EMBA Board of Directors

Transcription

1 A report on our life together as an Association of Baptist Churches in the East Midlands Presented to the AGM on 1 st April 2017

2 EMBA Board of Directors EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Regional Ministers: Dianne Tidball (until Jan 2017) Mark Clay (From 1st September 2016) ELECTED MEMBERS Moderator: Company Secretary: Treasurer: Others: David Harvey (Belper, Derbys) Melvyn Gilmour (Milford, Derbys) Tim Jackson (Rothley, Leics) John Brewster (Retford, Notts) Margaret Hanning (Whetstone, Leics) Carol Hodgkinson (West Bridgford, Notts) David Howe (Heanor, Derbys) David Mackness (Keyworth, Notts) Jonathan Oatridge (Bottesford, Lincs) Steve Salmen (Cosby, Leics) Non-voting member: Victoria Takel (Administrator)

3 EMBA Annual Report April 2017 General Looking back over the past year, the Directors and staff team have continued to focus on: Serving East Midland Baptist churches in mission Growing healthy churches Planting new churches and being outward focussed As Directors, in all we do we seek God through prayer and the Scriptures. Our meetings begin with scripture and prayer, reminding ourselves that it is only by God s Spirit that his work will be done and we are servants seeking to carry out his will. At the AGM in April 2016, the Association affirmed the appointment of Revd Mark Clay to the post of Regional Team Leader. Under God, we sought an Apostolic leader, and Mark Clay we praise God that He prompted Mark to apply for the post, and for His Spirit guiding the discernment of the Appointing Group leading to Mark s nomination. Mark took up the post in September 2016, working alongside Rev Dianne Tidball, before taking full responsibility from 1 January On 27 th November 2016, a service of celebration was held at Melton Mowbray Baptist Church to mark Dianne s retirement after 8 years as Regional Minister Team Leader. In an atmosphere of worship and a message from God s Word, tributes were given regarding her significant local ecumenical and national work with the Baptist Union. Dianne s ministry was characterised by a passion for proclaiming the truth of the gospel, mission and pioneering, effective and efficient leadership and administration, and a heart for people. We give thanks to Dianne for all she gave to us, and to God for sending her to the EMBA. We were delighted that she was elected President of the Baptist Union for 2017/18, We also marked the retirement of Revd Tony Haley as a Regional Minister in September Tony served the Association well during his 5 years with us, building links with and supporting local churches. Again we give thanks to him and to God. The Revds Mike Fegredo, Ellen Price and Steve Price have continued to serve as Regional Ministers, and we rejoice at the spiritual strength and capacity that we have within the Staff Team.

4 We are also blessed with efficient and effective administrative support in Viki Takel and Becky Nicholls, together with many people who carry out important and unsung background tasks in support of the work of EMBA. We give thanks to Carol Hodgkinson and David Mackness who are not seeking renomination as Directors after two terms in office. As Directors, we pray for discernment and wisdom as we together with the Staff Team address the opportunities for church planting and pioneering along with the challenges facing many of our churches. Effective leadership in our churches is so important, and we commend the Equip EMBA Training Programme and Safeguarding Training to all. As we grapple with practical and financial issues related to pension schemes and unsuitable buildings, may we never lose sight of the fact that we serve Becky a great Nicholls God who brings light into the darkest places, and transforms lives. The Lord will build His church. David Harvey (Moderator of the Board of Directors) Staffing Group The staffing group has met in different guises over the year but has been responsible for completing the process of appointing the new Regional Team Leader & appointing someone to give additional Administrative support Becky Nicholls. Becky Nicholls The group seeks to ensure good working practices for the staff and offer support in any Human Resource management issues for the EMBA. An inspiring final session at this years Ministers Conference where the theme was Gathered and Scattered Churches. Pam Bryan and Peter Nodding were the Keynote Speakers.

