By Shana Johnson, LBC IT Supervisor
RUSTON – In order for a church to be represented in the business portion of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, November 12-13, at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, it will need to elect messenger(s), who then must register and be certified by the Credentials Committee.
Merelin McCon, chairman of the Credentials Committee, 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 the LaOne online program, print out the registration card, and bring it to the annual meeting. This way allows messengers to be certified within a matter of minutes, McCon said.
— Second, a messenger may bring a letter 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 is no other means by which to validate a person, a meeting of the Credentials Committee may be called to make a determination.
McCon emphasized that pastors are not registered automatically as messengers.
He said they must follow the same procedure as other messengers in order to participate in the business discussions and official votes of the annual meeting.
NOTICE TO ALL CHURCHES
Pre-registration letters were mailed September 25th for the 2018 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting.
If you have not done so already, please go online to www.LaOne.org and use the login information provided in the letter you received to pre-register your messengers for this event.
If you have not received your letter, or if you have questions about the process, please contact the Information Services office by email (Messengers@LBC.org) or phone (318.448.3402 ext. 242 or 210) for assistance.
