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.

Do you have that place that symbolizes "getting away?" That one place you really feel like you are free from the phone, email, blogs?

Mine is North Myrtle Beach. Been going there since high school. No matter how long the 15 hour trip feels, entering NMB city limits changes me. As if a drain opens and all the pressure of pastoring runs away. If I can get even one good day of sand, waves, and sun, it takes me to a new level of relaxation. So different from Indiana.

Prayer with God during my getaway time is different, more freeflow, less routine. Books read on a reclining chair while hearing crashing waves are just better. Even when the sand gets between the pages.

Vacation. Needful. Restful. Helpful. I heard a funny one about a kid asking why pastors take off some Sundays for vacation. His mother said if he is a good preacher, he deserves time off, and if he isn't, the church does...

Please take time off. Spend it with family. Really get away. Try to do it at least annually. Maybe the same place or in the same way, to get that same mental release. Stay away long enough to really be away.

Throw in a last minute sightseeing trip like we did. Visit friends who live near your vacation spot (We did that! Thanks Drew and Rebekah for such a great time!).

Time to fire up the engines now. On with pressing matters. But I'm ready. Been "away."

Block Party Successful

We're planting seeds through our Day Camp last month, a few block parties in our community and a parade entry in our city's largest annual parade. While we still have great hopes and expectations for attendance growth, spiritual decisions and baptisms over the summer, we are more focused on creating awareness and building relationships throughout the summer. We pray that, as people settle back into their fall routines, they will include us in their planning.

A successful block party means we gave a high number of people a fun experience with games, face painting, moonwalk, etc, and we were able to give them information about our church and the message of Christ's love. We also hope to walk away with a handful of new friendships, people who stopped long enough to begin spiritual conversations. Our favorite way to have a block party is at a high family traffic business like a movie theater during a highly publicized event, like the opening of a family friendly movie. Last night, we were at Carmike Cinema when a few good family shows were starting to play, during the same time that a popular radio station was hosting a live broadcast at our location. This gave us a few seconds of free air advertisements when they announced our part of the festivities.

We don't always see immediate results. But, over time, St Joe has built a reputation with local businesses, two great radio stations, and many in the community, just by hosting about 4 or 5 block parties a year. Our local association of churches owns a trailer with all the equipment, so we just schedule the events and gather the volunteers.

Does anyone know how we can get a firetruck for cheap???? We have dreams of fitting one up for these events. A great kid magnet! Just thought I'd ask....