Posted: 8/8/03
Missions network edges forward
By Ken Camp
Texas Baptist Communications
DALLAS–Texas Baptists' currently unnamed missions network moved a step closer to being named at its Aug. 7 meeting, and it took strides toward becoming a formally constituted non-profit corporation.
Members of the network's board of directors discussed extensively name proposals and settled on first and second choices for the new entity. The board's organizational committee has been working with an Austin-based consulting firm to conduct market research on possible names for the network.
The board agreed to maintain confidentiality about the names until all research regarding legal availability, trademarks and registration could be completed.
The board should be able to finalize the name selection at its Sept. 9 meeting, according to Becky Bridges, communications director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
At the Aug. 7 meeting, the board also approved a draft of articles of incorporation and bylaws. The board granted Justice Anderson of University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, chairman of the board, authority to sign the legal documents after final revisions are made and a name is chosen for the network.
The governing documents underscore that the purpose of the non-profit corporation is “to connect God's people to advance Christ's call to missions.”
As drafted, the bylaws and articles of incorporation codify the relationship between the network and the BGCT. The governing documents stipulate that three-fourths of the governing board be elected by messengers to the state convention and one-fourth be elected by the board itself.
The documents also state that membership of the governing board should be ethnically diverse and inclusive of both men and women. They also clarify that each board member “shall be an active member of a Baptist church.”
The bylaws also allow the board to create an advisory council “to bring together missions experts and representatives of Baptist conventions from across the world on a regular basis to work on further missions endeavors.”
In other business, Kyle Reese of First Baptist Church in San Angelo reported on progress by the search committee seeking a nominee as staff leader for the network. Reese said the search committee began with a pool of 36 potential candidates and has narrowed the field to eight.
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