November 23, 2010

VALLEY FORGE, PA – At its meeting here Nov. 19-20, the Board of National Ministries, which carries out ministry as American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS), focused on learning, developing skills and encouraging relationships to build a strong base for moving the organization forward in these challenging times.

Stressing that the meeting belongs to the board, ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III urged board members to ensure that their opinions are both heard and recorded, as ABHMS works to develop a "21st century ministry model."

"We learned that ABHMS needs to be healthy if the denomination is to move forward," said Wright-Riggins, referring to feedback gathered as part of a mission alignment process conducted by SchellingPoint, a Malvern, Pa.-based organizational consulting firm.

Highlights of the meeting included a dialoguing model dubbed "Corinthian Conversation Café," in which board members split into intimate groups several times to discuss provided questions, thereby strengthening relationships among themselves and offering crucial feedback directly to Wright-Riggins and ABHMS staff.

Several board members commented that the Conversation Café model was both enjoyable and effective at promoting idea sharing as well as relationship building and asked that it be employed more frequently in future meetings. "This whole system was about learning and developing relationships," said Board President Rev. Dr. Clifford Johnson.

Another highlight was a technology skill building orientation – specifically an introduction to the use of both Microsoft SharePoint and Adobe Connect Pro – by Rev. David Cushman, ABHMS' research & information services officer. Promising next-business-day support for board members using these software programs, Cushman noted that the executive committee encourages their use to promote more frequent collaboration between meetings.

Rev. Eddie Cruz, ABHMS' associate executive director for development, distributed information regarding the 2011 America for Christ (AFC) Offering, "Touching Lives, Transforming People," and noted that additional materials, including DVDs, will be mailed to churches soon. He also recognized the top 200 AFC-giving churches for 2010. On behalf of First Baptist Church (FBC), Fremont, Neb., Beryl Hornberger accepted a certificate for highest giving among board members' churches. Accepting a certificate for the highest increase in giving among members' churches was Susan Pittman on behalf of FBC, Terra Haute, Ind.

The board unanimously approved the 2011 operating budget, a policy regarding the type of gifts that ABHMS can and cannot accept, and the adoption of ABHMS' mission statement, which reads, in part: "to minister as the caring heart, serving hands, going feet and prophetic voice of Jesus Christ – establishing ministries of discipleship, community and justice by equipping and networking followers of Jesus to transform persons, congregations, neighborhoods and cultures throughout the United States and Puerto Rico."

Also approved through unanimous vote were recommendations for Biennial award recipients, to be announced in a future press release, submitted by the 2011 Biennial Awards Working Group.

American Baptist News Service