Constitution & Operations Manual

Bradley Baptist Association Constitution & Operations Manual

Index

Article I: Identity 2

Article II: Purpose 2

Article III: Membership 2-3

Article IV: Meetings 3

Article V: Organization 3-4

Article VI: Amendments 4

ARTICLE 1: IDENTITY

Section 1 – Name: This body shall be known as the Bradley Baptist Association.

Section 2 – Articles of Faith: We adopt as our statement of faith, THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE, as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention.

Section 3 – Cooperation: This body shall be cooperative with the Tennessee State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Section 4 – Authority: This body shall be wholly advisory, and shall never assume any ecclesiastical authority over the churches.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Bradley Baptist Association shall be to promote Christian fellowship and cooperation among the churches affiliated with the Association; to uphold the doctrines and principles of our Baptist faith and encourage the churches to be loyal and practice these doctrines and principles; to promote benevolence, stewardship, Christian education, the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, and the winning of all men to Christ to the ends of the earth.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Churches: The Bradley Baptist Association shall be composed of those churches that have applied for and have been received into membership at a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. Messengers elected by the respective churches shall represent those churches at each Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

Section 2 – Messengers: Messengers shall be elected by the respective cooperating churches, according to the following formula. Each church of fifty members or less shall be entitled to three (3) messengers and one (1) additional messenger for each fifty members above the first fifty, provided no church shall be entitled to have more than ten messengers.

Section 3 – Affiliation: Any church desiring to be received into the fellowship of the Bradley Baptist Association shall forward an application to the Association office at least (6) months prior to a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. The church desiring affiliation should include a statement of its faith and practices and declaring its purpose to cooperate with this body. A body shall be formed from the Administrative Leadership Team to examine the credentials of the petitioning church. (See Application for Membership to the Bradley Baptist Association in the Operations Manual.) Recommendations from this group shall be made to the Association at a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. Upon approval of a three-fourths (3/4)-majority vote of the messengers present to receive the church, the moderator shall declare the church received and its messengers seated. A church may choose to withdraw from the fellowship of the Bradley Baptist Association with written notification.

Section 4 – Discipline: The Association reserves the right to withdraw fellowship by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote at a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session from any church it deems:

a. to have departed from the teaching of the New Testament in doctrine or conduct as previously stated in the Articles of Faith of the Association; or

b. to have failed to correspond with the Association for two (2) consecutive years. This church shall first be visited by a group assigned by the Administrative Leadership Team to determine the cause and seek resolution; or

c. to have refused to support financially the program of the Association.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

Section 1 – Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions: The Bradley Baptist Association shall have Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions, at such time and place as it may determine. All reports to the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session shall be written and included in the Book of Reports. No reports, other than those in the Book of Reports, shall be heard unless by the expressed approval of the body.

Section 2 – Special Sessions: Upon the advice and consent of the Ministry Development Team, the Moderator may call a special session at any time during the year. Notification must be made in writing to the churches at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. It must include the reason for the meeting and the matter(s) to be considered. Only business for which the meeting is called may be transacted in such a called session of the Association.

ARTICLE V: ORGANIZATION

Section 1 – Officers: The Bradley Baptist Association shall have at least the following officers: Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, Clerk, and Historian. All officers shall be elected by a majority vote at a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session and shall take office at the close of that meeting. They shall serve for one year or until their successors shall be elected and installed. Officers shall be nominated by a body created by the Administrative Leadership Team for that purpose. The Moderator and Vice-Moderator may not serve more than two (2) consecutive years.

Section 2 – Staff: The Association employs the Director of Missions. The Director of Missions shall acquire staff as required to fulfill the purpose of the Association. A body assigned by the Administrative Leadership Team shall serve as a personnel department in assisting with staff relations. Assignments, relationships, and ministry descriptions shall be specifically described in the Operations Manual. Other specific policies for Associational staff are outlined in the Personnel Manual and Procedures.

Section 3 – Program Organization

a. The Association may establish such program/ministry groups as it deems necessary for achieving its purpose.

b. Every year at the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session, the Bradley Baptist Association will confirm its ministry and program emphases for the coming year. These decisions are to be confirmed by a majority vote of the Messengers present, and by electing leaders/members for these organizational groups. If the specific mission, goals, and organization of a ministry or program group are not already described in the Bradley Baptist Association’s Operations Manual, such an entry will be developed and inserted. If a ministry or program is not re-confirmed at the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session by the Association at-large, that group will cease to exist and its references in the Operation Manual shall be removed. All other relevant facts about a program or ministry group will be delineated in the Bradley Baptist Association’s Operations Manual.

