Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week
authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life.
In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention
and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to
self-perpetuating boards.
Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week
authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life.
In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention
and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to
self-perpetuating boards.
In a second, board members agreed to study the structure for
directors of missions and how they relate to their associations and the denomination.
Board President Philip Robertson is responsible for assigning
the studies to standing committees or to name persons to special ones. Robertson
is pastor at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville.
Motions authorizing the studies were approved without dissent
after rules were suspended to allow their presentation.
Existing procedure calls for all new business to be presented
to the Executive Board president at least 10 days prior to a scheduled meeting.
Rules call for any new business introduced without such a notice to be automatically
postponed for discussion until the next scheduled meeting.
However, last week, Robertson asked board members to suspend
the rule in order to consider two matters brought to his attention within the
prior week. Board members agreed without discussion or dissent.
Bill Ascol then proposed a committee be assigned to study “the
governing documents of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, its institutions and
agencies and report back to the full Executive Board at the May 2002 meeting,
recommending any changes that should be made to prevent any of these entities
(from) severing (their) ties with the LBC and creating their own self-perpetuating
governing board.”
Agenices in other states have made such moves, most recently
in Missouri, where several state convention entities have moved to establish
self-perpetuating boards as a result of ongoing denominational conflict.
“We do not want what happened in Missouri to happen here,
…” said Ascol, pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Shreveport. “It
seems to me … this is a good time to study these things. … Some say, if
its not broke, dont fix it. But if we wait till this is broke, its
too late to fix it.”
LBC Executive Director Dean Doster cited the study as an effort
to see where Louisiana Baptist entities are on the matter.
Board members then approved the study committee without dissent.
Johnny Sanders then moved a second committee be assigned “to
evaluate the relationship of the associational directors of missions to their
respective associations, the state missions services division and the LBC Executive
Board to determine whether or not the present arrangement is the one that best
serves the association.”
That committee also is to report its findings and any recommendations
in May.
The study should include a look at the selection process for
the directors of missions, explained Sanders, pastor at Providence Baptist Church
in Downsville.
Doster noted the director of missions process has been discussed
at length in recent years, but he welcomed the study.
“We want to do whats best for Louisiana Baptists,”
the state leader said.
Richard “Skip” Palmer moved to table the issue and
give leaders a chance to examine existing documents and determine if there is
any problem with the selection process. Palmer is pastor at Mt. Olive Baptist
Church in Athens.
However, others noted the original motion called for a look
at more than just the selection process. When Palmers motion failed to
get a second, board members then approved the call for a study of the issue
without further discussion or dissent.
In the only other items of business during the meeting, board
members:
Elected committee leaders
Lonnie Wascom was elected chair of the Executive Boards
operating committee, with Perry Hubbs chosen as vice chair. Wascom is pastor
at Immanuel Baptist Church in Hammond. Hubbs is pastor at First Baptist Church
of Opelousas.
Kris Chenier was elected chair of the boards program
committee, with Robert Spicer chosen as vice chair. Chenier is pastor at New
Beulah Baptist Church in Hammond. Spicer is pastor at Cheniere Baptist Church
in West Monroe.
Learned of the election of two directors of missions
by the operating committee.
James Carson will serve as director of missions for Caldwell, Deer Creek and
Richland Baptist associations. He succeeds Alan Miller, who resigned last year
to accept a pastorate. Carson, 57, has served as pastor of 12 churches, all
but one of which are in Louisiana. Most recently, he served as pastor at First
Baptist Church of Jonesville.
Jerry Price will serve as director of missions for Morehouse
and Northeast Louisiana Baptist associations. He succeeds David Terry, who died
last year. Price, 50, has served as pastor of three congregations, two of which
are in Louisiana. He most recently was serving as pastor at Greenacres Baptist
Church in Bastrop.