195th annual meeting calvary baptist temple, savannah ... · pdf file195th annual meeting...

2016 Georgia Baptist Convention195th Annual Meeting

Calvary Baptist Temple, Savannah November 14 – 15

“...striving together for the faith of the gospel...” Philippians 1:27

2016 Georgia Baptist Convention OfficersThomas Hammond, PresidentRobby Foster, Vice PresidentKevin Williams, Vice PresidentBrad Waters, Vice PresidentMark Sterling, Vice President

2016 Executive Committee OfficersMike Stone, ChairmanAndy Childs, Vice ChairmanJ. Robert White, Executive Director BOOK OF REPORTS

"Striving together for the faith of the Gospel" Philippians 1:27

195TH ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO THE

GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION

(140TH ANNUAL REPORT ON ORGANIZED WORK)

CONTENTS

PAGE 2-5 PROVISIONAL PROGRAM PAGE 6-11 GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION CONSTITUTION PAGE 14-46 REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

GIFTS OF GEORGIA BAPTISTS THROUGH MISSION

GEORGIA AND THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM ENABLE

US TO PARTNER TOGETHER IN FULFILLING THE GREAT

COMMISSION.

2 2016 Book of Reports

PROGRAM PROVISIONAL 2016 GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION

195TH ANNUAL MEETING CALVARY BAPTIST TEMPLE, SAVANNAH


INSPIRATIONAL RALLY 6 – 7:30 PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Special Music – Charles Billingsley, Lynchburg, VA

Special Music– Savannah Area Choir Welcome/Introductions – Thomas Hammond, Convention President

Greetings – Frank Page, President, SBC Missions Inspiration - J. Robert White, Executive Director

Inspirational Message – Johnny Hunt, First Baptist, Woodstock Benediction – Jeremy Morton, First Baptist, Cartersville

ANNUAL MEETING SESSION 6 – 9:00 PM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14 6:00 pm Congregational Praise – Al Denson, Celebration Ministries, Grapevine, Texas Special Music – Daniel Crews, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida

6:10 pm Call to Order – Thomas Hammond, President, Georgia Baptist Convention, First Baptist, Alpharetta

Enrollment and Organization – Danny Henson, Recording Secretary New Liberty Baptist, Ringgold

6:15 pm Adoption of Order of Business – Jerry Peele, First Baptist, Eastman

Greetings from Host Pastor – Kenny Grant, Calvary Baptist Temple, Savannah

Greetings from Host Associational Missionary – Buddy Wasson, Savannah Baptist Association

6:25 pm Pastor Testimony – Steven Adams, Legacy Church, Hephzibah

6:30 pm SBC Greetings – Greg Love, Senior Associate Relationship Manager, GuideStone Kevin Ezell, President, North American Mission Board Rick Stevens, Buford Store Manager, LifeWay Christian Resources

2016 Book of Reports 3

6:45 pm Miscellaneous Business

6:50 pm Congregational Praise – Al Denson Special Music – Voices of Truth, Brewton-Parker College

7:15 pm President’s Message – Thomas Hammond

7:45 pm Congregational Music – Al Denson

7:50 pm Pastor Testimony – Crag Dale, Ivy Creek, Buford

7:55 pm Public Affairs Committee Video Report – Mike Griffin, Public Affairs Representative

8:00 pm Announcements/Recognition of Past Presidents

8:10 pm Mission Board Ministry Spotlight – Baptist Village, Baptist Retirement Communities, Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes

8:20 pm Scripture and Prayer – Jerry Dockery, First Baptist, Crabapple

8:25 pm Special Music – Daniel Crews

8:30 pm Missionary Sermon – Andy Childs, Ebenezer Baptist, Toccoa

9:00 pm Benediction – Kenny Grant, Host Pastor

ANNUAL MEETING SESSION 9 AM – 12:00 PM TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 9:00 am Congregational Praise – Al Denson Special Music – Voices of Truth, Brewton-Parker College

9:10 am Pastor Testimony – Clarence Potter, City of Blessings, Covington

9:15 am The Christian Index Report – J. Gerald Harris, Editor

9:20 am Preachers Committee Report – Brad Waters, First Baptist, Hazlehurst 9:25 am Education Commission Report – J. Robert White, Executive Director

9:40 am Memorials Observance – Terrell Ruis, First Baptist, Moultrie

9:45 am Executive Committee Report – Mike Stone, Chairman, Emmanuel Baptist, Blackshear J. Robert White, Executive Director

10:30 am Miscellaneous Business

10:35 am Congregational Praise – Al Denson Special Music – Jubal Tones


10:45 am State Speakers Tournament Winner– Mackenzie Ford, Crossroads Baptist, Valdosta

10:50 am Mission Board Ministry Spotlight – Georgia Baptist Foundation, Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, GuideStone Retirement and Insurance Services

11:00 am Pastor Testimony – Santosh Ramdam, First Nepali, Atlanta

11:05 am Scripture and Prayer – Danny Williams, First Baptist, Lyons

11:10 am Congregational Praise – Al Denson Special Music – Daniel Crews

11:30 am Doctrinal Sermon – Jim Perdue, Second Baptist, Warner Robins

12 noon Benediction – Kevin Mansorri, First Baptist Church of Iranians, Alpharetta

ANNUAL MEETING SESSION

2:00 – 5:30 PM TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 2:00 pm Congregational Praise – Al Denson

2:05 pm Pastor Testimony – Shane Roberson, Maysville Baptist, Maysville

2:10 pm Mission Georgia Report – J. Robert White, Executive Director

2:50 pm Congregational Praise – Al Denson Special Music – Daniel Crews

3:05 pm Committee on Nominations Report – Matt Peek, First Baptist, Pelham

3:15 pm WMU and Women’s Enrichment Ministry Report – Beth Ann Williams, Executive Director-Treasurer Jackie Hardy, President

3:35 pm Election of Officers

3:55 pm Congregational Praise – Al Denson

4:00 pm Pastor Testimony – Chris Conner, Faith, Monroe

4:05 pm Committee on Resolutions Report – Steve Foster, Cross Pointe, Duluth

4:15 pm Announcements/Order of Business Committee/Miscellaneous Business

4:20 pm Congregational Praise – Al Denson Special Music – Daniel Crews

4:35 pm Closing Message – H. B. Charles, Shiloh Baptist, Jacksonville, Florida

5:05 pm Installation of Newly Elected Officers


5:10 pm Closing Challenge – Derrick Moore, Chaplain, Georgia Tech

5:30 pm Benediction – Robby Foster, Northside Baptist, Valdosta



CONSTITUTION OF THE BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA

Originally Adopted 1919 Amended 2009

Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of this body shall be the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia. Section 2. The Georgia Baptist Convention is a living partnership of churches growing in grace, strengthening one another in faith and working together in obedience to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Article II. Membership Section 1. This body shall be composed of messengers from cooperating Baptist Churches. A cooperating church is one that gives evidence of its belief in Holy Scripture as its authority in matters of faith and practice and is in harmony and cooperation with the work and purpose of this Convention. A cooperating church does not include a church which knowingly takes, or has taken, any action to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior. Section 2. Messengers. Each cooperating church, having contributed through the Convention for the Cooperative Program and Convention causes during the preceding year, shall be entitled to two messengers and to one additional messenger for each $800 contributed through this Convention for the Cooperative Program and Convention causes, but in no case shall any church be entitled to more than fifteen (15) messengers. Section 3. Voting by proxy is not permitted.

Article III. Meetings Section 1. The Convention shall meet at least once each year, the time and place to be fixed by the Convention or the Executive Committee. The dates and places of meetings shall be planned two years in advance. Section 2. Special Meetings. The Convention may be called into a special meeting by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee. The call for the special meeting shall state the purpose of the meeting and the time, date and place for the meeting. The meeting shall be held no sooner than twenty-one days or later than sixty days after action of the Executive Committee to call the meeting. Notice of the purpose, time, date and place for the special meeting shall be published in The Christian Index in a notice at least the size of one-half page in a minimum of two issues with the second issue published at least seven days before the date of the meeting. The special meeting shall be limited to the purpose stated by the Executive Committee. Section 3. Quorum. The quorum for the annual meetings or special meetings shall be ten percent of the registered messengers.

Article IV. Powers

Section 1. This Convention shall never attempt to exercise authority over any Church, but shall always cheerfully recognize and uphold the Churches' autonomy under Christ.


Section 2. The Convention shall receive funds for the approved work of the Convention and its agencies and shall dispense these funds according to the expressed will and direction of the donors.

Article V. Officers Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Convention shall be a president, four vice presidents, a secretary and two assistant secretaries, each of whom shall be elected at each annual meeting by the registered messengers and who shall hold their offices until their successors are elected. The officers shall assume office at the close of the Convention at which they are elected. The vice presidents shall be elected by plurality, without regard to receiving a majority of the total votes, the first vice president being the person receiving the most votes and the other vice presidents serving in the positions in order of the number of votes received, and all other officers shall be elected by majority. Their duties shall be those usually discharged by such officers. No person shall serve as president more than two years, and thereafter shall not be eligible for re-election to that office. No person shall be nominated and elected as an officer who is not a registered messenger of the Convention at the time of the nomination. Section 2. If the President, for any reason, is unable to complete the term for which elected, then the first vice president shall immediately become President and shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the first Vice-President is unable to serve, the Vice-President receiving the next highest number of votes shall fill the office. Section 3. Ex Officio Membership. The president shall serve as an ex officio member of all standing and special committees of the Convention. Section 4. Appointment of Committee on Nominations. The president shall appoint the Committee on Nominations and the chairman of the committee.