Section 4 – Ministry Development Team (MDT): Led by the Director of Missions, the Ministry Development Team shall be composed of Team Leaders from each of the value areas determined by the Association, the Ministerial Staff, Administrative Leadership Team Representative, Moderator, and six (6) At Large members. It shall help plan, coordinate, and evaluate the ministry activities of the Association and shall be accountable to the Association through a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. At Large members will serve on a rotating panel, with one member rotating off each year.

The Ministry Development Team is empowered to act on behalf of the Association not in session in all areas except those which encumber the Association financially, place the association at risk, or are deemed important enough to call a special session of the Association at large (see Article IV, Section 2).

Section 5 – Administrative Leadership Team (ALT): To conduct the administrative functions of the association, including but not limited to finance and budgeting, personnel, nominating, facilities, trustees, and credentials. The Ministry Development Team nominates these individuals for election by the Association a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. Administrative Leadership Team members must be elected by a majority vote of the Messengers present to fulfill any of its duties. The Administrative Leadership Team is responsible to the Association through the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions, and specific components of its responsibilities are outlined in the Bradley Baptist Association’s Operations Manual.

Section 6 – Duties: The duties of all organizational elements of the Association shall be those usually incumbent upon such officers, directors, councils, and teams and shall be outlined in the Bradley Baptist Association’s operations manual.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS

Any article of this constitution may be altered or amended by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the Messengers present and voting at a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session, providing that written notice shall have been given to all the member churches 90 days prior to the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. Article 1, Section 4, may be amended only as to word, order, or for clarity, but not as to meaning.

Any item of the Operations Manual may be altered or amended by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the Ministry Development Team members present and voting at a Ministry Development Team meeting providing that written notice shall have been given to all the Ministry Development Team members 30 days prior to a Ministry Development Team meeting.

Bradley Baptist Association’s

Operations Manual

Index

Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions 6

Ministry Development Team (MDT) 7-8

Administrative Leadership Team (ALT) 8

Affinity Groups 9

Cluster Groups 9-10

Guidelines for Starting a New Church 11-12

Application for Membership to the Bradley Baptist Association 12

Appendix A – Qualifications for Missionary Service 13

Appendix B – BBA Harvest Council Messenger Ministry Profile 13

Appendix C – BBA MDT Member Ministry Profile 14

Appendix D – BBA ALT Member Ministry Profile 14-15

Appendix E – Value Leader Profiles: Ministries 16

Appendix E – Value Leader Profiles: Evangelism 17

Appendix E – Value Leader Profiles: Strengthening Churches 18

Appendix E – Value Leader Profiles: Prayer 19

Appendix E – Value Leader Profiles: Communication 20

Nominations 21-24

BBA Ministerial Staff Flow Chart 24a

BBA Administration Staff Flow Chart 24b

BBA Organizational Flow Chart 24c

Bradley Baptist Association’s

Operations Manual

Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions

Ministry Development Team leaders, Association Officers, and the Pastor plus all messengers elected by their respective cooperating churches make up the Harvest Council. Each church of fifty members or less shall be entitled to three (3) messengers and one (1) additional messenger for each fifty members above the first fifty, provided no church shall be entitled to have more than ten messengers. The Officers of the Association shall serve as Officers of the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions. Associational staff shall be non-voting members of the Association.

The Task - The Harvest Council will meet on a Semi-annual schedule with additional called meetings as necessary.

The Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions allow the Association to conduct its major business, hearing reports, adopting programs of work, and considering all business matters presented to the body for action, including the admission of churches into fellowship.

The Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions also allow the Association to nurture and develop trusting relationships in the Association, and……

· Join God in His Work in Bradley County.

· Join God in His Work in Tennessee.

· Join God in His Work in North America.

· Join God in His Work Overseas.

Accountability – The Harvest Council is the Association of Churches in session, which meets Semi-annually.

Ministry Development Team (MDT)

The Ministry Development Team will be led by the Director of Missions and will consist of Team Leaders from each of the value areas determined by the Association. Other ministry leaders involving the value areas of the Association will also serve. The Team Leaders will lead in the following areas: Prayer, Strengthening Churches, Communication, Ministries, and Evangelism. Other members of the Ministry Development Team will include the Ministerial Staff, Administrative Leadership Team Representative, Moderator, and six (6) At Large members.

At Large Members shall be selected by the following process:

· An Associational letter from the Administrative Leadership Team to pastors of eligible churches would be sent requesting nominations for potential Ministry Development Team members. Included in the letter would be a detailed listing of qualifications and expectations.

