October 29, 2001

Messengers approve $47.5 million budget
___By Dan Martin
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--By an overwhelming margin, messengers to the annual session of the Baptist General Convention of Texas adopted a $47.5 million budget for 2002, representing an 8.8 percent decrease.
___Stephen Hatfield, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lewisville and chairman of the BGCT Administrative Committee, detailed three reasons for the decreased budget--a restructuring of the Executive Board staff, the nation's troubled economy and the reality that "some churches have left us" because of decisions

BGCT ANNUAL MEETING: Little controversy in BGCT business Messengers approve $47.5 million budget Glazener says BGCT must 'shine and serve' Historical Society hears about 'chapel cars' Changes approved for HBU, Buckner Institutions show wide scope of BGCT ministries Light Up Dallas leads hundreds to Christ Partnership Missions helping start churches in Minnesota-Wisconsin Messengers hear report on Missions-sending committeee Motions on 2000 BF&M, giving forms fail Houston Pastor Bob Campbell new BGCT president Wade: Texas Baptits should let people 'get a good look at Jesus' WMU board approves objectives SBTC ANNUAL MEETING: SBTC marks fourth year, approves $8.9 million budget

made at past conventions.
___"The restructuring reflects greater efficiency," he said. His remarks were amplified by a report by Chris Liebrum, BGCT director of human resources, who said the restructuring has resulted in a savings of $1 million in staff costs.
___The budget reflects the new structure of the Executive Board staff, Hatfield said. Major categories represented in the budget include:
Church missions and evangelism, $4.96 million or 10.43 percent of the budget.
Church health and growth, $4.55 million or 9.59 percent of the budget.
Associational missions and administration, $1.8 million or 3.78 percent.
Christian ethics and public life, $723,386 or 1.52 percent.
Institutional ministries, including educational and human welfare ministries, $25.21 million or 53.07 percent.
___Other allocations include $3.99 million to the office of financial management, $1.64 million to the executive director's office and communications center, $776,888 to Texas Baptist Men and $3.86 million to other missions and ministries.
___Only one question was asked regarding the budget. Bill Ballou, a staff member at First Baptist Church of Abilene, asked for clarification about a line item regarding the "Theological Education System" listed under the Institutional Ministries Section of the budget.
___The item calls for expenditure of $2.65 million, and Ballou wanted to know how much of those funds will go to Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.
___Treasurer Roger Hall reported that funds under the line item are used for ministerial education at the eight universities affiliated with the BGCT, and he said $283,500 goes to Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University and $73,800 goes to Logsdon.

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