Restructuring Proposal for Indiana



Below is a proposal being considered by all our Indiana associations. This proposal is the result of 3 years of discussions with pastors and other leaders across our state.


State Restructuring Proposal
Recommendations from the Associational Representatives

“Having been led by the Holy Spirit to consider a new model for the associations and state convention, partnering with churches and pastors to reach Indiana with the gospel by strengthening churches, promoting evangelism and church planting, we recommend the following plan for an official response from each association in a duly called business meeting”

1. That the associational lines remain for purposes of autonomy, fellowship, doctrinal integrity, and ministry;

and that the State Convention locate and provide strategic, catalytic leadership in five regions of the State for the purpose of helping pastors and churches in evangelism, church strengthening, church planting and strategic planning.

2. That a transitional team will be made up of associational moderators (or their appointees) and State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (SCBI) executive board member representatives for determining the initial number and placement/possible relocation of strategists in each region, who would be considered SCBI staff.

3. In order to provide accountability to the associations as well as the state convention, it is further recommended that an advisory team be established, consisting of two representatives from each association, one elected by the association and the other an SCBI executive board member from that association, appointed by the board chairman.

The advisory team would be responsible for providing on-going feedback, evaluations and suggestions to the executive director of SCBI and the SCBI Executive Board Administrative Committee concerning present and future regional staff.

4. That Baptist Campus Evangelists and the Community Evangelism Ministers who receive funding from SCBI & NAMB be responsible to an immediate supervisor in the region, association or local church as specified in a new cooperative agreement.

5. That a new, annual cooperative agreement be established with each association and SCBI/NAMB for the jointly-funded regional strategists.

6. That SCBI pay for any relocation costs that may be incurred in potential moves for current missionaries.

7. That if SCBI decides to utilize one of the existing associational buildings for a regional office, a cooperative agreement to cover the costs will be negotiated with the association.

8. That if an association does not want to participate in the new model, then a new cooperative agreement, which is renewed annually anyway, will be negotiated, but funding would not be reduced unless the association requested a decrease.

Possible Regions To be determined by the Transitional Team
(outlined regions will be at the Restructuring Information Meeting)




Proposed Job Description
Regional Strategy Coordinator (subject to name change to fit with NAMB requirements)
REPORTS TO:
SCBI Team Leader & Regional Advisory Team, and ultimately reports to the Executive Board, and the Executive Director of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana.
PURPOSE:
The Regional Strategy Coordinator exists to help the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the State Convention Mission Statement & the strategists assigned Team Purpose Statement.
Proposed Job Description
GENERAL SKILLS:
-Strong love for and Relationship with the Lord; be evangelistic in their personal life, strong prayer life, a self-starter and be a team player.
-Organizational skills; able to manage people and resources; personable; good communication skills both verbal and written;
-Administrative skills; good time manager; strategic thinker; good networker; good listener.
-A person of integrity and honesty.
-Demonstrate a calling and commitment to the local church.
-Up-to-date with current trends, and resources.
-Be a specialist in their field.

Books on my nightstand, desk, in my car (ie. mobile office) or wherever else I recently sat down to read...

Consider going to my friends at www.anchorroom.org for your purchases

Launch: Starting a New Church from Scratch by Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas, Regal
We just attended their Launch Conference in NYC. Very practical how-to...wish I had it when we launched.

Just Walk Across The Room by Bill Hybels, Zondervan
Considers the effectiveness of Engle Scale evangelism effort that sees conversion as a long term process for many, not an event. I like this book because I see God using me to reach people in very similar ways. I just celebrated a spiritual victory when my 5 years of praying and relating led that man to finally start living for Christ! One of many "long-term" efforts since we launched our church.

The Nomadic Church: Growing Your Congregation Without Owning the Building by Bill Easum and Pete Theodore, Abingdon
Wow, where were they when we started organizing? Practical strategies, task and leader descriptions, etc.

Pastorpreneur by Dr. John Jackson, Baxter Press, purchase at www.vqresources.com
Helps me communicate my vision and passion for the local church and church planting to business people. If I wasn't called to be a pastor, I'd probably be working to start a new company or business...

High Impact Church Planting by Dr. John Jackson, www.vqresources.com
Helps me evalutate future church plants and my current vision for our church


Development Barriers to Church Growth: Specific Leadership Challenges at Each Level by Dr. John Jackson, www.vqresources.com
Small booklet that packs a punch! He says in paragraphs what some have had to say in several books combined. Worth the price.

The Creative Leader by Ed Young, Broadman and Holman
I don't understand exactly how he organizes for preaching, but I sure appreciate his challenge to me as a leader to step it up and pull out all the stops.

Perimeters of Light by Elmer Towns and Ed Stetzer, Moody Publishers
Postmodernity explained so that even a novice can start to grasp it.

New Perspectives on Breaking the 200 Barrier by Bill M. Sullivan
go to www.200barrier.org for free pdf download of his previous manuscript and ppt slides
We're in the middle of applying his "10 steps" within our church

Community of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Planting and Growing a Church by Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin
Pick it up, put it down, pick it up again. Easy read and practical advice for planters.

Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens by Neil Cole, Jossey-Bass
Just started this, so can't say what I think about it yet

The Pressure's Off by Larry Crabb, Waterbrook Press
Only part way into it. Good reminder that the general principles of Proverbs is sometimes overruled by a Job experience. It's all about knowing and relating to God intimately, not about knowing what God can do for us. Thanks goes out to the worship attender who gave this to me.