missions_network_71403

Posted: 7/11/03

Missions network on track for '04

By Ken Camp

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–Texas Baptists' currently unnamed missions network could have an official name by August and a staff leader by September. And the network should be ready by January 2004 to begin helping churches and individuals make connections to “advance Christ's call to missions,” according to the network's board of directors.

At a June 30 board meeting, Mark Dunn of Crestview Baptist Church in Dallas presented a report from the group's organizational committee, including a timeline for constituting the network as a non-profit organization.

The board should be able to discuss proposed bylaws and articles of incorporation–as well as consider recommended names for the network–at its Aug. 7 meeting, Dunn said.

The organizational committee has been working with an Austin-based consulting firm to develop a list of possible names and conduct the necessary legal and market research on each of them.

Although the network's board has been meeting since February to develop its purpose statement and begin the search for a paid staff leader, its formal organizational meeting will be Oct. 23. At that meeting, the network will formally constitute as the board adopts articles of incorporation and bylaws and elects officers.

Dennis Young of Missouri City Baptist Church reported the search committee created to find a staff leader has received resumes and letters of recommendation for 26 candidates, after eliminating duplicates and incomplete submissions.

Although the original deadline for receiving recommendations was June 27, the search committee agreed to continue accepting recommendations as it continues its work.

According to the original timeline developed by the search committee, the board of directors set Sept. 9 as the target date for filling the leadership post, “pending the emergence of a leader and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.”

If elected by the board of directors in September, the network's leader would be presented to the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board Sept. 30 and to the state convention at its annual session in Lubbock Nov. 10-11.

Recommendations are being received by Albert Reyes, chairman of the search committee, at Hispanic Baptist Theological School, 8019 South Pan American Freeway, San Antonio 78251. To protect confidentiality, all recommendations should be sent by mail or by special delivery. No phone or e-mail recommendations will be accepted.

Jeff Raines, chairman of the board's research and development committee, presented a resolution that the network's staff leader be empowered to “investigate office space outside the BGCT offices, while accepting BGCT help in information technology and other technical matters.”

At the recommendation of the research and development committee, the board also adopted a resolution affirming the work of various BGCT missions-related program areas, as well as Texas Baptist Men and Woman's Missionary Union of Texas. The resolution encouraged the network's future staff leader to “establish close, cooperative, non-duplicative working relationships” with the existing Texas Baptist missions personnel.