards certification. I want to make sure we do this for workshops provided by the state. With the registration process, we can know before time what classes the person is registered for during the annual session. You also look at the website and plug in that registration as well. Rev. Allen: One of the things we have coming up next month, in the Northern Neck area where Pastor Tyron Williams pastors Northern Neck Rappahannock River Regional Church Conference equipping the rural church for growth. The dates are September 14-15, 2018 at Macedonia Baptist Church (Class information attached). There will be five main classes presented, and one joint session for all attendees. The idea is to go and share with our rural churches. We have worked closely with Dr. Tyron Williams. If anyone is interested in making their way in that area, hotel information is available for you. Dr. Williams: We have reached out to the 33 member churches of the Northern Neck Association soliciting their support and attendance, as well as the Deacon s Auxiliary of the Association. I spoke with the person who provides the training for the Deacon s Auxiliary and we are looking for them to use this session for their monthly training session because there is a great misunderstanding of what the roles are between the pastor and diaconate. We all are dealing with growing the rural church in that area. We are looking to get some insight on the things we need to do as a church body to reach out into the community and identify those things that are important to meet the needs VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 8 of 15

9 of our church and community. Some of the registration is being done on line and we looking forward to having certified instructors to come and help us build the kingdom of God. Rev. Allen: We are looking forward to Christian Education enhancing the footprint of the VBSC. Over the past few years, we have been able to go to the various regions to hold classes and sessions which have made an impact. We ask that you send your leaders that you know need training and by all means if there is information that you want to have shared at your local church, you can give that information to Dr. Guns, in order for us to sit down and plan for what you need. We are looking forward to connecting with the BTU Congress so that we are on the same page and we can actually have a session where all of our constituents can come together on one week in the year and have some time to grow and learn. President Whitefield the classes at the annual session for 2019, I have really given a lot of thought to changing the format we introduce this year where we had the classes spilt in the morning and some in the afternoon. I am looking at, when we do the classes, having the mornings geared to that outside of day for the women. For example, if we start class on Tuesday morning at 7 AM, maybe not starting the opening session until 10 AM. I am not a this is the way we did it last year kind of guy. So, I am looking at giving a consistent block of time to Christian Education. It will take time to figure out because there are some things you don t want to uproot. It was stated by an executive board member that it did get a little confusing during the session at one point. Concerning the workshop in the Northern Neck, I spoke with the moderator (Dr. Cain). She has a concern that VBSC hasn t had much visibility in the Northern Neck area, and therefore constituent churches will have some confusion thinking that this is a BGC event. I tried to convey to her that we are not in competition, we are just trying to help churches grow. She then stated that she would not help fund the event. She was reminded that we didn t ask her to fund the event, we are just working to make an impact and a difference in the lives of those in the churches. She concluded that she would attended revealing her allegiance to the BGC and not wanting to dissuade others from BGC. I reminded her that VBSC and BGC are co-laborers, not competitors about the same work. Therefore, we will be praying for Dr. Williams in that area. We must be committed that when we show up, we make a good footprint. Laymen Auxiliary Bro. Benjamin A. Myrick, III, Providence Baptist Church, Prince George, VA - You have our report, but we heard the idea of rebranding and we have sort of lost our way we are going to come forth with a new branding model focusing on men s ministry more so than laymen, mirroring it with the association in order that we may have more participation. (report provided). We have some goals and objectives (on report). We are looking to entice the younger men to come in. The Laymen Movement is about Men s Ministry. We will have a more precise report of the associations, now that I have a complete listing along with phone numbers to formulate a more complete Men s ministry/laymen movement, so we can get more men involved in the men s ministry. The Southeast region is coming up, which is part of several states (NC, SC, VA, GA and FL). Each year we have a region conference. This year it will be in Myrtle Beach, SC and we are asking for your support. I did send a flyer to Sis. Dillard reflecting the dates on the website. If you can attend, we will appreciate it. I have been designated to be the banquet speaker on that Saturday night, and I would like to see some Virginia people in the house to support the Virginia region of the Laymen s Movement. Bro. Graves and I, will be in Minnesota, Labor Day week. Bro. Graves, Southeast region president, also serves on the National staff with one of the regional presidents. I will be teaching a class in Minnesota and we are looking for a high time there. President Whitfield: As it relates to the Walter Cade Workshop, I would like us, as leaders, to support the Walter Cade workshop. If I can get the information on Walter Cade, we will send it out VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 9 of 15