Article VI. Boards, Commissions And Committees Section 1. Executive Committee Membership. An Executive Committee of the Convention shall be elected by the Convention and its membership shall consist of one member elected from each cooperating association and twenty members elected from the state at large, with each member being elected for a five-year term. It is requested that at least one-half of the at-large positions elected annually to serve on the Executive Committee be laypersons. Membership on the Executive Committee shall also include the officers of the Convention, the president of the Georgia Baptist Pastors Conference, the president of the Georgia Baptist Religious Education Association, the president of the Georgia Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union, the president of the Georgia Baptist Student Union, the president of the Georgia Baptist Music Conference, the president of the Fellowship of Retired Ministers, the two representatives elected annually by the Ethnic Advisory Council for one-year terms, the president of the Preaching Conference, and the president of the Georgia Baptist Ministers Wives Fellowship, with all such persons serving as ex-officio members. Section 2. Executive Committee Membership Eligibility. No person who is regularly employed by or who is a member of a governing board of any institution, agency or entity included in the budget of the Convention and whose trustees or directors are elected by the Convention, shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Executive Committee, except as an ex officio member. No person who is regularly employed by any institution, agency or entity shall be eligible to serve as


a member of any governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of such institution, agency or entity which is appointed or elected by the Convention. No person serving as an elected member of the Executive Committee shall be eligible for re-election to membership on the Executive Committee after the expiration of their term of service or after a forfeiture of such service, until such person has been off the Executive Committee for at least one year; provided, however, where a person is elected to replace another member and where the replacement member will serve less than one-half of the original term, such person shall be eligible for re-election to membership on the Executive Committee. A person elected as a member of the Executive Committee as a representative of a cooperating association must be an active member of a church which is a part of such association. If, subsequent to the election, such person ceases to be a member of a church which is a part of the association, then that person shall be ineligible to serve on the Executive Committee; provided, however, that such person may continue to serve on the Executive Committee until the next annual meeting of the Convention if the association recommends to the Convention that the person be allowed to continue as the association’s representative on the Executive Committee. At the next meeting of the Convention, the Convention shall elect another qualified person to serve in such position. Section 3. Executive Committee Attendance. Any elected member of the Executive Committee who misses all of the Executive Committee meetings during any year of their term, shall forfeit their membership on the Executive Committee. Any elected member of the Executive Committee who misses at least fifty percent of such meetings during any year without contacting the office of the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia and receiving an excused absence for any meeting missed shall forfeit their membership on the Executive Committee. Persons serving as members of any governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of a Convention institution, agency or entity, who are elected or appointed to such position by the Convention, and who do not attend at least fifty percent of the meetings during any year, without being excused from a meeting by the appropriate chairman, shall forfeit their membership on such board, body, commission or committee. Any vacancy occurring due to forfeiture shall be reported to the Executive Committee and the Convention shall follow its regular procedure in electing a person to fill such vacancy with no interim replacements being made. The rotation policy of the Executive Committee shall apply to those persons appointed or elected by the Convention to any governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of any Convention institution, agency or entity. Section 4. Executive Committee Vacancy. Any vacancy occurring in an elected position on the Executive Committee, caused by any reason, shall be filled by the Convention at its next annual meeting. Section 5. Executive Committee Authority. (a) Standing Authority. The Executive Committee shall have charge and control of all work, business, and affairs of the Convention, including missions, education, and benevolence, in the interim between meetings of the Convention and any action of the Executive Committee shall be in all matters the action of the Convention and shall be binding upon the Convention unless such action is contrary to a specific Convention policy or instruction that has been previously recorded in the minutes of the Convention. (b) Emergency Authority. When an emergency occurs in any of the affairs of the Convention, or in any of the interests it controls, that, in the judgment of the Executive Committee, requires action before the next meeting of the Convention, the Executive Committee


in that case shall have full authority to take such action as it determines appropriate, and all parties shall be bound by its action; provided, however, that it must report to the next annual meeting of the Convention all the facts in each case and the action taken. Nothing in this section shall be construed as giving the Executive Committee authority over any matter already committed by the Convention to any of its boards of trustees. (c) Cooperating Churches. Should matters of concern arise from either (i) official action of an association, (ii) action of the Executive Committee, or (iii) action of the Convention, as to whether a church is a cooperating church, the matter shall be referred to the office of the Executive director. The Executive director, in consultation with the Administration Committee of the Executive Committee, shall review the matter which shall include hearing the concerns of the body that initiated the process and the concerns of the church, and seeking to restore an appropriate relationship between the church, the association, and the Convention. The Executive Director shall make recommendation to the Executive Committee which will determine either (i) that no further action is needed, whereupon the matter will be closed, or (ii) that the matter should be referred to the Convention for appropriate action. The Convention by vote of the messengers, can determine that a church does not qualify as a cooperating church, as defined in Article II, Section 1, whereupon such church shall be excluded from the Convention and all rights and privileges thereof. Section 6. Audits and Bonds. Each governing body, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of any institution, agency or entity included in the budget of the Convention or whose trustees or directors are elected by the Convention shall have its financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles accompanied by an unqualified audit opinion from a certified public accountant and shall have its financial officers placed under bond. Section 7. Committee on Nominations. Within sixty days after each annual meeting of the Convention, the president shall appoint a committee of fifteen, five of whom shall have served on the previous Committee on Nominations, to serve as a Committee on Nominations to report at the next annual meeting, whose duty it shall be to nominate to the Convention all boards, commissions and committees elected by the Convention. A person nominated to the Convention by the Committee on Nominations shall be an active member of a Georgia Baptist church. No person who is nominated by the Committee on Nominations shall serve at the same time on more than one governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of any institution, agency or entity whose members are elected by the Convention. Furthermore, no member of the Committee on Nominations nor any immediate family member shall be eligible for nomination by the Committee on Nominations. Section 8. Notice by Committee on Nominations. At least ninety days before each annual meeting of the Convention the Committee on Nominations shall publish in The Christian Index the names of the associations from which Executive Committee members will be elected at the next session of the Convention, and it shall at the same time remind the constituency of the Convention within the fellowship of such associations that they may offer suggestions to the Committee on Nominations concerning the Executive Committee members to be elected from within their respective associations. Section 9. Convention Manual and Standing Committees. The Executive Committee shall maintain an official organizational manual which shall be maintained by the Executive Director


defining the duties, responsibilities, terms, members, and appointment or election procedures for the members of the boards, commissions and committees of the Convention and shall present to the Convention recommendations regarding any such matters. Section 10. Special Committees. The Convention may by its action or approval create a special committee for a specific or special purpose. The members of any such committee shall be named by the president of the Convention unless otherwise specified by the Convention. After any such committee completes its task, it shall be dissolved. Section 11. The Executive Director shall serve as an ex officio member on all standing and special committees of the Convention. Section 12. Membership in Georgia Baptist Convention Church.

(a) Any person elected by the Georgia Baptist Convention to the Executive Committee, or to a board, commission or committee, or as an officer, or to any other position shall be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Convention church. In addition, any person elected to the Executive Committee as a representative of a cooperating association shall be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Convention church that is a part of such association. (b) If a person ceases to be a member of a Georgia Baptist Convention church, or if a representative of an association ceases to be a member of a church in that association, then such person forfeits their remaining term of service and the position becomes vacant; provided, however, a representative of an association, upon written request from the association and approval of the Executive Director, may remain in the position until the next annual meeting of the Convention when the successor representative will be elected. Any vacancy occurring as a result of this section shall be filled by the Convention at its annual meeting. (c) This section shall not apply to persons elected to the board of an institution where the institution’s charter provides at the time this section is adopted that the Committee on Nominations is required to nominate from names received from the institution.

Article VII. Recognition Of Associations For Representation On The Executive Committee

Section 1. Each new association shall consist of a minimum of fifteen (15) churches which are in harmony and cooperation with the work and purpose of this Convention. This association shall be a self-governing fellowship of churches sharing a common faith, active on mission in their setting, and occupying a geographic area of effective ministry which is both reasonable and discernible. Section 2. Each new association shall submit an application provided by the office of the Executive Director which shall require the new association to state the reasons for the recognition of this association for representation on the Executive Committee. All applications must be submitted at least six months prior to the next annual Convention. Section 3. All applications shall be reviewed by a special committee composed of the president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, chairman of the Executive Committee, chairman of the Administration Committee, and the president of the Associational Missionaries Fellowship. The Executive Director and one staff member, appointed by the Executive Director, shall serve as ex officio members of this special committee.


Section 4. The Executive Committee shall review the recommendation of the special committee and recommend approval of the application to the Convention or refer the application back to the special committee for further review. All applicant associations shall be recognized for representation on the Executive Committee upon favorable action by the Convention at its annual meeting.

Article VIII. Institutions Section 1. Definition: An institution is a body whose governing board is elected by the Convention. Section 2. Discontinuance of Relationship. The relationship between the Convention and an institution shall not be discontinued without a majority vote on such action at two consecutive meetings of the Convention, unless the governing board of the institution and the Executive Committee of the Convention concur in such matter; whereupon, action can be taken at one meeting of the Convention and, further, that a notice of the discontinuance of the relationship of an institution of the Convention must be published in The Christian Index at least forty-five days before the meeting of the Convention.

Article IX. Amendments Section 1. The Constitution may only be amended as follows: (i) a motion to amend may be made in writing at the annual meeting of the Convention by any messenger and upon the Convention’s vote to consider such amendment, the proposed amendment will be submitted to the Convention for action at its next annual meeting; or (ii) a proposed amendment may be recommended by the Executive Committee in which case it will be submitted directly to the Convention for action. Section 2. A proposed amendment submitted to the Convention for action must be published in The Christian Index at least thirty days before the meeting of the Convention and such amendment must be approved by two-thirds of the messengers present and voting.

Article X. Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised (Latest Edition), shall govern the meetings of the Convention in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Convention’s Constitution, bylaws or any special rules of order.

STANDING RULES OF THE GEORGIA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Amended 2015 1. The first session of the Annual Convention may be held on Monday evening. (Adopted 1960)

2. The record of gifts listed by association and churches as provided in the Georgia Baptist Convention ANNUAL REPORT for the calendar year immediately preceding the year of the Annual Convention shall be used to determine the number of messengers to which cooperative churches are entitled. (Adopted 1979; Amended 2012)

3. The program of the Annual Convention shall be opened with a Sunday evening “Pre-Convention Inspirational Rally” with all of the churches of the host association(s) asked to participate. (Adopted 1984)


4. The report of ballot voting on all matters and election of officers shall be reported with a breakdown of all votes cast and percentage of votes cast. (Adopted 1986)

5. The report of the Committee on Nominations shall include the name of the church and the association of each nominee and the report shall be available to messengers prior to the presentation of the report with the allowance for oral corrections or additions. (Adopted 1987) (Amended 2015)

6. The United States flag, the Georgia State flag, and the Christian flag shall be prominently and appropriately displayed on the platform of the Annual Convention. (Adopted 1990)

7. No new business shall be presented after the miscellaneous business session on Tuesday morning other than that which is printed in the program. (Adopted 1992; Amended 1997)

8. Other than as noted in the program, all speeches shall be limited to three minutes. (Adopted 1992)

9. In an effort to be good stewards of Cooperative Program funds, meeting sites for annual sessions of the Georgia Baptist Convention will be on a balanced geographic rotation where possible, depending upon the availability of local church sites versus the costs of public sites. It will be the responsibility of the Office of Convention and Meeting Planning to evaluate possible church and public sites that may be suitable locations and to present those sites for approval. (Adopted 1993; Amended 2007)

10. The Preachers Committee shall recommend to the Convention those who will preach the Doctrinal Sermon and the Missionary Sermon, and an alternate for each, all of whom shall be ordained Baptist ministers who are registered as messengers of the annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in which they are to deliver the message. The person who preaches either the Doctrinal Sermon or the Missionary Sermon shall not be eligible to preach the same or other sermon within ten years. No person shall be eligible to preach both messages in the same year. The Alternate Preachers read the Scripture for the Doctrinal and Missionary Sermons. (Adopted 1993; Amended 2001)

11. The Convention officers shall be elected no later than Tuesday afternoon. (Adopted 1995)

12. The Convention officers shall be installed in office at the final session of the annual meeting of the Convention. (Adopted 1995)

13. The annual Convention shall end at the time determined by the President and the Order of Business Committee. (Adopted 1995; Amended 2012)