· The Administrative Leadership Team would review, screen, contact, and recommend At-Large Members to the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

· The fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Messengers will elect At-Large Ministry Development Team members.

The Task – The Ministry Development Team will meet at least once a month to coordinate the focused work of each value area of the Bradley Baptist Association. As much as possible they will be challenged to work as a team, each in his/her areas of passion and calling to help our churches do together what they could not do alone. They will also resource one another through prayer, accountability, and encouragement. They will set goals in the value areas upon recommendations from the Director of Missions, Administrative Leadership Team.

They will evaluate the missionary effectiveness of the Association and its churches in reaching our city for Jesus Christ. The effectiveness will be measured based on the previous year’s goals and the progress made in the value areas.

The Ministry Development Team will make decisions based on recommendations and reports from the Administrative Leadership Team. The Ministry Development Team will also set the direction for the following year. The Ministry Development Team will recommend and nominate six Administrative Leadership Team members to the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

Accountability – Budget needs will be reported to the Administrative Leadership Team. The Ministry Development Team will report calendar dates to the Associational Staff.

Resources for The Ministry Development Team will come from the value areas in the annual budget, and designated gifts from churches.

The Director of Missions will recommend the Value Area Team Leaders annually to the Administrative Leadership Team for approval. The Administrative Leadership Team will report to the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. The team leader will serve for as long a period as he/she is effective and feels led to serve.

The Director of Missions will be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of team leaders in consultation with the Moderator and Administrative Leadership Team. The Director of Missions will talk with individuals who are serving on The Ministry Development Team that are not effective.

Each team leader may recruit volunteers to assist him/her on particular projects or for particular periods of time. These missions volunteers will be reported to the Administrative Leadership Team. All missionary volunteers will also be reported to the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

Administrative Leadership Team (ALT)

The Administrative Leadership Team will consist of the Moderator and six (6) other panel members approved by the Ministry Development Team. The members will include at least two lay people. The team can have no more than two voting members from one congregation. The Director of Missions will serve as a non-voting ex-officio member.

The six (6) panel members will serve a three-year term on rotating panels to prevent the entire team from changing every year. At the conclusion of the three years of service, the members rotating off a panel will be required to stay off one year before being approved to another three-year term. Persons serving as Moderator do not need to stay off a year before being approved for an initial three-year term as one of the six (6) panel members of the Administrative Leadership Team.

The Task – the Administrative Leadership Team will meet as necessary to do the work of the following administrative committees: Finance and Budgeting, Personnel, Nominating, Facilities, Trustees, and Credentials.

Each of the six panel members of the Administrative Leadership Team will be responsible to lead in particular areas. They may choose to invite others to temporarily volunteer to meet with them as a subgroup to do their work if necessary.

The Administrative Leadership Team elects its own Chair.

Accountability – The Administrative Leadership Team will report to the Association in session and the Harvest Council.

Budgeting will be based on the values chosen by the Association. The Administrative Leadership Team will receive recommendations in value areas from the Director of Missions. Associational Staff will have the responsibility for receiving calendar dates.

Affinity Groups

The Association of churches will encourage fellowship, accountability, and enrichment groups to voluntarily form throughout the Association. Some of these groups will include, but will not be limited to: Conferences for Ministers, Music Leaders, Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Youth Ministers, Senior Adults, Church Media Specialists, Administrative Assistants and other groups as God leads their formation. The groups will be self-governed. The Association will assist through encouragement and communication.

Cluster Groups

The churches have historically gathered into regions in order to foster relationships with their congregations in closest proximity to each other. The Association wants to continue to encourage these relationships for projects, training, communication, fellowship, worship and missions.

Association Officers

Moderator – The Moderator shall be elected at the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. Nominations should be sent to the Administrative Leadership Team 30 days prior to the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. The Administrative Leadership Team will review nominations and contact nominees to confirm their interest in serving. The Administrative Leadership Team will recommend no less than one candidate. They will recommend no more than two candidates. Other nominations may be received from the floor. If there is more than one nominee, the vote shall be by ballot. The newly elected Moderator will take office on January 1 following the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. The Moderator may not serve more than two consecutive years.

Duties:

· Preside over the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions of the Association.

· Preside over special called meetings of the Harvest Council of the Association.

· Serve as ex-officio member of all teams.

· Name members of ad-hoc committees as directed by the Association.

· Be familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order so that he might preside properly.

· Work in close harmony with the Director of Missions for the on-going work of the Association.

· Serve as a voting member of the Administrative Leadership Team.