10 so you can take a look at it to see how you can get your men and/or churches involved. I want to avail myself to come because I want to support you along with possibly the head of my men s ministry. Bro. Myrick also spoke on rebranding, and we have been in deep conversation about their level of rebranding because at the end of the day, our churches are not buying into the laymen in terms of how their name is laid out. We are hoping to make some propositions to the laymen body and then to the executive board as to how we can be more inviting to the local churches. Usher s Fellowship Auxiliary: Bro. Roosevelt Morrison, President, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, reporting. (report provided). This being my last meeting, I thank each of you for your support during my reign as president. As I leave, you are in my hometown, Danville and if there is anything I can help you with, let me know. President Whitfield provide an update to our Children s Home Report. There was some more money given toward the Founder s Day initiative. They actually raise $62,000 for the Children s Home. To God be the Glory. Sunday School/BTU Kevin Northam, newly elected president to the Sunday School and BTU Congress of Virginia. I greet you and excited since being in this position for 28 days and it has been a rewarding experience. I have not submitted an official report that is included in our packets today because this is my first executive board meeting and I wanted to see the format. However, we will be having an official report and it will be inclusive. BTU Congress just concluded its annual session and we had in attendance 165 individuals including 55 youth. We had our 118 th Annual Session at Virginia State University. At the conclusion of our sessions, we are able to give donations to the following organizations: Children s Home of VBSC, in excess of $11,000; VBSC Missions, Lott Carey Foreign Mission, and Virginia University at Lynchburg. I also want to report that today, we have three of the leaders of the Sunday School and BTU Congress that are present here. Leadership includes, 1 st Vice-President, Rev. Matthew Brown and the Chairman of the Board, Rev. Dr. Howard Heard. We had the opportunity to attend, address and appeal one of the 13 associations in the last 28 days and parenthetically, just to let you know, that one of the moderators are here and to be fair, we started in alphabetical order and we will get to the remaining twelve. Our efforts under the new leadership is intentional ministry and these are our three priorities: 1) to solidify and substitute the appointed leadership, that includes dean, chair and field workers, etc. 2) strategized the location which will subsidized the cost which will strengthen the attendance and lastly 3) synergized which means to combine and coordinate the activity of two or more agents to produce a joint effect that is greater than the sum of separate effects. That is our endeavor, which is to synergized within the VBSC, as the primarily educational arm and auxiliary of this great convention. A question was brought about concerning statement under first priority and about the Dean. President Whitfield stated the Dean is Claude and we have two separate deans: one for the Convention and one for the Congress. It was also stated that we adopted the CLS manual as the operating document for Christian Education, so I would ask that you check your efforts against the CLS manual as to how they say we are to set up the Christian Education piece. Brother Northam stated that he had already considered that and is well aware of that information as well as the dean who will operate in that capacity. President Whitfield stated that he wants to see Christian education operate with the CLS manual however that s not the only document and course work we can use to operate the Congress. There may be some youth teacher training that may not be addressed in the manual or no one VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 10 of 15

11 qualified to teach therefore, I would suggest that the CLS manual not be the only document we use. I do want to assure that the Congress is fully functional with the CLS school. Dr. Allen commented: One of the things that we have dealt with as the state department of Christian education is that ideally with a week block of time set aside for Christian education, the BTU Sunday School Congress should be the culminating Christian education event for our convention, annually. It should be what the VBSC points it constituents to for Christian education training. For the most part for the last few years we have been doing Christian education guerilla warfare style, going and doing what we can. But with everything, when you talk about synergy, should be pushing our associations and churches toward attending the Congress, understanding that when they attend the Congress, they are going to receive, not just CLS training but also received whatever other information they need. That s really the concern. The idea of having to do Christian education piecemeal in comparison to Southeast region, the way Christian education is done across the nation, our Congress s work in conjunction with our conventions, and for the most part of the last few years (I can only speak to since I