14. The Order of Business Committee shall provide for a time for the introduction of business and all business being introduced during this time shall be referred immediately to the Order of Business committee which shall report to the Convention and the President each item of business upon which the President may rule, suggest appropriate referral, or announce the time for the consideration of the item of business. (Adopted 1995)

15. The counting of ballots shall be observed by the Recording Secretary or Assistant Recording Secretary and the Convention Attorney. The ballots shall be automatically recounted when the differences in the results is one hundred (100) or less. The Recording Secretary shall return to the convention hall with the ballot count and the President shall recognize the Recording Secretary at the earliest opportunity. If the Convention is not in session when the ballot counting is completed, the Recording Secretary shall post an interim report on the door or in the immediate


vicinity of the Teller’s Room. When an interim report is posted, the President shall recognize the Recording Secretary at the next session for the official report. (Adopted 1995)

16. A proposed resolution, in order to be considered by the Convention, must be signed and personally delivered by its author or his designee to the Recording Secretary, or one of the Assistant Recording Secretaries, by the end of the Monday evening session of the Convention. All proposed resolutions will be automatically referred to the Committee on Resolutions without discussion, except where the president of the Convention rules that a proposed resolution shall be considered at the time offered or referred. The Committee on Resolutions shall review proposed resolutions and shall present appropriate resolutions to the Convention for its consideration. Whenever possible, resolutions presented by the Committee on Resolutions for consideration by the Convention shall be available to messengers prior to the presentation of the report. (Adopted 1997) (Amended 2015)

17. The time limit for nominating speeches shall be three (3) minutes for the office of president and two (2) minutes for the office of vice-president. (Adopted 1999; Amended 2001)


REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

I. Responsibilities, Organization, and Officers 1. Responsibilities of the Executive Committee 2. Organizational Meeting of the Executive Committee/Officers of Executive

Committee 3. Members of the Administration Committee 4. Members of the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation Board of

Trustees

II. Report on Receipts and Disbursements of Funds and Executive Committee Obligations

1. Total Gifts Received January – June, 2016

III. Report on Matters Referred to the Executive Committee by the Convention 1. Indebtedness of Georgia Baptist Executive Committee and Institutions

IV. State Missions Administration 1. State Missions Funding 2. State Missions Ministries 3. State Missionaries

V. Promotion of Georgia and Southern Baptist Ministries 1. The Ministries of Georgia and Southern Baptists 2. The Church Retirement Plan and Protection Program 3. Bridges Celebrations 4. Disaster Relief

VI. Report of Executive Committee Actions 1. Name Change for Truett-McConnell College 2. Changes in Executive Committee Bylaws 3. Resolution in Support of Mike Griffin 4. Resolution Regarding Transgender Issues 5. Gift of the Georgia Baptist Conference Center at Norman Park to Shorter University 6. Changes in Georgia Baptist Convention Constitution 7. Addition to the Church Affiliation/Disaffiliation Policy 8. Appointment of a Task Force 9. Location of March 2017 Meeting of Executive Committee 10. Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Truett-McConnell College

VII. Special Recommendations Requiring Convention Action 1. Recommendations Concerning Convention Operations

2. Recommendation of 2017 Cooperative Program Budget 3. Recommendation of 2017 Calendar of Activities


I. RESPONSIBILITIES, ORGANIZATION, AND OFFICERS

1. The Responsibilities of the Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia are: (1) Receipt and disbursement of gifts for Baptist causes; (2) Study and action upon matters referred to the Committee by the Convention; (3) Administration of the State Missions Program; (4) Promotion of all of the work of Georgia and Southern Baptists; (5) “The Executive Committee shall have charge and control of all work, business, and affairs of the Convention, including missions, education, and benevolence, in the interim between meetings of the Convention and any action of the Executive Committee shall be in all matters the action of the Convention and shall be binding upon the Convention unless such action is contrary to a specific Convention policy or instruction that has been previously recorded in the minutes of the Convention.” [Constitution of the Georgia Baptist Convention, Article VI, Section 5(a).]

2. The Organizational Meeting of the Executive Committee was held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, in the chapel of the Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center. Mike Stone was elected to serve as chairman, and Andy Childs was elected to serve as vice-chairman. Debbie Gaines serves as administrative secretary. 3. Members of the Administration Committee are: David Mills (Executive Committee, 2015), Jack Lee (Executive Committee, 2016), Carl Marshall (Executive Committee, 2016), Jimmy Blanton (Executive Committee 2017), Tim Jones (Executive Committee, 2017), Don Patterson (Executive Committee, 2017), Fred Lodge (Executive Committee, 2018), Jimmy Patterson (Executive Committee, 2018), Stephen Fountain (Executive Committee, 2020), and Executive Committee Chairman, Mike Stone (Executive Committee, 2018), Convention President, Thomas Hammond, and Executive Director, J. Robert White serve ex officio. Carl Marshall was elected to serve as chairman, and Tim Jones was elected to serve as vice-chairman. Debbie Gaines serves as administrative secretary.

4. Members of the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation Board of Trustees are: Bob Jolly (At Large, 2016), Jim Holmes (Executive Committee, 2017), Raymond Moody (At Large, 2017), Grady Caldwell (Executive Committee, 2018), *Jackie Hardy (Executive Committee, 2018), Royce Hulett (Executive Committee 2019), *Houston Bass (At Large, 2019), *Leland Strange (At Large, 2020), and Danny Henson (Executive Committee, 2020). Jim Holmes was elected to serve as chairman, and Raymond Moody was elected to serve as vice-chairman. Executive Director, J. Robert White, and President/CEO Will Bacon serve ex officio, and J. Robert White serves as secretary-treasurer.


II. REPORT ON RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF FUNDS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OBLIGATIONS

1. Total Gifts Received. Gifts received during the first six months of 2016 through the Cooperative Program were 1.37 percent less than Cooperative Program receipts of the first six months of 2015. The total gifts received by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board during the first six months of 2016 were 0.55 percent less than the total receipts of the first six months of 2015. The complete record of the entire year will be provided in the 2016 Convention Annual report.


III. REPORT OF MATTERS REFERRED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BY THE CONVENTION

1. Indebtedness of the Executive Committee and the Georgia Baptist Institutions. The current indebtedness of the Executive Committee and the Georgia Baptist institutions was reviewed by the Executive Committee. On June 30, 2016, Georgia Baptist institutions were indebted in the amount of $60,503,553 with $44,458,227 being long term debt and $16,045,327 being short term debt.


IV. STATE MISSIONS ADMINISTRATION

The state missions ministries of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board are directed by the Administration Committee under policies established and a budget adopted by the Executive Committee and the Convention in its annual meeting. The ministries are organized into various ministry and operations areas as described on the Mission Board website (gabaptist.org), and in the Annual Report. The Executive Director is the chief executive officer who oversees the Georgia Baptist Mission Board ministries and is responsible to the Administration and Executive Committees for effective stewardship of the resources of the Mission Board.

1. State Missions Funding. Georgia Baptist Mission Board state missionaries and ministries are supported through the Mission Georgia Offering, Cooperative Program gifts from Georgia Baptists, and funds available through LifeWay Christian Resources, and the North American Mission Board. The Mission Georgia Offering is to state missions in Georgia what the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is to International Mission Board ministries and what the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is to North American Mission Board ministries.

2. State Missions Ministries. To reduce lostness in Georgia, our ministries are focused upon the 5 Smooth Stones of spiritual renewal, Kingdom generosity, church revitalization, church planting, and authentic evangelism. These five priorities were approved by messengers at the 2011 Annual Meeting, and in 2012 our missionaries began aligning all ministries around the 5 Smooth Stones.

Georgia Baptist state missionaries are engaging with churches and associations to elevate and implement each of the five priorities. Their strategy is broadly built on COMMUNICATING the value of each of the 5 Smooth Stones, CONNECTING with every association and congregation to elevate and assist them with their priorities, CHALLENGING leaders to focus on each of

the five stones, and CELEBRATING those who progress in implementation of any or all of the five areas of focus. The strategy was developed with input from pastors and associational missionaries and includes “action points” that direct Georgia Baptist ministries. Visit the5smoothstones.com for more information and contact your missionaries to assist you in spiritual renewal, Kingdom generosity, church revitalization, church planting, and authentic evangelism.

3. State Missionaries. Purpose Statement: Georgia Baptist state missionaries exist to make disciples and to equip Georgia Baptists to make disciples who intentionally share Christ with the lost. Vision Statement: Georgia Baptist state missionaries seek to reduce lostness by focusing with Baptists on spiritual renewal resulting in Kingdom generosity, church revitalization, church planting, and authentic evangelism. Georgia Baptist state missionaries and missionary support staff serve our churches, associations, and each Georgia Baptist through training, consultation, resources, and encouragement. The Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center located at 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth serves as a place from which your missionaries and Georgia Baptists are trained, offices are housed, and resources are developed to support the statewide and worldwide ministry of Georgia and Southern Baptists. The grounds and building strongly reflect the message of Jesus Christ through the symbol of the cross and various pieces of art depicting biblical messages in the Old Testament

http://www.gabaptist.org/


and New Testament lobby areas. The interactive history center and historical archives serve as a reminder of the many years that Georgia and Southern Baptists have faithfully shared the name of Jesus with the world. “The Kingdom Generosity Collection,” an exhibition of stewardship art and artifacts, is housed at the Missions and Ministry Center. Georgia Baptists are encouraged to visit the center. Personally guided tours are available by contacting Support Services at 770-455-0404 or 800-RING-GBC (800-746-4422). You may contact your state missionaries by phone at 800-RING-GBC (800-746-4422), 770-455-0404, or by email (phone numbers and email addresses are provided on the Mission Board website, in the Missions and Ministries Guide and the Annual Report). Abundant information and many resources regarding each missionary and available ministries are found on the Mission Board website (gabaptist.org). In addition to the missionaries who work and minister from the Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center, regional state missionaries are located in three regions of Georgia who may also be contacted at 800-RING-GBC or the email address provided below:

Charles Drummond, North Georgia Region, Augusta, [email protected]

Harris Malcom, Middle Georgia Region, Monroe, [email protected]

Mike Everson, South Georgia Region, Valdosta, [email protected]

V. PROMOTION OF GEORGIA BAPTIST AND SOUTHERN BAPTIST MINISTRIES

1. The ministries of Georgia and Southern Baptists have been promoted throughout the year. The Cooperative Program has been presented as the primary source of support for all of the work in which Georgia and Southern Baptists are engaged. Churches are continuously encouraged to support Baptist work through the Cooperative Program with an emphasis upon the importance of each church placing the Cooperative Program in their budgets on a percentage basis, with the percentage increased by 1% annually.

2. The Church Retirement Plan and Protection Program of Georgia and Southern Baptists has been presented as a means of providing pastors, church staff, and their families with needed protection. Churches have been encouraged to provide church retirement benefits for the church staff. It is recommended that churches provide a minimum of ten percent annual retirement contribution to each full-time church employee’s church retirement account at GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. During the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2016, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board had 1,419 active churches with 4,061 pastors and other employees participating in the Church Retirement Plan. GuideStone emphasizes the importance of enlisting all churches and pastors in the church retirement plan, with particular emphasis upon the enlistment of young ministers as they begin their service. It is the objective of the Executive Committee to encourage and enlist every pastor and church in the Church Retirement Plan and Protection Benefits Plan.

