Colorado Baptist Churches Adopt Task Force Recommendations

October 18, 2011

 

 

Formed in 2009, the Restructuring Task Force was given the task of reviewing the Colorado Baptist’s vision statement, core values and 2020 end vision for the Convention's work.

 

The initial findings of the Task Force were presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting. Over the last year modifications were made to the final recommendation as Pastors and leaders throughout the Convention were given an opportunity to comment on the initial report.

 

In the final report, given at this year's Annual Meeting, Task Force Chair, Dr. Bob Bender (First Baptist Church, Black Forest), said, “Our Colorado Baptist General Convention’s vision and values are right on; however the methods of accomplishing that vision needed re-evaluating. Colorado Baptists had been given a vision to see a church planting movement in Colorado; however that movement of the Lord has not yet occurred.”

 

In response, the Task Force recommended a number of changes be made to the structure of the Colorado Baptist General Convention (CBGC) office and staff.

 

“Why does the convention office and staff exist?” asked Dr. Bender. We need them, “to assist and encourage the Colorado Baptist network of churches in cooperating to saturate our state and world with the Gospel.”

 

Sean Cole (Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sterling), presented how the CBGC office and staff will work to assist and encourage churches.

 

“Prayer is the foundation of all that we do. In addition, we recommend that the CBGC office and staff focus their activities in five ways: Prayer, Acts 1:8 Disciple Making, Support Systems, Leader Development, and Strategic Networking.”

 

Finally, Rand Clark (Genesis Church, Castle Rock) shared a few examples of what churches might expect the CBGC office and staff to do, as a result of these changes.

 

“Whether you are a rural church that needs help starting a youth program, a struggling church that needs to develop leaders or an established church that has a passion for Sunday school, the CBGC office and staff is the thread that ties us together; that assists us and encourages us to live out the purpose God has for us.”

 

The Task Force recommendations were adopted by the messengers present at the 2011 Annual Meeting and the CBGC office and staff will now work to implement these changes by January 1, 2013.

 

Dr. Bender remarked, “This mid-course directional change moves us to a convention with a more contemporary networking type of convention. It moves the ministry emphasis from the convention office to the local churches and associations. It streamlines staff and expenses to release more funds for church planting and ministry resulting in greater stewardship of monies. It focuses statewide efforts on doing fewer things better. It re-emphasizes the priority of prayer in achieving our vision.”

 

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