ve been here), it has not worked that way. In the efforts of synergized, we can begin to look at this because it is critical. We want to be able to say, when I go and do a workshop for the Northern Neck, we are satisfied and they say this is great, what can we do? I will be able to say to the church, put some time on your calendar and make your way to the Congress this summer and our Congress has a full week set aside for Christian education. Let us know what you want to take, we can plan those courses and not just that but we can engage with the youth as well. That s the rebranding you are talking about. It s about having a solidified, synergized approach about how we conduct with Christian education and everything else on behalf of our denominational constituents. Bro. Northam: In our closing meeting and Dr. Guns was present with us, this discussion came up and one of the things I reminded Dr. Guns of was when Dr. Barbara Brehon was serving as dean, the Sunday school and BTU was actually conducting both CLS and those areas of concentration, so it can be done because it s been done before. So, I think we will be able to accomplish what your intent and desires are. An executive board member asked: Which one of the bodies offer the COP program? Bro. Northam: As for as the Convention and Congress? Well, eventually both will because the convention has already started offering it. I mentioned before the Congress had offered so ultimately, both and we are going to combine not only COP, Christian Leadership CLS courses but also those things that are relative to Baptist churches and again that falls under the intent of our president. President Whitfield: Who all in here do we need to move toward credentialing to begin to help teach. Dr. Allen: Any person who is interested in becoming a certified instructor any pastor who has complete seminary, if you are interested in becoming a certified instructor, all is needed is that you submit your transcript to Nashville and you can become certified to teach, and most of the pastors here are qualified to teach the training. As for as the certification for the dean piece, there is an expedited program that is offered in Nashville in December. It used to be you had to go through the steps of taking four separate courses for the deanship but you can go and expedite the process. But there are some things you have to do on the front as far as preliminaries to become deans. Right now, we have about four of five persons who are dean candidates, including myself. And so, as we look at this, I m excited because we are speaking the same language. And we want to be able to say that Certificate of Progress Program (COPP) will be offered at our Congress this year. VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 11 of 15

12 An executive board member stated: The reason why I asked is because my certification is pending. I teach up at the Congress of Christian Education under the? seminar. I have to go back to the state congress to finish the work. That s why I am asking who s going to offer that so that I can get into the program so I can finalize what I need. I need to do the whole program to get certified through the state congress first, so I can submit every thing to the national office, so certification can be completed. Dr. Allen: So, as it stands right now, you would have to submit your information to the department of Christian Education. Bro. Northam: Also, of the five mention as pending deans, three of those individuals are identified and two of the those individuals as potentials will positioned as the Dean of BTU and Sunday School. Dr. Whitfield: My dream is to see the Congress come back and to experience the collaboration of both entities. If we had 55 youth at the Congress and Bro. Northam brought 45 from his church, not Dinwiddie, the Congress is dead. Something is wrong with that picture. So, we have to work in collaboration or the Congress will die. Rev. Heard: I didn t have a report because we haven t really done much since the last report, but I will say we are grateful to the BTU Congress who gave us half the donation that was raised for Foreign and Home Missions. I gave the check today of $ and I want to thank the BTU for that and those who gave. This October, we are sponsoring a trip (first one) for the VBSC, Dr. Guns will lead that endeavor and we are going to Uganda working with the Baptist Convention of Uganda. They have taking about 28 individuals. This will be the first time. We have 1500 pastors who are already registered for the Pastor s conference. We also are going to also do a medical camp, this is the first time with partnership of the Uganda Baptist Convention. To God be the glory for that. The trip will be October 15 th 25 th and this is our first partnership. I may have shared this with you, the first time we met them over twelve years ago, I didn t realize that they took us on the word we shared regarding church building. So, the leader of the Uganda Convention, reached out to one of the churches we partner with in Hampton, which is ICM, the church building thing. Uganda has built nearly two hundred churches to date, five churches as a time through that partnership. Later on, we will give you 2019 schedule. We still do our annual trip to Haiti in the Spring. Our missionaries are doing great. Dr. Guns church just got back from Africa. They spent two weeks there with their youth. So, if you want to take your youth there, it is a wonderful experience. They worked in the three acres of gardens for the school. They painted a great portion of the school. They put in new toilets and new