3. 3. Bridges Celebrations. The purpose of Bridges to Missions events is stated as “Churches Together Reaching the Nations at Home and Abroad.” The celebration is normally a weekend

http://www.gabaptist.org/

mailto:[email protected]




event in local Baptist associations scheduled through the Cooperative Program office of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. During this time, attention is given to the following:

The Great Commission as the biblical basis of missions

Generosity in missions commitment

Financial support for all four missions fields in Acts 1:8 Georgia Baptists can discover more about how their churches are engaged in meeting mission needs in Georgia and around the world by participating in a Bridges to Missions event. This mission experience in the local church and local association connects Georgia Baptists with the heartbeat of the missionaries they cooperatively support. Church members learn how their mission contributions accomplish the Great Commission in Georgia and across the world. The event usually begins on Saturday evening with a fellowship meal in which pastors and their spouses, along with a key lay couple from each church, enjoy inspiration and prayer for the mission outreach supported by their churches through their local association and the Cooperative Program. On the following Sunday, state missionaries are requested by the churches to preach a mission sermon about how Southern Baptists obey the Great Commission through cooperation, prayer, giving, and going. In 2016, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board partnered with the Hispanic Baptist Fellowship of Greater Atlanta, Centennial Baptist Association, and the Augusta Baptist Association to host three outstanding Bridges to Missions events.

4. Disaster Relief. Disaster Relief. As of January 2016, the ministry of Disaster Relief moved to a new department within the Georgia Baptist Mission Board: Community Missions and Disaster Response. One of the great results of this move is an increased focus, not just on the credentialed volunteers of the Disaster Relief ministry, but also on disaster preparedness of local churches. Our goal is to help your church develop your own plan for disaster response. That should include weather related disasters as well as potential issues related to security. In January 2017, Southern Baptists will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Disaster Relief! As we look back over a half century of the Lord’s blessings, we will also look ahead to what this ministry needs to look like in the years and decades to come. Please pray for us as we continually strive to be an effective, Southern Baptist ministry committed to advancing the Kingdom of our Lord! Information about future training opportunities is available at gbcdisasterrelief.org or by calling 770-936-5254.

http://www.gbcdisasterrelief.org/


VI. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ACTIONS

1. Name Change for Truett-McConnell College

At the December 15, 2015 meeting of the Executive Committee, motion was made and was approved to allow the change in name of Truett-McConnell College to Truett-McConnell University. 2. Changes in the Executive Committee Bylaws At the December 15, 2015 meeting, the Executive Committee approved the following changes in the Executive Committee Bylaws:

BYLAWS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OF THE BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA (Changes noted in yellow and deleted words show as stricken)

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

Membership on the Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia (“Executive Committee”) shall be determined by the Constitution of the Georgia Baptist Convention.

ARTICLE II. MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Meetings. The Executive Committee shall hold regular meetings four times a year. The first meeting will be in December, after the Georgia Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, a meeting will be in March and in September and a meeting will be in November in connection with and at the time and place of the annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The December meeting shall be the Executive Committee’s annual meeting. The time, date and place for each regular meeting for the year shall be announced set by the Chairman at the annual meeting, subject to change by the Executive Committee. The time, date and place for the annual meeting shall be made in a written notice mailed sent by regular mail or email to each member of the Executive Committee at least five days before the day of the meeting. Section 2. Called Meetings. A called meeting of the Executive Committee may be set upon the call of the Chairman or the Executive Director, or where a written petition of at least twenty members of the Executive Committee seeking a called meeting and stating the reason for the meeting therein is delivered to the Chairman or the Executive Director. A petitioned meeting shall be called by either the Chairman or the Executive Director within five days of receipt of the petition and such meeting shall be set at a time no more than thirty days from receipt of the petition. Written notice of a called meeting shall state the time, date and place of the meeting and the purpose for the meeting and shall be sent by regular mail or email mailed to each member of the Executive Committee at least five days before the meeting. The called meeting shall be limited to the purpose stated in the notice of the meeting.


Section 3. Quorum. A quorum for all meetings shall be fifty members, which shall include ex officio members.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS Section 1. Chairman and Vice Chairman. The Executive Committee shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman who shall perform the usual and customary duties of such office. They shall be elected annually at the December meeting and will assume their duties at the end of such meeting. They shall serve until their successors have been duly elected and qualified and may not serve more than two, one-year terms in such office and may not then serve in such office again. The Chairman shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the Executive Committee. Section 2. Executive Director. The Executive Committee shall elect an Executive Director who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Committee. He shall serve until a successor has been duly elected. (a) Duties of the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall have the duties and responsibilities as are usual and customary for a president and chief executive officer. He shall be responsible for direction of the work of the Executive Committee and for all of its business and affairs. He shall employ and be in charge of all employees. He shall be the custodian of all documents and records of the Executive Committee, shall receive as custodian all funds remitted to the Executive Committee and shall disburse all such funds as authorized by the Executive Committee, the Administration Committee, or as designated by the donors. The Executive Director or his designee shall attend all meetings of the Executive Committee, the Administration Committee and other committees of the Executive Committee. He shall perform such other duties as assigned or delegated to him by the Executive Committee or the Administration Committee and shall report to the Executive Committee and Administration Committee as required. The Executive Director shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the Executive Committee. (b) Assistant Executive Director. The Executive Director shall recommend a person to serve as Assistant Executive Director who shall be approved by the Administration Committee. The Assistant Executive Director shall assist the Executive Director and perform such duties and responsibilities as assigned or delegated by the Executive Director. The Assistant Executive Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Director. Section 3. Administrative Secretary. The Executive Committee shall have an Administrative Secretary and an Assistant Administrative Secretary who shall be appointed by the Executive Director and shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Director. The Administrative Secretary shall perform the usual and customary duties of secretary and serve as recording secretary for the Executive Committee and the Administration Committee.

ARTICLE IV. ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Section 1. Election and Term of Members. The Executive Committee shall elect an Administration Committee which shall consist of nine members elected by the Executive Committee along with the President of the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Chairman of the Executive Committee. Members elected to the


Administration Committee shall serve during their term on the Executive Committee and at its December meeting the Executive Committee shall elect new members for those whose terms have expired. Should a person already serving on the Administration Committee be elected President of the Georgia Baptist Convention or Chairman of the Executive Committee, such person’s position on the Administration Committee shall be considered an interim vacancy for the time such person is serving in such elected office and a replacement member shall be named to serve in such position by the Administration Committee and then affirmed by the Executive Committee at its next meeting. The replacement member shall serve as a member of the Administration Committee until the earlier of the term of the member replaced ends, or the person replaced is no longer in office, whereupon such person leaving office shall complete his term as a member of the Administration Committee. Any person who served as a replacement member shall be eligible to be subsequently elected to serve as a member. Should a vacancy occur in the membership of the Administration Committee for any reason other than expiration of a term, a person shall be named to serve in such position by the Administration Committee until the December meeting of the Executive Committee, when such position shall be filled by the Executive Committee’s normal election process. Six members of the Administration Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Administration Committee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman. Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities. The Administration Committee shall have charge of all business and affairs of the Executive Committee in the interim between the meetings of the Executive Committee and shall act as the audit committee. The action of the Administration Committee shall be in all matters the action of the Executive Committee and shall be binding upon the Executive Committee, unless such action is contrary to a specific policy or instruction of the Executive Committee. Section 3. Regular Meetings. The Administration Committee shall meet as necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Regular meetings will normally be scheduled monthly. The time, date and place of all regular meetings will be set in advance by the Chairman Administration Committee and the Executive Director. Notice of all meetings will be provided to members of the Administration Committee. Section 4. Called Meetings. A called meeting of the Administration Committee may be set upon the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the Chairman of the Administration Committee or the Executive Director. Notice of a called meeting shall state the time, date and place of the meeting and the purpose for the meeting and shall be provided to each member of the Administration Committee at least two days before the meeting. The Administration Committee may consider and take action on any matter or business needing attention at a called meeting. Section 5. Telephonic Meeting or Action Without Meeting. The Administration Committee shall be able to take action or conduct a meeting where all members participating may simultaneously hear each other during such meeting or by action taken without a meeting provided such action is evidenced by one or more consents describing the action taken and signed by a majority of the members. Section 6. Reports. The Administration Committee shall present a report at each regular meeting of the Executive Committee as needed covering appropriate


matters, such as administration, finance, personnel and other activities of the Administration Committee.

ARTICLE V. STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees. The Executive Committee shall have three standing committees: the Committee on Committees, the Cooperative Program Budget Committee, and the Church Membership Committee. (a) Committee on Committees. The Committee on Committees shall consist of not less than seven nor more than twelve members who are appointed annually by the Chairman at the September meeting. The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall appoint the committee chairman. This committee shall be responsible for nominating persons to serve on the Administration Committee and the Board of Directors of The Christian Index. It shall also nominate persons to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, Inc., with the concurrence of the Executive Director as to the persons nominated. This committee shall make its report to the Executive Committee at the December meeting. (b) Cooperative Program Budget Committee. The Cooperative Program Budget Committee shall consist of twelve members with each serving a two year term and six rotating off each year. Members are appointed by the Chairman of the Executive Committee at the March meeting and the Chairman also names the committee chairman. Vacancies occurring on the committee are filled by the Chairman. The Convention’s rotation policy shall apply to this committee. This committee shall be aware of the resources and income of the Georgia Baptist Convention, the financial needs of the Convention and its programs, ministries, activities, and institutions, and, in cooperation with the Executive Director, shall propose a Cooperative Program budget for the following year. This committee shall make its budget report to the Executive Committee at the September meeting. (c) Church Membership Committee. The Church Membership Committee shall consist of seven members appointed annually by the Chairman of the Executive Committee at the March meeting. It is recommended that the Chairman appoint four new members each year and reappoint three members to serve an additional year. The Chairman of the Executive Committee will name the chair of the committee. No member may serve on the committee for more than three consecutive years. This committee shall be aware of churches seeking to affiliate with the Georgia Baptist Convention on the basis of affiliation with a local Baptist association or affiliation in an at-large status. The committee shall also counsel and inform new churches concerning membership issues related to the Convention. The committee will make a report to the Executive Committee at its November meeting, and will welcome the new member churches that will be introduced to the Convention at its November annual meeting.

