By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — In order for a church to be represented during the business portions of the Louisiana Baptist Convention to be held Nov. 15 in Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, it will need to elect messenger(s), who then must register and be certified by the Committee on Credentials.
LBC Credentials Committee Chairman Steven Kelly noted to the Baptist Message that there are five ways for messengers to register and be approved:
— The first and simplest way is for messengers to pre-register using www.LaOne.org and print out the registration card to bring to the annual meeting. This way allows messengers to be certified within a matter of minutes, Kelly said.
— Second, a messenger may bring a note on official letterhead signed by the pastor or church clerk, stating that the individual was elected by the congregation.
— Third, a church officer can phone in the names of elected messengers.
— Fourth, a person can be vouchsafed as a duly elected messenger by a fellow registered church member.
— Finally, when there are no other means by which to validate a person, the Committee on Credentials may be called into session to rule on the registration request.
Kelly emphasized that pastors are not automatically registered as messengers, explaining that they must follow the same procedure as other messengers to participate in the business discussions and official votes of the annual meeting.
Pre-registration letters were mailed or emailed by Sept. 23. Please use the provided login information to pre-register your messengers at www.LaOne. org.
If you have not received your letter, or if you have questions about the process, please contact LBC Information Services by email (Messengers@ LouisianaBaptists.org) or phone (318.448.3402 ext. 242).
Registration and credentials representatives will be available on site to assist messengers on Monday, Nov. 14, 2-7 p.m. and on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