lighting. That group did a tremendous job. Our missionaries on ground, Cornell and Carol Jones, they can facilitate that. President Whitfield: Thank you for the work you do in collaboration and what you do singularly for the VBSC. The offering that you brought to the convention from the first Sunday in May, we called it Missions around Virginia Baptist Sunday, we ask again the first Sunday in May and bring it to the annual session and it will be divided between Home and Foreign Missions. This enables us to give some level of support to our Foreign Missions in terms of its operation of what they are doing throughout the year and our VBSC objectives. And then the other piece, for Home Missions, when something happens across the country, we will have seed money to be first responders. We don t always want to be behind the eight-ball. When you bring that offering, which was about $ last session, I would love for us to triple that next year so we can do more and greater. When tragedy strikes and things happen, and they will, as a Convention we can respond and don t have to beat you up at the last minute to send $500 or $1000 to help in a particular endeavor. So, thank you so very much, Rev. Heard. Our home mission s department is under new leadership, so I didn t really expect any report from Rev. Allen. VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 12 of 15

13 Home Missions/Rev. Allen: As the president has stated, I was appointed this past session as Home Missions Chairperson. I would like to see various associations, designate someone, in order to put together a home mission board across the state. I recommend a person from each local Baptist association be designated by their current moderator for the VSBC home mission s board. (report provided) President Whitfield: I will respond to this in writing. However, at this junction, I want to mirror what is done nationally with Home Missions. When normally, it has been more disaster relief when crisis hit. Typically, Home missions have done, disaster relief throughout the United States, not foreign soil. I will submit to you something in writing to get you detailed to that. Women-In-Ministry Rev. Beatrice Williams, State Director: Report provided Moderator s Division Dr. Edward Jones: We are blessed to have new moderators and they are trying to update the roster. Thank God we have the Rockfish Baptist Association, Rev. Rodney Sandidge and we need your contact information. For the supporter, we have Dr. Baker who serves as moderator. For the Valley Baptist Association, Rev. Ron Brown also The Sharon Baptist Association, Dr. Chambers. These are the new moderators and we are looking forward to solicit their support. I will be in contact with each moderator very soon to encourage them to become supportive of the VBSC. We ask you to pray for us and we will pray for you. And I will encourage my moderator. An Executive Board Member asked for the numbers and information for the moderators be placed on the website. President Whitfield responded that they may not want their numbers on the web, but a list can be sent out by to the executive board to list the moderators. Once Rev. Allen does the map, it will be wonderful for our associations to click on their moderators and be able to them directly through the website as well as be able to click on your picture and get to you directly from the website. Young Pastors & Ministers Dr. Leroy Mitchell: I have received freshly from the hands of Pastor Brown our current registration from the previous workshop. My intention is to put forth a more vigorous training program for our young pastors and ministers on pastoral ethics, protocol, and things of that nature. And especially in the first part of next year, I will offer all of our ministers to a seminar on taxes, retirement planning and things of that nature. Also, I want to encourage all the pastors to provide for us their associates and ministers-in-training, so to be a clearing house for the training of our next generation of pastors and leaders. And to schedule something throughout the year within the different regions once the map is set up, we will come and help to build our Young Pastors and Ministers division. We want to make sure we include all of our young pastors for the opportunities to be license and used so that our convention can have a thorough imprint. Rev. Brown: So, we can send the right information, what is the age group that you are considering as young pastors and ministers? President Whitfield responded: ten years and under of pastoral experience and under, not based on age. President Whitefield: Again, I want to say welcome to those who are new. I want to make sure everyone knows those who are new. Sis. Goldie Logan, Assistant Treasurer; Dr. James Perkins, Moderator of Pig River Missionary Baptist Association. They ve got the newest association building in the state, and it s paid for. We know Dr. Jones and Dr. Leroy Mitchell and Dr. Sylvia Tucker, Historian in Prince George County. Bro. Myrick is new, but not new to the convention. We thank Pastor Young again for his hospitality. Is there anything else that we need to discuss? Sis. Goode asked: At the Mid-Year session, will we have a time for a business session? The women may not need it, but I need to know if we will or not. President responded, probably not VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 13 of 15