Section 2. Special or Ad Hoc Committees. The Executive Committee may by its action or approval create a special or ad hoc committee for a specific or special purpose. The members of any such committee shall be named by the Chairman unless otherwise specified by the Executive Committee. If members are named by the Chairman, he shall have the authority to replace or add members should the need arise, unless contrary to


the instruction of the Executive Committee. After any such committee completes its task, it shall be dissolved. Section 3. President of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The President of the Georgia Baptist Convention shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. Board of Trustees of Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation,

Inc. The Executive Committee shall elect the trustees to serve on the Board of Trustees of Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, Inc. The Board of Trustees shall consist of not less than seven or more than eleven trustees. At least one-half of the trustees elected annually shall be serving as members of the Executive Committee at the time of their election and other trustees shall be elected from the Convention at Large. Trustees shall be nominated to the Executive Committee by the Committee on Committees. The Executive Director of the Executive Committee shall provide the Committee on Committees with suggested criteria and standards identifying needed skills and requirements for trustees and shall provide recommendations of persons to serve as trustees. The Committee on Committees shall nominate persons with the concurrence of the Executive Director as to the persons nominated. Trustees shall be elected to a five-year term which shall begin on January 1st after their election and vacant positions on the Board of Trustees shall be filled by the Executive Committee at its annual meeting in December. The Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, Inc. shall serve as ex officio members of the Board of Trustees with voting rights and the Executive Director shall serve as its Secretary-Treasurer. The Board of Trustees shall have the duties and responsibilities as set out in the Georgia Nonprofit Corporation Code and its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Board of Trustees shall report to the Executive Committee as requested. Section 2. Board of Directors of The Christian Index. The Executive Committee shall elect persons to serve on the Board of Directors of The Christian Index. The Board shall consist of ten elected members, with each member serving a five-year term. Such Board members shall be elected from persons serving on the Executive Committee and from the Convention at Large, with five of the Board’s members being elected from persons serving on the Executive Committee at the time of their election to the Board and five of the Board’s members being elected from the Convention at Large. The Committee on Committees shall nominate persons to serve on the Board and vacant positions on the Board shall be filled at the December meeting. The Executive Director shall be a permanent member of the Board and shall serve as its treasurer. The Board shall have duties and responsibilities for all management and operations of The Christian Index. The Board shall report to the Executive Committee as requested. Implementation of this Section as it relates to the number of members elected from the Executive Committee and the Convention at large shall be through the normal election process. Section 32. Rotation and Attendance Policy. No person serving as an elected member of the Board of Trustees of Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, Inc., or the Board of Directors of The Christian Index shall be eligible for re-election to the same Board until such person has been off the Board for one year; provided, however, where


a person is elected to replace another member and where the replacement member will serve less than one-half of the original term, such person shall be eligible for re-election to such Board. Any person serving as an elected member of any such Board who misses at least fifty percent of the Board’s meetings during any year without obtaining an excused absence for a meeting missed from its chairperson, shall forfeit their membership on the Board.

ARTICLE VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Bond for Certain Persons. The Executive Director and such other employees as are needed to assist in the handling of funds received by the Executive Committee shall give bond satisfactory to the Executive Committee. Section 2. Incurring Financial Obligation. No officer, employee or agent of the Executive Committee shall have the right to incur any long-term debt for or in behalf of the Executive Committee, except as authorized by the Executive Committee or the Administration Committee. Section 3. No Compensation for Members. No person serving as a member of the Executive Committee shall be compensated for such service; however, such person may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in such service.

ARTICLE VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised (Latest Edition), shall govern the Executive Committee in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Executive Committee may adopt.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose upon a two-thirds vote of the persons voting. Written notice of the proposed amendment shall be provided to members of the Executive Committee at least fifteen days in advance of any vote.

3. Resolution in Support of Mike Griffin

At the March 15, 2016 meeting of the Executive Committee, Chairman Mike Stone expressed support for Mike Griffin and presented the following resolution and it was approved.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MIKE GRIFFIN WHEREAS, Mike Griffin is a faithful Georgia Baptist pastor and Public Affairs

Representative of the Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia, operating as the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and has provided firm and resolute service as our Public Affairs Representative; and

WHEREAS, the messengers to the annual meeting of Georgia Baptists, meeting in Marietta, Georgia on November 10, 2015, passed a resolution entitled, “RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A STATE-LEVEL FIRST AMENDMENT ACT,” which resolved that “Georgia Baptists (should) urge the state legislature to pass and the governor to sign both the 1993 version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and a state level First Amendment Defense Act;” and


WHEREAS, in the course of performing the duties assigned to him by this Executive Committee through its Chief Executive Officer, Mike Griffin issued a call, consistent with the resolution of our state convention, for churches to engage in the political process on the matter of religious liberty; and

WHEREAS, this call to church action was published on March 4, 2016, via The Christian Index in an online article entitled, “Georgia Religious Freedom Being ‘Held in the Balance;’” and

WHEREAS, on Thursday, March 10, 2016, members of the House of Representatives, including several Georgia Baptists, mischaracterized Mike Griffin and his March 4 Index article and rebuked him from the well of the House of Representatives of the Georgia General Assembly, leading to significant criticism of him in social media, on WSB-TV, and in multiple articles in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Baptist News Global (a CBF-funded news service);

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 affirms its unwavering support for the work of Pastor Mike Griffin as our Public Affairs Representative and of our Executive Director/CEO, Dr. J. Robert White, for his capable oversight of our public affairs office; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we commend Dr. J. Gerald Harris for the initial publication of the March 4, 2016 article and for his subsequent editorial, published on March 11, 2016, entitled, “What’s In the Well Comes Up in the Bucket,” in which he offered a bold defense of Mike Griffin in the face of these criticisms; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we reaffirm the call of our state convention that all Georgia Baptists, duly reminded in this matter of the historical danger of silence from the faith community, urge the state legislature to pass meaningful and comprehensive religious liberty protections; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we express our commitment to fulfill the Biblical mandate of 1 Timothy 2:1-4 in praying for God’s divine wisdom for Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, House Speaker David Ralston, the membership of the Georgia General Assembly, and the leadership of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

4. Resolution Regarding Transgender Issues At the December 15, 2015 meeting of the Executive Committee, a motion was made and was approved that a resolution be written regarding transgender issues that may be used by Georgia Baptist schools to request Title 9 exemption. The following resolution was approved by electronic communication to members on February 3, 2016:

RESOLUTION ON TRANSGENDER ISSUES

WHEREAS, the Bible is the authority for faith and practice by Georgia Baptists, the Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia, and the Executive Committee’s institutions; and

WHEREAS, the Bible states that God created humanity as two genders, male and female, and this includes Jesus’ own affirmation (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6); and

WHEREAS, in the Bible gender is based on biological attributes and is seen as a gift from God and immutable; and


WHEREAS, some people today are expressing a desire to identify themselves with the gender which differs from their biological gender; and

WHEREAS, some of these persons are seeking to function in the broader society as if they are members of the gender that differs from their biological gender.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia expresses great concern with the emergence of the transgender agenda and the notion that one’s gender is determined psychologically, not biologically; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we affirm that in creation God made male and female as biological gender assignment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we desire for all people, including those who consider themselves transgender, to be treated with love and respect but that such love and respect not be construed as approval for every behavior; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we seek to minister to all persons, including those who consider themselves transgender; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we reaffirm our confidence in the life changing power of the Gospel to all who believe and commit to sharing the good news of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ with all individuals.

5. Gifting the Georgia Baptist Conference Center at Norman Park to Shorter University. At the March 15, 2016 meeting of the Executive Committee, the following recommendation to authorize a gift of the Georgia Baptist Conference Center at Norman Park to Shorter University was approved:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE GIFTING THE GEORGIA BAPTIST CONFERENCE CENTER AT NORMAN PARK

TO SHORTER UNIVERSITY

The Georgia Baptist Conference Center at Norman Park, located at 4243 US Highway 319N, Norman Park, Colquitt County, Georgia 31771, consists of approximately 32.05 acres and includes buildings with guest rooms and meeting rooms, a dining hall, an auditorium, a gymnasium, and a chapel (herein “Norman Park Conference Center”). All of such property is owned by the Executive Committee of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia.

On March 8, 2016, the Administration Committee approved a motion to recommend to the Executive Committee that the Executive Committee make a gift of the Norman Park Conference Center to Shorter University. This gift allows Shorter University to reflect the value of the Norman Park Conference Center on its books as it works within financial guidelines of the Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Shorter University has stated that it will explore expanding its educational opportunities, its ministry resource center and/or continuing as an assembly at such location.

The Administration Committee recommends to the Executive Committee the following motion:


1. That the Executive Committee make a gift of the Norman Park Conference Center, to include land and buildings, furnishings, and fixtures, to Shorter University.

2. That based on an appraisal prepared by Metro Appraisals, Inc., dated February 27, 2013, the market value for Norman Park Conference Center on such date was $4,200,000.

3. That this gift of the Norman Park Conference Center is without restriction to be set forth in the deed of gift. That Shorter University will accept and acknowledge the gift from the Executive Committee.

4. That the Executive Director/CEO has full authority to negotiate, enter into,

execute, and deliver such documents, deeds, agreements, and other

instruments, on such terms as he determines to be appropriate and in the best

interest of the Executive Committee to carry out the purpose and intent of this

action.

5. That all prior actions of the Executive Director/CEO and other officers of the

Executive Committee in regard to the action contemplated in this motion are

hereby ratified and approved as acts of the Executive Committee.

6. Changes in the Georgia Baptist Convention Constitution At the September 13, 2016 meeting of the Executive Committee, changes to the Georgia Baptist Convention Constitution were approved. (Changes noted in highlighted sections with deleted words stricken and added words underlined.)

CONSTITUTION OF THE BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA

Originally Adopted 1919 Amended 2009

Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of this body shall be the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia. Section 2. The Georgia Baptist Convention is a living partnership voluntary association of churches growing in grace, strengthening one another in faith and working together in obedience to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Article II. Membership Section 1. This body shall be composed of messengers from cooperating Baptist Churches. A cooperating church is one that gives evidence of its belief in Holy Scripture as its authority in matters of faith and practice and is in harmony and cooperation with the work and purpose of this Convention. A cooperating church does not include a church which knowingly takes, or has taken, any action to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior. Section 2. Messengers. Each cooperating church, having contributed through the Convention for the Cooperative Program and Convention causes during the preceding year, shall be entitled to two messengers and to one additional messenger for each $800


contributed through this Convention for the Cooperative Program and Convention causes, but in no case shall any church be entitled to more than fifteen (15) messengers. Section 3. Voting by proxy is not permitted.

Article III. Meetings

Section 1. The Convention shall meet at least once each year, the time and place to be fixed by the Convention or the Executive Committee. The dates and places of meetings shall be planned two years in advance. Section 2. Special Meetings. The Convention may be called into a special meeting by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee. The call for the special meeting shall state the purpose of the meeting and the time, date and place for the meeting. The meeting shall be held no sooner than twenty-one days or later than sixty days after action of the Executive Committee to call the meeting. Notice of the purpose, time, date and place for the special meeting shall be published in The Christian Index in a notice at least the size of one-half page in a minimum of two issues with the second issue published at least seven days before the date of the meeting shall be published on the website of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board for no less than two weeks immediately prior to the date of the meeting. The special meeting shall be limited to the purpose stated by the Executive Committee. Section 3. Quorum. The quorum for the annual meetings or special meetings shall be ten percent of the registered messengers.

