March 5, 2001
Directors of missions plan statewide
event for associational leadership
___By Marv Knox
___Editor
___AUSTIN--A "gathering of Texas associational leaders" will focus attention on the work and ministry of associations of churches Aug. 27-28 at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving.
___The gathering was approved by directors of missions representing 55 Texas Baptist associations who met in Austin Feb. 15-16, reported Jim Leak, director of missions for Medina River Baptist Association in Kerrville and spokesperson for the group.
___"The purpose of the convocation will be to discuss, elevate understanding and focus on the churches' relationship with associations and others in the Baptist family," Leak explained.
___"This will be a gathering of associational leaders, by associational leaders, for associational leaders to help associational leaders better serve the churches in their associations as they work together to accomplish Great Commission work."
___The meeting will not be designed "to tell any other Baptist entity how it should do its work," he added, noting the meeting "will not attempt to bring any pressure on any other Baptist entity."
___Four speakers will deliver keynote addresses:
___Arnold Brown, a futurist with the Weiner-Edrich-Brown consulting firm, "Trends in Society Impacting Associations."
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___The keynote addresses each will be followed by smaller-group discussions, Leak said. "The discussion statements/ questions provided by the plenary speakers will be used as starting points, but the discussion will not be limited to those areas.
___"By sharing together in these forums, associational leaders can learn from one another ways in which associations may increase their effectiveness in assisting Texas Baptist churches to accomplish kingdom purposes," he said.
___Two directors of missions will serve as co-facilitators for each small group, he added. After the gathering, participants will receive a report that will include manuscripts of the plenary speeches, summaries of the content of the discussion groups and an overall summary of the entire meeting.
___Staff members from state and national Baptist organizations who specifically work with associations will be invited to "attend as observers and to answer any specific questions that might arise about the way their entity relates to local Baptist associations," Leak said. "They will not be active participants in the discussion groups.
___"We hope as word about this convocation spreads, each and every director of missions in Texas will join the directors of missions in Austin in agreeing to join in co-hosting this event," he said.
___ Registration must be secured prior to the event. It will cost $10 before June 15 and $15 after that date.
___Registration is limited to 600 participants, and the first 250 to register will have an opportunity to purchase meal tickets for $15, which will cover dinner the opening night and lunch the second day.
___A registration form may be downloaded from the virtual file cabinet on the directors of missions' website, www.baptist associations.org.
___The planning team for the meeting is comprised of directors of missions of nine associations or areas: Leak; Rick Hagar, Rio Grande Valley; Larry Heard, Top O' Texas; Gary Hearon, Dallas; Larry Johnson, Ellis; Roy Kornegay, Amarillo; C.H. Murphy, Tryon-Evergreen; Bob Schmeltekopf, Burnet-Llano; and Mike Smith, Dogwood Trails.
___For more information, see the website, www.baptistassociations.org or contact Leak at Medina River Baptist Association, 921 Redbud Lane, Kerrville 78028; phone (830) 895-0400; e-mail jimleak@ktc.com.
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