5 Ministry Development Group The Ministry Development Group supports and works with those who are exploring a call to accredited ministry, or who have settled within our Association as Newly Accredited ministers. Graham Heath has become joint moderator of this group for one year, serving alongside Steve Price. In 2016 we saw 4 candidates and 5 completed the NAM s process. We are seeing more applicants with a calling to be Pioneers and have developed our processes to reflect this. Revd Dianne Tibball & Revd David Pile pray for Mark & Karen Clay at Mark s Induction as Regional Team Leader at the EMBA AGM at Robert Hall BC in Leicester - April 2016 East Midland Baptist Trust Company The East Midland Baptist Trust Company primarily acts as Custodian Trustee for many EMBA churches. In addition, it has responsibility for advising congregations on property related matters; the investment of monies received from, and the maintenance of burial grounds arising from, closed churches; and the consideration of Loan or Small Project Grants Applications from EMBA churches for building and other projects. The Directors meet at least quarterly, but also actively correspond between meetings in response to more urgent matters. The focus for the last year has been to continue to position the East Midland Baptist Trust Company more closely within the EMBA, utilising common resources and reducing duplication of common processes

6 Safeguarding This has been an area of huge change for us in the last year. BUGB have produced new training packages for all DBS church workers (paid or unpaid) and have asked that each Association roll out this new training locally. After much discussion, it was decided that we would partner with CCPAS (Churches Child Protection Advisory Service) to help us deliver this training and to offer support to the churches in our Association. This means that the Safeguarding Support Group in its present form is no longer needed. We are so grateful to Bob Knight and the Safeguarding Support Group for all the work they have done to help the churches of the EMBA. All EMBA churches are now able to access the CCPAS services which will work alongside the EMBA Regional Ministers and the Baptist Together Safeguarding team. There are training events planned through the coming year in different parts of the association. Information about these have been sent out to all churches but if you have any questions please contact Becky Nicholls at the EMBA. Steve Brady preaches at the EMBA AGM April 2016 Grants Group The Grants Group have met a number of times and have been able to offer 17 grants to churches and new church plants on an ongoing basis to support mission and ministry. There have also been several one-off grants awarded to enable mission initiatives to get off the ground. In all its discussions and decisions, the group try to remember that the aim of the grants is to enable churches to grow and become self-sustaining, self-supporting and self-reproducing. We are thrilled that we have been able to support a number of church planting projects in different parts of the Association.

7 Those in ministry whom we welcome to our Association: Rev Elaine Cockbill, Robert Hall Memorial Church, Leicester Rev Martin Hills, Oundle BC Rev Richard Jevons, Louth BC Rev Simon Robinson, Watnall Road, Hucknall Rev Steve Smith, Hinckley BC Rev Conrad Weller, Kirby Muxloe BC Home Mission Home Mission giving for the year was 253,865 compared to 255,893 in 2015, a most encouraging indication of our church s support for the wider Baptist family in these continuing difficult times A surplus of 25,243 was recorded for the year on unrestricted/designated funds. Unrestricted funds of 1,113,869 are carried forward at the end of the year of which 314,173 has been designated for specific areas of mission opportunity. Donations to Home Mission should be sent to: Philip Hand (EMBA Home Mission Director) 11 Baldocks Lane, Melton Mowbray, Leics, LE13 1EN Please make all cheques payable to EMBA Home Mission written in full. All other money should be sent to: Irene Milburn (Bookkeeper) c/o EMBA Office, c/o West Bridgford Baptist Church, Melton Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7NF Please make all cheques payable to East Midland Baptist Association written in full and attach a letter explaining what the payment is for.

8 Contacting EMBA All enquiries relating to Ministry, Mission, Settlement and Church Life should be directed to: Mark Clay, Regional Minister, Team Leader Mike Fegredo, Regional Minister Ellen Price, Regional Minister Steve Price, Regional Minister Half Time For all General enquiries relating to Association events, planning, organisation, Home Mission, and directory information: Viki Takel, Administrator EMBA Office, c/o West Bridgford Baptist Church, Melton Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7NF Becky Nicholls, Administrative Support East Midland Baptists: Serving East Midland Baptists in Mission Website: The East Midland Baptist Association is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Registered Charity no A Company limited by Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales No; Registered Address: West Bridgford Baptist Church, Melton Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7NF