A Louisiana Baptist study committee has announced it will recommend
that local associations assume total control of director of missions within
a five-year period.
“We recommend that total financial and administrative
autonomy and supervision of the director of missions be assumed by the local
associations,” the study committee recommendation proposed last week reads.
A Louisiana Baptist study committee has announced it will recommend
that local associations assume total control of director of missions within
a five-year period.
“We recommend that total financial and administrative
autonomy and supervision of the director of missions be assumed by the local
associations,” the study committee recommendation proposed last week reads.
“This process would be implemented over a maximum period
of five years. Each association would work with the state convention to establish
a financial phase-out over the five-year period.”
The recommendation is scheduled to be presented to the Louisiana
Baptist Convention Executive Board at its September 24 meeting. If approved
there, it will be presented to state convention messengers during the annual
meeting in November.
If approved there, it will signal the beginning of a change
in the current structure and process. Currently, associational directors of
missions are employed, paid and supervised by the state convention.
A study of the current process and the director of missions
structure in the convention was launched in January by Executive Board members.
A 18-person study committee was established, with Paul Roney as chair. Roney
serves as pastor at Riverview Baptist Church in Alexandria.
Earlier this month, Roney reported to state Executive Board
members that the study committee had not completed its work and would report
once more in September.
Last Thursday, the committee met and approved the recommendation
to propose a change in the director of missions process.
The committee immediately released word of its decision and
requested that it be publicized through the Louisiana Baptist Message.
Roney explained that committee members felt it would have been
difficult to keep the recommendation quiet until September.
In addition, the announcement gives Louisiana Baptists a chance
to study the issue and pray about it, so they will be informed and prepared
to make a good decision if called to act on the matter, he said.
Roney also acknowledged the recommendation will not be embraced
by all Louisiana Baptists. Indeed, there were a few committee members who voted
against it after expressing concern about the drastic nature of the change,
he said.
However, he emphasized the committee made what it felt was
the best recommendation for the convention at this time. It now falls to the
full Executive Board and Louisiana Baptist Convention messengers to handle the
matter, he noted.
(The Baptist Message plans to present articles on the director