The Executive Board of the SC Baptist Convention met in their regular fall meeting October 10-11 at White Oak Conference Center to review reports and consider recommendations from Board committees.
Dr. Carlisle Driggers, SCBC Executive Director-Treasurer reported that South Carolina Baptists have given over 1.5 million to the hurricane Disaster Relief fund for victims in the Gulf coast and over 3000 volunteers have been deployed. He added that over 1400 volunteers are registered for Disaster Relief training this month at White Oak.
The Board unanimously approved a $32,150,000 budget, which did not represent an increase over 2005. The Executive Board will present the 2006 budget for final approval at the Convention’s Annual Meeting Nov.15-16 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia.
The Board received reports from standing committees as well as two special study committees appointed last year. James Wright reported on behalf of the Executive Board study committee for the SC Baptist Ministries for the Aging that A & R Management Company entered into a five-year contract to manage and operate Bethea retirement home. Wright added that the Mother’s Day offering was a tremendous success with South Carolina Baptists responding with nearly 1.2 million dollars for Bethea and Martha Franks retirement homes. The generous response of SC Baptists through volunteer work efforts at Bethea has been tremendous. While progress has been made with new management, there will be a need for the Mother’s Day offering to continue to be successful in coming years.
The Empowering Kingdom Growth Evaluation & Implementation Task Force chaired by Marshal Blalock, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Charleston, presented a motion for approval of a Great Commission Initiative. After time for discussion, the Executive Board approved the motion, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Convention in November. The other members of the Task Force are: Frank Page, pastor, Taylors First Baptist Church; Bob Debenport, member, Columbia First Baptist Church; Tim Head, pastor, Lighthouse Church, Mt. Pleasant; Mike Hamlet, pastor, North Spartanburg First Baptist Church.
The administrative committee brought three recommendations before the Board including; 1)updating the church Annuity Plan in agreement with Guidestone Financial Resources 2) changing the status of Anderson College to Anderson University 3) changing the status of North Greenville College to North Greenville University. The Board approved all three recommendations.
In addition to business meetings, the Board met Monday night for a time of worship and fellowship. Disaster Relief volunteers shared testimonies and this year’s convention president, Dr. Jerry White challenged the board members with an inspirational message.
The next scheduled board meeting is Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Convention Building in Columbia.
