BGCT governance committee recommends new convention bylaws_41805

Posted: 4/15/05

BGCT governance committee
recommends new convention bylaws

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS–The committee drafting new bylaws for the Baptist General Convention of Texas has voted unanimously to recommend the document after members from across the state agreed to an altered plan regarding makeup of the BGCT Executive Board.

“There was a real spirit of unity, and all came to agreement,” said Wesley Shotwell, chairperson of the Governance Committee and pastor of Ash Creek Baptist Church in Azle. “Everyone is enthusiastic about the future.”

A problem, however, surfaced after the meeting when an inconsistency was discovered in the math concepts used to draw boundaries for the “sectors” from which future Executive Board members would be elected. A decision on how to deal with the problem had not been made by press time.

Prior to the meeting, a key sticking point had been how to draw those “sector” boundaries. Baptists in West and South Texas had expressed concern that the initial proposal did not give them adequate participation on the board.

The formula approved at the early-April meeting received unanimous committee support, with two West Texans making and seconding the motion–Charles Davenport, pastor of First Baptist Church in Tulia, and Stacy Conner, pastor of First Baptist Church in Muleshoe and second vice president of the BGCT.

Committee members from other parts of the state said they believe the new approach is good and fair for the whole state because “it takes into account the level of financial support for the BGCT and recognizes the importance of smaller churches,” Shotwell said.

The new formula still uses resident membership as the primary criteria in drawing sector boundaries, but it also factors in the number of churches and BGCT Cooperative Program.

Three board members would be elected from each of 30 sectors across the state, and those sectors would follow county lines.

“I think the proposed criteria provide fairest representation for the entire state,” Davenport said after the vote. “It's not just a West Texas issue.”

“The plan that we have affirmed today underscores our commitment to the local church and to support of the convention,” Shotwell added. “We took into account the input we received from people across the state, and their input helped us come to a conclusion that we believe all Texas Baptists can affirm.”

Committee member Willie DuBose, a member of First Baptist Church in Midland, called the criteria decision a “good compromise to a difficult problem.”

The committee also approved new bylaws language that deals with concerns expressed at the previous Executive Board meeting. Initial language established a vague distinction between “affiliated” and “cooperating” churches. The new language erases such distinction.

“We're just thankful for all the churches in Texas that support the purposes and work of the BGCT,” Shotwell said.

The committee's recommendation is to be presented to the Executive Board for consideration during its May 24 meeting. If the board approves the bylaws, they will be voted on by messengers to the BGCT annual meeting Nov. 14-15 in Austin.