Article IV. Powers

Section 1. This Convention shall never attempt to exercise authority over any Church, but shall always cheerfully recognize and uphold the Churches' autonomy under Christ. Section 2. The Convention shall receive funds for the approved work of the Convention and its agencies and shall dispense these funds according to the expressed will and direction of the donors.

Article V. Officers Section 1. Officers. The officers of the Convention shall be a president, four vice presidents, a secretary and two assistant secretaries, each of whom shall be elected at each annual meeting by the registered messengers and who shall hold their offices until their successors are elected. The officers shall assume office at the close of the Convention at which they are elected. The vice presidents shall be elected by plurality, without regard to receiving a majority of the total votes, the first vice president being the person receiving the most votes and the other vice presidents serving in the positions in order of the number of votes received, and all other officers shall be elected by majority. Their duties shall be those usually discharged by such officers. No person shall serve as president more than two years, and thereafter shall not be eligible for re-election to that office. No person shall be nominated and elected as an officer who is not a registered messenger of the Convention at the time of the nomination. Section 2. If the President, for any reason, is unable to complete the term for which elected, then the first vice president shall immediately become President and shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the first Vice-President is unable to serve, the Vice-President receiving the next highest number of votes shall fill the office.


Section 3. Ex Officio Membership. The president shall serve as an ex officio member of all standing and special committees of the Convention. Section 4. Appointment of Committee on Nominations. The president shall appoint the Committee on Nominations and the chairman of the committee.

Article VI. Boards, Commissions And Committees Section 1. Executive Committee Membership. An Executive Committee of the Convention shall be elected by the Convention and its membership shall consist of one member elected from each cooperating association and twenty members elected from the state at large, with each member being elected for a five-year term. It is requested that at least one-half of the at-large positions elected annually to serve on the Executive Committee be laypersons. Membership on the Executive Committee shall also include the officers of the Convention, the president of the Georgia Baptist Pastors Conference, the president of the Georgia Baptist Religious Education Association Georgia Baptist Association of Christian Educators, the president of the Georgia Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union, the president of the Georgia Baptist Student Union Collegiate Ministries, the president of the Georgia Baptist Music Conference, the president of the Fellowship of Retired Ministers, the two representatives elected annually by the Ethnic Advisory Council for one-year terms, the president of the Preaching Conference, and the president of the Georgia Baptist Ministers Wives Fellowship, with all such persons serving as ex-officio members, and the president of the African American Fellowship who shall be a member of a cooperating Georgia Baptist church in good standing. Section 2. Executive Committee Membership Eligibility. No person who is regularly employed by or who is a member of a governing board of any institution, agency or entity included in the budget of the Convention and whose trustees or directors are elected by the Convention, shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Executive Committee, except as an ex officio member. No person who is regularly employed by any institution, agency or entity shall be eligible to serve as a member of any governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of such institution, agency or entity which is appointed or elected by the Convention. No person serving as an elected member of the Executive Committee shall be eligible for re-election to membership on the Executive Committee after the expiration of their term of service or after a forfeiture of such service, until such person has been off the Executive Committee for at least one year; provided, however, where a person is elected to replace another member and where the replacement member will serve less than one-half of the original term, such person shall be eligible for re-election to membership on the Executive Committee. A person elected as a member of the Executive Committee as a representative of a cooperating association must be an active member of a church which is a part of such association. If, subsequent to the election, such person ceases to be a member of a church which is a part of the association, then that person shall be ineligible to serve on the Executive Committee; provided, however, that such person may continue to serve on the Executive Committee until the next annual meeting of the Convention if the association recommends to the Convention that the person be allowed to continue as the association’s representative on the Executive Committee. At the next meeting of the Convention, the Convention shall elect another qualified person to serve in such position. Section 3. Executive Committee Attendance. Any elected member of the Executive Committee who misses all of the Executive Committee meetings during any year of their


term, shall forfeit their membership on the Executive Committee. Any elected member of the Executive Committee who misses at least fifty percent of such meetings during any year without contacting the office of the Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of the State of Georgia Georgia Baptist Mission Board and receiving an excused absence for any meeting missed shall forfeit their membership on the Executive Committee. Persons serving as members of any governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of a Convention institution, agency or entity, who are elected or appointed to such position by the Convention, and who do not attend at least fifty percent of the meetings during any year, without being excused from a meeting by the appropriate chairman, shall forfeit their membership on such board, body, commission or committee. Any vacancy occurring due to forfeiture shall be reported to the Executive Committee and the Convention shall follow its regular procedure in electing a person to fill such vacancy with no interim replacements being made. The rotation policy of the Executive Committee shall apply to those persons appointed or elected by the Convention to any governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of any Convention institution, agency or entity. Section 4. Executive Committee Vacancy. Any vacancy occurring in an elected position on the Executive Committee, caused by any reason, shall be filled by the Convention at its next annual meeting. Section 5. Executive Committee Authority. (a) Standing Authority. The Executive Committee shall have charge and control of all work, business, and affairs of the Convention, including missions, education, and benevolence, in the interim between meetings of the Convention and any action of the Executive Committee shall be in all matters the action of the Convention and shall be binding upon the Convention unless such action is contrary to a specific Convention policy or instruction that has been previously recorded in the minutes of the Convention. (b) Emergency Authority. When an emergency occurs in any of the affairs of the Convention, or in any of the interests it controls, that, in the judgment of the Executive Committee, requires action before the next meeting of the Convention, the Executive Committee in that case shall have full authority to take such action as it determines appropriate, and all parties shall be bound by its action; provided, however, that it must report to the next annual meeting of the Convention all the facts in each case and the action taken. Nothing in this section shall be construed as giving the Executive Committee authority over any matter already committed by the Convention to any of its boards of trustees. (c) Cooperating Churches. Should matters of concern arise from either (i) official action of an association, (ii) action of the Executive Committee, or (iii) action of the Convention, as to whether a church is a cooperating church, the matter shall be referred to the office of the executive director. The executive director, in consultation with the Administration Committee of the Executive Committee, shall review the matter which shall include hearing the concerns of the body that initiated the process and the concerns of the church, and seeking to restore an appropriate relationship between the church, the association, and the Convention. The executive director shall make recommendation to the Executive Committee which will determine either (i) that no further action is needed, whereupon the matter will be closed, or (ii) that the matter should be referred to the Convention for appropriate action. The Convention by vote of the messengers, can determine that a church does not qualify as a cooperating church,


as defined in Article II, Section 1, whereupon such church shall be excluded from the Convention and all rights and privileges thereof. Section 6. Audits and Bonds. Each governing body, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of any institution, agency or entity included in the budget of the Convention or whose trustees or directors are elected by the Convention shall have its financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles accompanied by an unqualified audit opinion from a certified public accountant and shall have its financial officers placed under bond. Section 7. Committee on Nominations. Within sixty days after each annual meeting of the Convention, the president shall appoint a committee of fifteen, five of whom shall have served on the previous Committee on Nominations, to serve as a Committee on Nominations to report at the next annual meeting, whose duty it shall be to nominate to the Convention all boards, commissions and committees elected by the Convention. A person nominated to the Convention by the Committee on Nominations shall be an active member of a Georgia Baptist church. No person who is nominated by the Committee on Nominations shall serve at the same time on more than one governing board, supervisory body, commission or other board or committee of any institution, agency or entity whose members are elected by the Convention. Furthermore, no member of the Committee on Nominations nor any immediate family member shall be eligible for nomination by the Committee on Nominations. Section 8. Notice by Committee on Nominations. At least ninety days before each annual meeting of the Convention the Committee on Nominations shall publish on the website of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. in The Christian Index the names of the associations from which Executive Committee members will be elected at the next session of the Convention, and it shall at the same time remind the constituency of the Convention within the fellowship of such associations that they may offer suggestions to the Committee on Nominations concerning the Executive Committee members to be elected from within their respective associations. Section 9. Convention Manual and Standing Committees. The Executive Committee shall maintain an official organizational manual which shall be maintained by the Executive Director defining the duties, responsibilities, terms, members, and appointment or election procedures for the members of the boards, commissions and committees of the Convention and shall present to the Convention recommendations regarding any such matters. Section 10. Special Committees. The Convention may by its action or approval create a special committee for a specific or special purpose. The members of any such committee shall be named by the president of the Convention unless otherwise specified by the Convention. After any such committee completes its task, it shall be dissolved. Section 11. The Executive Director shall serve as an ex officio member on all standing and special committees of the Convention.

Section 12. Membership in Georgia Baptist Convention Church. (a) Any person elected by the Georgia Baptist Convention to the Executive

Committee, or to a board, commission or committee, or as an officer, or to any other position shall be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Convention church. In addition, any person elected to the Executive Committee as a representative of a cooperating association shall be an active member of a Georgia Baptist Convention church that is a part of such association.


(b) If a person ceases to be a member of a Georgia Baptist Convention church, or if a representative of an association ceases to be a member of a church in that association, then such person forfeits their remaining term of service and the position becomes vacant; provided, however, a representative of an association, upon written request from the association and approval of the Executive Director, may remain in the position until the next annual meeting of the Convention when the successor representative will be elected. Any vacancy occurring as a result of this section shall be filled by the Convention at its annual meeting. (c) This section shall not apply to persons elected to the board of an institution where the institution’s charter provides at the time this section is adopted that the Committee on Nominations is required to nominate from names received from the institution.

VII. Recognition Of Associations For Representation On The Executive Committee

Section 1. Each new association shall consist of a minimum of fifteen (15) churches which are in harmony and cooperation with the work and purpose of this Convention. This association shall be a self-governing fellowship of churches sharing a common faith, active on mission in their setting, and occupying a geographic area or an affinity relationship of effective ministry which is both reasonable and discernible. Section 2. Each new association shall submit an application provided by the office of the Executive Director which shall require the new association to state the reasons for the recognition of this association for representation on the Executive Committee. All applications must be submitted at least six months prior to the next annual Convention. Section 3. All applications shall be reviewed by a special committee composed of the president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, chairman of the Executive Committee, chairman of the Administration Committee, and the president of the Associational Missionaries Fellowship. The Executive Director and one staff member, appointed by the Executive Director, shall serve as ex officio members of this special committee. Section 4. The Executive Committee shall review the recommendation of the special committee and recommend approval of the application to the Convention or refer the application back to the special committee for further review. All applicant associations shall be recognized for representation on the Executive Committee upon favorable action by the Convention at its annual meeting.

Article VIII. Institutions

Section 1. Definition: An institution is a body whose governing board is elected by the Convention. Section 2. Discontinuance of Relationship. The relationship between the Convention and an institution shall not be discontinued without a majority vote on such action at two consecutive meetings of the Convention, unless the governing board of the institution and the Executive Committee of the Convention concur in such matter; whereupon, action can be taken at one meeting of the Convention and, further, that a notice of the discontinuance of the relationship of an institution of the Convention must be published on the website of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in The Christian Index at least forty-five days before the meeting of the Convention.


