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 As an American Baptist lifer, I have had a great deal of experience with American Baptist churches. My father was an ABC pastor in Ohio and I saw up close and personal what the ABC-USA brand of Christianity is all about. Having been an ABC pastor myself for almost 30 years, the politics of denominationalism can be at times daunting. To say the least, the governance of a faith community is almost a necessary contradiction.
This being said, it is with absolute delight that I have the privilege of presiding as president of a well-structured, properly accountable, professionally acting, and vision focused region. Earlier this year the officers of the Board Trustees of the region were invited to join the staff in a visioning process lead by Dr. Jeff Woods from The Office of the General Secretary. The fact that we were invited speaks volumes about the staff’s willingness to listen not just to the board but also to the congregations they serve. Having been a part of this envisioning process I can say first hand that the staff is serious about creating a way forward that is carefully articulated and gives attention to our churches and those who lead them.
Another feature of ABCRM to be proud of is the fact that its professional staff has the local pastor’s well-being at heart. Personally, I have been able to attend more continuing education events in the three years since I have been a part of ABCRM than I had in twice that much time previously. These events are often subsidized and therefore affordable. These training events are easily translated into day-to-day church life. Congregations benefit when pastors are cared for. In addition, the area coaches are always at the ready when churches need an outside source of support and resourcing.
Finally, I’m pleased with the accountability that permeates the operations. From fiscal responsibility to reporting activity to chain of command: there is a sense of team work well balanced against a sense of the regional organizational chart. Boundaries are sometimes hard to define because so much work overlaps. The staff truly likes each other and this makes the work environment conducive to good work.
This all means that the ground is being plowed and the seeds are being planted for productive Kingdom-of-God work. So as we celebrate our common faith during this Annual Gathering, let’s be thankful for the lessons of the past, the fellowship of the present and the vision that has been discerned for our future.
David DeMott
Region Board President
2010 Region Board President Report
2009 Region Board President Report
2008 Region Board President Report |
