Greetings, sisters and brothers in Christ,

The General Board of ABCUSA, along with the program boards for International Ministries and National Ministries, will be gathering this week in Valley Forge.  In addition to the joy of connecting with one another and catching up, we have a significant agenda in response to the Pasadena Biennial.

With the consent of the General Board Executive Committee at its August meeting, I convened a PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON BYLAWS, which met in Denver on October 21-22.  The task force addressed the primary concerns thought to be stumbling blocks to the passage of the bylaw proposal in Pasadena, and made moderate recommendations and suggestions for adjustments.  There were five areas of concern with which the task force dealt.  Those areas were determined by the feedback from the Biennial and were: communication and education about the bylaws in preparation of the Biennial in Puerto Rico, appropriate connectional language between program board bylaws and ABC bylaws, issues around denominational representation, concerns centering around public witness statements, and issues dealing with leadership and authority.

The task force was diverse and representative of pastors and laity, national boards, and ethnic caucus groups.  It will report back to the General Board this week.  A thoughtful strategic plan for communication prior to Puerto Rico was developed.   The recommendations and suggestions for corporation bylaws will be taken back to program boards for their response and deliberation.  It is, of course, understood that this task force has sought to honor the feedback of the Biennial delegates and is only empowered to make suggestions to the program boards for implementation into their respective bylaws.

I am deeply grateful for the wisdom, creativity and commitment given by members of this bylaw task force.  I am likewise deeply grateful for the many ways that all of the members of our national boards seek to serve as the hands and feet of Christ.  I covet your prayers as our boards convene this week.

Blessings,

Mary Hulst, President, ABCUSA
 

A Message From The General Secretary

I will be on sabbatical from September 1, 2009 to January 4, 2010. During this time, I have asked a variety of American Baptists to share their thoughts and reflections here.

Centered in Christ and United in Mission,
 

Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley
General Secretary