Article IX. Amendments Section 1. The Constitution may only be amended as follows: (i) a motion to amend may be made in writing at the annual meeting of the Convention by any messenger and upon the Convention’s vote to consider such amendment, the proposed amendment will be submitted to the Convention for action at its next annual meeting; or (ii) a proposed amendment may be recommended by the Executive Committee in which case it will be submitted directly to the Convention for action. Section 2. A proposed amendment submitted to the Convention for action must be published on the website of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in The Christian Index at least thirty days before the meeting of the Convention and such amendment must be approved by two-thirds of the messengers present and voting.

Article X. Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised (Latest Edition), shall govern the meetings of the Convention in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Convention’s Constitution, bylaws or any special rules of order.

7. Addition to the Church Affiliation/Disaffiliation Policy. At the September 13, 2016 meeting of the Executive Committee, the addition of the following to the Church Affiliation/Disaffiliation Policy was approved.

Section B3(d). (d.) Where a church (i) is terminated or removed from an association; or (ii)

voluntarily withdraws from an association, and where the church intends to make application to remain as a member of the Georgia Baptist Convention as an At-Large member, the church may make a written request to the Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board that the church continue as an interim At-Large member of the Convention during the application process for the church’s At-Large membership. The Executive Director may approve such request where there are circumstances which warrant the church continuing as a member of the Convention while the church actively pursues its application for At-Large membership. If the Executive Director determines at any time for any reason that the interim status should no longer be continued, the Executive Director, in consultation with the Administration Committee, can terminate the church’s interim status. This will not prevent the church continuing with its application for At-Large membership.

8. Appointment of a Task Force. At the September 13, 2016 meeting, the Executive Committee approved the appointment of a study task force to review the current budget allocation being provided to the Convention’s education institutions and to make recommendations regarding the Convention’s future allocations and other matters related to the Convention’s relationship with the institutions. The recommendation included that the chair of the task force be the chairman of the Executive Committee who will name those to serve on the task force. Members of the task force will include one person representing each education institution with the recommendation of the


president of each institution, one representative of the Education Commission, the current chairman of the Administration Committee, and others as appointed. The president of the Convention and the Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board shall serve as ex officio members of the task force. The recommendation also included that the task force will present its report to the Executive Committee at its September 2017 meeting and that the Executive Committee will report any recommendations to the Convention for appropriate action at its 2017 annual meeting. 9. Location of the March 2017 Executive Committee meeting. At the September 13, 2016 meeting, the Executive Committee approved the following recommendation:

In keeping with the reinvention of the Convention and future meetings of the Executive Committee being held in locations other than the Mission and Ministry Center, the Administration Committee recommends that the March 2017 meeting of the Executive Committee be held in a church located in Central or South Georgia. Consideration will be given to the availability of lodging, meeting space, and food service in the selection of the church.

10. Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Truett-McConnell College.

At the September 13, 2016 meeting, the Executive Committee approved the following recommendation:

As the sole member of Truett-McConnell College, Inc. the Georgia Baptist Convention has the right to approve all amendments to the Articles of Incorporation. It is recommended that the Georgia Baptist Convention approve an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Truett-McConnell College, Inc. to change the name from Truett-McConnell College, Inc. to Truett-McConnell University, Inc.


VII. SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING CONVENTION ACTION

1. Recommendations Concerning Convention Operations. In addition to this report of activities of the Executive Committee and the program of work of the Convention, there are several other recommendations for Convention action. The Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention recommends: That the Cooperative Program be presented and used as the principal channel of financial support of Baptist work at home and abroad. That our churches engage in the five areas of ministry reflected in the 5 Smooth Stones in a strong effort to reduce lostness in Georgia and to strengthen our existing churches. That our churches be urged to adopt a budget in which the Cooperative Program is included as a specific percentage of the total budget. That our churches encourage individual church members to grow in their commitment to tithing through the local church. Churches are challenged, in turn, to grow in mission support through the Cooperative Program. In addition, churches are encouraged to utilize the services and materials available through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board in their efforts to enlist and develop all church members as responsible Christian stewards. That these recommendations include all of the recommendations incorporated in the proposed Cooperative Program Budget for 2017. And, that churches make even greater use of Georgia Baptist missionaries, ministries, and agencies as a means of more fully enlisting and developing their members and church organizations in supporting the Cooperative Program.

2. Recommendation of the Cooperative Program Budget Committee.

The Cooperative Program Budget Committee has made the necessary studies and recommends the following Cooperative Budget for 2017.

PROPOSED 2017 COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BUDGET OF $41,000,000

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION MINISTRIES

COOPERATIVE PROGRAM 42.00% $17,220,000 Disbursements* International Mission Board 8,680,602 North American Mission Board 3,924,438 Theological Education Ministries 3,815,952 Facilitating Ministries/SBC Operating 514,878 Christian Ethics and Religious Liberty Ministries 284,130 Total $17,220,000 *Disbursements based on SBC Executive Committee Budget


GEORGIA BAPTIST MISSION EXTENSION MINISTRIES COOPERATIVE PROGRAM 11.74% $4,812,500 Disbursements Colleges/Universities Shorter University 2,000,000 Brewton-Parker College 1,000,000 Truett-McConnell University 1,000,000 Ministerial Education Fund 200,000 Education Commission 12,500 4,212,500 Baptist Village 250,000 Baptist Retirement Communities of Georgia 250,000 Georgia Baptist Foundation 100,000 Total $ 4,812,500

GEORGIA BAPTIST MISSION BOARD MINISTRIES

FUNDING SOURCES FOR MINISTRY Cooperative Program 46.26% $18,967,500 Mission Georgia Offering 1,450,000 Cooperative Agreements 522,000 Investment, Registration and Other Income 1,011,745 $21,951,245 Disbursements Strategic Leadership $986,768 Business Services 2,054,787 Communications and Cooperative Program Promotions 1,820,490 The Christian Index 565,283 WMU and Women’s Ministries 774,176 Church Revitalization and Evangelism 920,777 Church Planting 2,223,667 Collegiate Ministries 3,844,180 Church Ministry 6,216,085 Benevolent Ministries 178,518 Property Capital Improvements 365,000 Executive Committee/Annual Convention/Guidestone/Retiree 2,001,514 Total $21,951,245 Note: The Southern Baptist Convention has historically requested that a portion of their Cooperative Program funds remain in Georgia to be used for the Promotion, Support, Accounting, and Distribution of Cooperative Program funds.

PROPOSED 2017 COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BUDGET SUMMARY

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION MINISTRIES 42.00% $17,220,000 GEORGIA BAPTIST MISSION EXTENSION MINISTRIES 11.74% $ 4,812,500 GEORGIA BAPTIST MISSION BOARD MINISTRIES 46.26% $18,967,500 2017 COOPERATIVE PROGRAM BUDGET 100.00% $41,000,000


2017 BUDGET DIRECTIONS AND PROCEDURES 1. In order for church staff members to receive GuideStone Protection Benefits provided by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board their church must give at least $420 per plan participant annually through the Cooperative Program. 2. All Georgia Baptist Mission Board institutions provided for in the budget shall submit an annual declaration of indebtedness to the Administration Committee which shall be reported to the September Executive Committee meeting. 3. All interests provided for in the budget are instructed to keep all funds and designated gifts sacred to the trust and designation. 4. Should receipts available for the 2017 Cooperative Program Budget exceed the amount required to discharge the Mission Board’s commitments, the excess balance shall be disbursed by direction of the Executive Director with approval of the Administration Committee. 5. Georgia Baptist Churches may exclude up to two Cooperative Program Budget line items and still have their gifts remain “Cooperative Program” upon written notification to the Executive Director with a copy of the official church action. 6. Only institutions and agencies in cooperation with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board shall participate in, benefit from or receive funds approved in the 2017 Cooperative Program Budget. An institution or agency is not in cooperation with the Convention if it: (a) is not a participating or cooperating institution or agency of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, or ceases to be a Georgia Baptist Mission Board institution or agency, as may be determined from time to time by the Mission Board; or (b) violates or fails to follow or comply with any terms, conditions or provisions set out in the 2017 Cooperative Program Budget. In any such case, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board shall determine where to direct or how to use any funds, payments, or any other benefits relating to such institution or agency, and the Mission Board may direct that such funds be transferred to or designated for the benefit of any one or more of the Mission Board’s other cooperating insitutions, agencies, programs and/or ministries. 7. All Georgia Baptist Mission Board insitutions, agencies or program entities that receive funding through the 2017 Cooperative Program Budget may not solicit from the churches of the Mission Board by direct appeal, special offerings, or any other direct funding promotion. Institutions and agencies supported by the 2017 Cooperative Program Budget may raise funds in support of their ongoing work or capital needs from friends, alumni, interested individuals, foundations or corporations who wish to support the values and interests of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

2017 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

1. It is recommended that in support of Georgia Baptist Mission Board and Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries, the 2017 Cooperative Program goal be $41,000,000. 2. It is recommended that the following special seasons of prayer and offerings be approved as an integral part of the 2017 program:

North American Missions Week of Prayer and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, March 5-12, 2017


Children’s Home Day Offering, May 14, 2017 Senior Adult Ministries Day Offering, July 16, 2017 Mission Georgia Offering Emphasis, September 2017 Thankful Hearts Sunday (Health Care Ministry Foundation) Offering, November 19, 2017 International Missions Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Emphasis,

December 3-10, 2017 3. It is recommended that individual Georgia Baptists be urged to respond with renewed commitment of life and resources to Christ for service in evangelizing Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 4. It is recommended that churches strengthen the extension of their ministry by increasing their Cooperative Program gifts by at least 1 percent per year. 5. We recommend that every pastor in Georgia become a Cooperative Missions Champion – an advocate in his church for mission education and mission giving through the Cooperative Program. In addition, churches are encouraged to utilize the services and materials available to them through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board Cooperative Program Giving and Stewardship office. 6. It is recommended that the Mission Georgia Offering goal for 2017 be $1,750,000. 3. Recommendation of the 2017 Calendar of Activities.

January 2017

1 CEO New Year’s Day, Holiday Duluth

1-31 CEO Call to Prayer

1-8 CEO January Bible Study

1-31 GBF Make Your Will Emphasis Month Duluth

2 CEO New Year's Day Holiday Duluth

10 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Bainbridge

11 CPM Church Planter Orientation Duluth

12-13 MW Sons of Jubal Retreat Toccoa

16 CEO MLK Day - Offices Closed Duluth

17 KGFD VBS Jumpstarts Brunswick

17 CEO Martin Luther King Day, Holiday Duluth

17 KGFD VBS Jumpstarts Marietta

19 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Online

19 KGFD VBS Jumpstarts Braselton

19 AGFD 2017 GBACE Conference Macon

19 KGFD VBS Jumpstarts Perry

20-21 MW REEL Fest 2017 Newnan

22 CEO Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

23-24 CRE Evangelism Conference Warner Robins

24 ICP ICP & Mission Ministry Fellowship Meal Macon


24 KGFD VBS Jumpstarts Greensboro

24 KGFD VBS Jumpstart Moultrie

24 CGSD Education Commission Meeting Cleveland

26 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Macon

26 KGFD VBS Jumpstarts Newnan

26 KGFD VBS Jumpstarts Springfield

26-28 SGFD Southeast Conclave Chattanooga

26-28 MW Ministers Wives Winter Retreat Toccoa

27-28 COL Collegiate Ministry International Student Ski Trip Maggie Val.

