BGM Executive Committee, Indianapolis, March 13-15, 2014
Being an Inclusive Community
As one who was invited to become a part of the ABC when I grew up at FBC Boston that helped my father sponsor my mother to America after WWII, I’m committed to ensuring that all who desire to abide with us as American Baptists would feel welcomed. After an eye-opening adventure of traveling to Myanmar in December, I will be hosting on behalf of Roy and in partnership with Florence Li (ABHMS) a gathering of “Burmese” groups (7 different groups) on April 30-May 2 to foster a possible coalition or council in N. America. The challenge is what can we do more effectively together? And such a council may possibly connect with the Baptists in Myanmar. On Jan. 15, I met with the Portuguese Caucus in Berkeley when I discovered the growing numbers of Brazilian Baptists are now becoming more connected with the ABC. For the purpose of enhancing better understanding and to recognize one another’s presence, Roy, Judy and I will be meeting with the executive and representative of AWAB on May 7th.
Nurturing Denominational Life
Key planners and Susan Gillies of the 2015 BMS met in January to talk through matters of interest in order to make progress on the next Overland Park MS. As the result of this meeting, we hope that the success we had in 2013 will be evident again in 2015. When I attend the NLC at Green Lake in April 7-10, I will have some time to meet with the REMC and to honor Arlo Reichter who is retiring from Wisconsin. Recognizing the value and significance of denominational-wide events and values such as the BMS and OTABL while the giving to UM has declined, we are convening an ACT on UM to convene its first meeting on May 22-23. The immense challenge of searching for a new general secretary when Roy completes his faithful 14 years of service by the end of 2015 necessitates the convening of the Search Committee as soon as possible. The first meeting will be next week, March 19-20 in Chicago when we’ll begin to organize our work for the months to come.
Pastoral Development
At the beginning of the year, David Laubach and I co-directed EMERGE in Orlando with over 300 people in attendance even with the arctic vortex in the Midwest. David was primarily in charge of the seminarians and new pastors’ track while I convened the pastors’ track. In addition to the great speakers and workshops, we took the opportunity to introduce the topic of race and violence in the aftermath of the killings of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis. In the end of January, I gave a president’s report at the Colloquium in Ft. Lauderdale and at the Asian Colloquium on Feb. 26-Mar. 1 I did the same in San Gabriel, CA.
Looking Ahead
I am planning to attend the BWA Annual Gathering/General Council on July 7-11 in Izmir, Turkey and IM World Mission Conference on July 21-26 at Green Lake. So far early in my 2-years of being president I can say that it’s busy and an opportunity to hopefully make a difference!