14 during the session. What we will, like last year, end early so if any auxiliary needs to meet they can start a session around 2 pm on the second day, around the time we are going home. Dr. Echols: Apologized for being late and suggested that we must say something about Aretha Franklin who meant so much to the church, to us as a people and to the nation. She had difficulties growing up but it was the church that sustained her even when she went from the sacred to the secular, it s in her voice of the church and the late Rev. C.L. Franklin and the New Bethel Church. Aretha Franklin epitomizes those of us who have children as pastors what the church can do and what it has meant to our families. I am sensitive to these things especially when the president of our country said, she used to work for him. But this woman meant a lot to us and a PK (preacher s kid) that I wanted to mention her. Her funeral will be August 31 st. Dr. Jasper Williams will be eulogist, who also did her father s funeral. Rev. Brown: Questioned vacant church listing and was there a method for churches to list vacancies. President Whitfield announced that one was just added to the listing on the website. The churches can submit the information by and it will be placed on the website quickly. Evangelism Board: report provided Bro. Sam Moore could not be in attendance. He solicits your prayers. He had a fall recently. He is at home under doctor s care. Rev. Young I would like to thank you, President Whitfield and the executive board for allowing us to host you. We thank God for our caterer and culinary ministry along with the pastor s aide ministry for their support on today. We love you and thank you again for allowing us to host. President Whitfield: We thank you!! This church has a lot of history with the VBSC, I am grateful that we were able to come here and your acceptance of us. Dr. Tyron Williams: If you did not submit a report in writing, please get my and send your report so it can be capture the essence of your reports in our minutes (tyrondw@gmail.com). Thank you. President Whitfield: Dr. Carl B. Hutcherson, our Parliamentarian, is in the hospital, keep him in your prayers along with Bro. Sam Moore. If you look around the room, Rev. Brown is the youngest person, and he is not young anymore, so I think we need to look at that. One of our cooperate sponsors, Optima Health, Donald Barrow, retired, but he started his own consulting firm and what he s proposing is that we can lay out some initiatives, for example social justice, health vitality, some level education along with Christian education. He suggests, for example we do social justice, his firm will find us corporate sponsors to sponsor our convention, because we are reaching so many with social justice or with healthcare knowledge and education, etc. If we can find an initiative along with what we do in ministry, a communal issue we are willing to attack and address, he can find thousands or tens of thousands to help fund our convention efforts. Then when we go to conventions, we won t spend all the money and we can use that money to support the convention. I will be having some conference calls with our Vice President so we can have these conversations and present something at the Mid-year session. Hopefully, we won t be late to get on their fiscal year. Therefore, we are hopefully looking to do this with him and he contracts about $75 an hour to consult. If he can guarantee us about $25,000.00, it s considered an opportunity cost. We will be in dialogue with Donald Barrow to see how he can help us develop partnerships and get funding. Closing Prayer Dr. Brandon VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 14 of 15

15 REGISTRATION FORM Name: Date: Address: City/State/Zip: Church Affiliation: Pastor: Association: Phone: (H) (Mobile): Check One 2018 Northern Neck Rappahannock River Regional Church Conference Sponsored by the VBSC State Department of Christian Education Wake Up! Equipping the Rural Church for Growth Revelation 3:1-6 Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die.. Pastors and Deacons Roles and Leadership in the Church Trustees Ministry Best Practices and Procedures for Finance and Administration Youth Ministry Equipping Youth Ministers and Leaders Biblical Studies How to Read and Study the Bible Ushers Ministry The Ministry of Ushers in the Local Church September 14-15, 2018 Macedonia Baptist Church Friday, September 14-15, 2018 Courses Saturday Joint Session: Equipping the Rural Church for Growth Pastor H. Patrick Cason, Bethany Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns, Second Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA Pastor H. Patrick Cason, Bethany Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA Pastor Jonathon D. Waldon, First Baptist Church of Mathews, Mathews Co. VA Pastor Luther S. Allen III, First Lynnhaven Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, VA Dean Ethel Triplett, Second Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA All courses are designed in two (2) sessions: Session I is 9am to 10:30am Session II is 1pm to 2:30pm General Schedule for the Weekend Friday, September 14, 2018 Saturday, September 15, 2018 Start Time: 7:00pm 8:30AM Opening Devotions Praise and Worship: Guest Lecture: Sermon: Host Church or Guests Introduction to the Christian Leadership School of the Sunday School Publishing Board - Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns, Second Calvary Baptist Church, Norfolk, VA Host Church or Guest 9AM - 10:30AM 10:45AM - 12NOON 12:12-45PM LUNCH 1:00PM - 2:30PM Session II Class Session I Joint Session for All Participants: Equipping the Rural Church for Growth Rev. H. Patrick Cason, Bethany Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA Registration Fee: Received By: VBSC Minutes for 8/21/18 Page 15 of 15