27-28 KGFD Bible Drill Retreat Talladega

28 MM South Georgia Men's Training Conference Nevils

February 2017

1-28 CEO True Love Waits Emphasis

2 MW Sons of Jubal Regional Concert McDonough

2-3 KGFD Kids Ministry Summit Jekyll Island

3-4 MM Impact1 Men's Conference Duluth

4 ICP South Georgia Hispanic Church & Missions Conference Lyons

6-8 AMCP 2017 Associational Missionaries Workshop Toccoa

6-7 AGFD 55+ Leadership Conference Macon

9 MW Sons of Jubal Regional Concert Waycross


11 MW Keyboard Festival Cleveland

12 CEO Racial Reconciliation Sunday

12-17 WMU Focus On WMU Week

13-19 CEO Focus on WMU

16 MW Sons of Jubal Regional Concert Smyrna

18 MM State RA/Challengers Racer Derby Forsyth

18 WMU Children's Ministry Day

18 CEO Children's Ministry Day

21 CAM Church Compliance and Giving Seminar Rockmart

23 CAM Church Compliance and Giving Seminar Albany

24-26 WMU Camp Pinnacle Alumni Association Reunion Clayton

25 AMCP Rgteous Manhd: How to Hnr God & Restore R Nation Columbus

25 WMU 2017 Children's Missions Extravaganza Roopville

25 WMU 2017 Children's Missions Extravaganza Mt. Airy

25 WMU 2017 Children's Missions Extravaganza Statesboro

March 2017

3-10 MW Jubalheir Mission Trip New Orleans

5-11 CEO Youth Week

5-12 CEO Wk Pryr & Mission Study: NAMB & A. Armstrong Estr Off

5-12 WMU Week of Prayer for North American Missions


5-12 CEO Easter Offering

7-8 CMR Transitional Pastor Training Duluth


9-11 WMU SELAH Clayton

9 AED African-American Day Duluth

10-11 ICP Interpreter Training Program Forsyth

11 KGFD VBS Clinic Braselton

11 KGFD VBS Clinic Moultrie

11 MM North Georgia Men's Conference Mineral Bluff

13 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Carrollton

14 CEO Executive Committee Duluth


17-18 MM State RA/Challengers Camporee Forsyth

18 KGFD VBS Clinic - Marietta Marietta

18 KGFD VBS Clinic Perry

19 CEO Substance Abuse Prevention, Sunday

19 CEO Church Planting Emphasis, Sunday

24-25 MW Handbell Festival 2017 Lithia Springs

25 KGFD VBS Clinic Newnan

25 KGFD VBS Clinic Brunswick

30 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Augusta

30 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Augusta

April 2017

8 MW Keyboard Festival Monroe

8 MW Keyboard Festival Columbus

9 CEO Cooperative Program Sunday

10 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Cochran

10 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Cochran

10-12 ICP Intercultural Leadership Conference II Toccoa

11 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Douglas

11 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Douglas

13 KGFD 2017 Regional Youth and High School Bible Drill Stone Mtn.

13 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Stone Mtn.

14 CEO Good Friday, Holiday Duluth

20 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Toccoa

20 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Toccoa

23 CEO Baptist Doctrine Study

23 CEO SBC Seminaries Sunday

24 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Fayetteville


24 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Fayetteville


25 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Leesburg

25 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Leesburg

25 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops McDonough

27-28 CAM 2017 Ga Baptist Assoc of Ministry Asst. Conf (GBAMA) Toccoa

27 KGFD 2017 Regional Children's Bible Drill Cartersville

27 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Cartersville

28-29 WMU Georgia Baptist Women's Spring Event Stone Mtn.

28-29 CMR 2017 Pastor Deacon Spouse Retreat Toccoa

May 2017

3-5 MW Music in the Gardens - Senior Adult Choir Festival Pine Mtn

7 CEO Senior Adult Sunday


13 KGFD 2017 Rgnl Yth & Hg Sch Bible Drill & Stdt Spkr Comp Stone Mtn.

14-20 CEO Christian Home Week Emphasis

16 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Statesboro


21-28 CEO Baptist Association Emphasis

25 CAM Church Compliance and Giving Seminar Milledgeville

28 CEO Life Commitment Sunday

29 CEO Memorial Day - Offices Closed Duluth

29 CEO Memorial Day, Holiday Duluth

June 2017

5-9 WMU Camp Pinnacle Smr Miss Camp for Girls - Yngr Girls Wk Clayton

10 CEO Crossover, SBC Phoenix, AZ

12-16 MM RA Crusaders, Younger Challengers Camp at Kaleo Forsyth


13-14 CEO SBC Annual Meeting Phoenix, AZ

13-16 ICP South Georgia Hispanic Youth Camp Americus

15-16 KGFD Ntnl Invitational Tourn for Bible Drill & Spkrs' Tourn Brunswick

16-17 WMU Camp Pinn. Smr Miss Camp for Girls - Mom&Me Ovrnt Clayton

18 CEO Baptist Men's Day


19-23 MM RA Crusaders, Ynger Challgrs, Older Challgrs Camp/Kaleo Forsyth

19-27 MW GA Baptist All-State Youth Choir and Orchestra Tour Toccoa

19-24 MW SURGE150 Youth I Music Camp Toccoa

19-24 MW SURGE150 Children's Music Camp Toccoa

25 CEO Mission:Dignity Sunday


26 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Blue Ridge




July 2017

2 CEO Citizenship & Religious Liberty Sunday

3-5 WMU Camp Pinnacle Smr Missions Cp for Girls - Mini Camp Clayton

4 CEO Independence Day, Holiday Duluth

6-8 WMU Camp Pinnacle Summer Missions for Girls Mom/Me 2 Ngt Clayton


10-14 MM Missions Adventure Camp for Girls at Kaleo Forsyth

10-14 WMU Camp Pinnacle Smr Missions Camp for Girls - Ygr Girls Wk Clayton



23 CEO LoveLoud Sunday

24-28 MM RA Crusaders & Younger Challengers Camp at Kaleo Forsyth

27-29 MM RA Lad Camp at Kaleo Forsyth

August 2017

6 CEO Social Issues Sunday – Purity

12 MM State Men's Conference Macon

13 CEO Student Evangelism Day

18-19 AGFD GO Georgia Marietta

20-26 CEO Worship Music Week

24 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Rome

25-26 AGFD GO Georgia Warner Robins


September 2017

1 CEO Discipleship Rally

3 CEO Single Adult Sunday

4 CEO Labor Day, Holiday Duluth

7 CAM Church Compliance and Giving Seminar Macon

7-9 MW Jubalheir Retreat St. Simons

8-10 ICP 2017 Literacy Missions Conference Toccoa



14 MW Sons of Jubal Concert Newnan

15-16 WMU Women on Mission Series@PRC Clayton

17 CEO Anti-Gambling Sunday

19 CAM Church Compliance and Giving Seminar Hartwell

22-23 MW KidFest 2017 Warner Robins

23 MM North Georgia Men's Training Conference Dalton

26 CGSD Education Commission Meeting Duluth

28-29 AED New Ministers' Orientation Toccoa, GA

30 MW Keyboard Festival Buford


October 2017

1-31 CEO Cooperative Program Emphasis Month

1 CEO Personal Evangelism Commitment Day

5 MW Sons of Jubal Concert Cartersville

8 CEO Global Hunger Sunday

17 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Columbus


19-20 MW Senior Adult Choir Festival - Toccoa Toccoa

24 CAM 2017 Church Compliance & Giving Seminar - Columbus Columbus

November 2017

3-4 MM St RA/Chlgrs Fall Campout Congress & Track Mt at Kaleo Forsyth

5 CEO Disaster Relief Appreciation Day


13-14 CEO Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Duluth

13 CEO Executive Committee Lawrenceville

22-24 CEO Thanksgiving Holidays Duluth


29 GRIS 2017 Statewide Retirement Options Workshops Athens

December 2017

3-10 CEO Week of Prayer for IMB & Lottie Moon Offering Emphasis

3-10 WMU Week of Prayer for International Missions Emphasis


21-31 CEO Christmas, Holiday Duluth

Ministry Area Code

Adult Groups & Faith Development AGFD

Assistant CEO AED

Associational Missions & Convention Planning AMCP

CEO CEO

Chaplaincy AM

Church Administration Ministries CAM

Church Planting CPM

Church Research Services RS

Church Revitalization & Evangelism CRE

Church-Minister Relations CMR

Collegiate Ministries COL

Communications COM

Community Missions & Disaster Response Ministries CMDR


Ministry Area Code

Conference Center - Norman Park GBCCN

Conference Center - Toccoa GBCCT

Cooperative Giving & Stewardship Development CGSD

Education Commission ED

Employee Services ES

Foundation GBF

Guidestone Retirement and Insurance Services GRIS

Information Technology IT

Intercultural Church Planting & Missions ICP

Kids Groups & Faith Development KGFD

Literacy Mission ICP

Men’s Ministries MM

Minister's Wives MW

Mission Board Financial Services MBFS

Mission Board Operations MBO

Missions & Mobilization AM

Music & Worship Ministries MW

Public Affairs Ministry PAM

Regional State Missionaries RSM

Staff Coordination & Development SC&D

Student Ministry Groups & Faith Development SMGFD

Support Services SS

The Christian Index CI

Woman’s Missionary Union WMU

END OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

Annual Audits Available at the Executive Director’s desk in the worship center:

Baptist Retirement Communities of GeorgiaBaptist Village Retirement CommunitiesBrewton-Parker CollegeExecutive CommitteeGeorgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family MinistriesGeorgia Baptist FoundationGeorgia Baptist Health Care Ministry FoundationGraham FoundationShorter UniversityTruett-McConnell University

Would you like to address the Convention?Details on the Microphone Ordering System:To assist messengers during business sessions, we will be utilizing the Microphone Ordering System. This system will allow messengers to address the Convention on any one of the remote microphones throughout the room. The opera-tion may be described as follows: A messenger wishing to speak concerning an issue will report to the microphone. There he/she will find instructions which will help him/her select the correct button to push on the remote unit. He/she may select the “For,” the “Against,” the “Point of Order,” the “Motion,” or the “Other” button. The master unit on the platform will receive all the information from the entire sanctuary and put the request “in line” to ensure fairness to all. Messengers may register requests at each microphone for any or all categories.

This system should eliminate any confusion regarding what messengers wish to do and the proper order for them to speak.

“...striving together for the faith of the gospel...” Philippians 1:27

2016 Order of Business Committee

Jerry Peele, Eastman, Chairman

Mickey Adams, Columbus

Michael Boatfield, Cartersville

Mike Brandenburg, Butler

Lee Hill, Moultrie

Chuck Smith, Cartersville

Mike Spivey, Soperton

Danny Stubbs, Perry

Chris Winford, Brunswick

195th annual meeting calvary baptist temple, savannah ... · pdf file195th annual meeting...

Documents