Vice-Moderator – The Vice-Moderator shall be elected at the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. Nominations should be sent to the Administrative Leadership Team 30 days prior to the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session. The Administrative Leadership Team will review nominations and contact nominees to confirm their interest in serving. The Administrative Leadership Team will recommend no less than one candidate. They will recommend no more than two candidates. Other nominations may be received from the floor. If there is more than one nominee, the vote shall be by ballot. The newly elected Vice-Moderator will take office on January 1 following the fall Harvest Council Semi -Annual Session. The Vice-Moderator may not serve more than two consecutive years.

Duties:

· Preside over the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions of the Association in the absence of the Moderator.

· Preside over special called meetings of the Harvest Council of the Association in the absence of the Moderator.

· Be familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order so that he might preside properly.

· Serve as a voting member of the Administrative Leadership Team in the absence of the Moderator.

Treasurer – The Treasurer shall be elected at the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session upon recommendation by the Administrative Leadership Team and shall take office on January 1 following the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

Duties:

· Issue checks in keeping with the budget and under supervision of the Administrative Leadership Team.

· Perform other financial duties as authorized by the Association.

Clerk – The Clerk shall be elected at the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session upon recommendation by the Administrative Leadership Team and shall take office on January 1 following the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

Duties:

· Serve as recorder for the Association in session and the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions.

· Assist the Director of Missions and Associational Secretary with securing Annual Church Profile information.

Historian – The Historian shall be elected at the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session upon recommendation by the Administrative Leadership Team and shall take office on January 1 following the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

Duties:

· Keep an accurate record of Associational events for historical purposes.

GUIDELINES

FOR STARTING A NEW CHURCH

In cooperation with

The Bradley Baptist Association

The following guidelines will be followed in evaluating a new church supported by the Association.

1. Church Sponsorship

a. The new church will have a sponsor church.

b. Is the sponsor church a member of the Association or other Southern Baptist Association?

2. The new church should affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.

3. The new church should be affiliated and supportive of the Bradley Baptist Association, Tennessee Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention. Will the new church participate in the Cooperative Program?

4. The new church will present a written Church Planting Proposal to the sponsor church and/or the Association.

Items to be included in the proposal:

Vision Statement Explanation of target group

Core Values Proposed Budget

Doctrinal Statement Sponsor Church Covenant

Strategy Plan Discipleship Plan

Proposed Launch Date Mission Statement

5. Does the church planter meet the state convention’s guidelines for funding?

a. Has the planter gone through an assessment process?

b. Has (or will) the planter attend the basic training for church planters?

To receive state funding, the new church must give 7% of its undesignated receipts to the Cooperative Program and 3% to the local Association.

c. Has (or will) the planter establish a mentoring relationship with another pastor?

6. Has the sponsor church conducted a background and reference check of the church planting pastor (and staff)?

7. Is there a need for a new work in the proposed new church stated area?

a. What are the demographics of the target area?

b. What churches are in the area and how effectively are they reaching the unchurched?

8. In case of church split, the following shall be taken into consideration:

a. What attempts are being or have been made toward reconciliation?

b. Has the new church met guidelines 2 through 4?

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

TO THE BRADLEY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

1. We shall most ardently adhere to the Baptist doctrines and principles as set forth in the Church Covenant and New Hampshire Confession of Faith, held in common by all cooperative Southern Baptist Convention Churches.

2. We shall be baptistic in all of our practices, as outlined and required in the Constitution of the Bradley Baptist Association.

3. We shall make systematic and regular contributions to Associational Missions and to State, Convention wide and foreign causes, through the Cooperative Program.

4. We shall cooperate fully in all organized efforts of the Bradley Baptist Association in a promotional capacity.

5. The application for membership into the Bradley Baptist Association must be submitted to the Administrative Leadership Team.

6. The Administrative Leadership Team shall observe the church for a period of six months before making a recommendation for full membership in a Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

Moderator of Church______________________

Name of Church_________________________

Clerk of Church__________________________

Date of Approval_________________________

Bradley Baptist Association

2707 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37312

Phone: (423) 476-5493     Fax: (423) 339-3782

e-mail: bcbaclev@bellsouth.net

www.bradleybaptist.org

APPENDIX A

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MISSIONARY SERVICE

The Qualifications for Volunteer Missionary Service (including officers and committees) in the Bradley Baptist Association are:

· A clear testimony of salvation and Christian Baptism

· A member in good standing of a Bradley Baptist   Association congregation

· A strong commitment to reach our city for Christ

(Outside mission teams will be accountable to their local leadership. Their local leadership will be accountable to the Bradley Baptist Association.)

APPENDIX B

Bradley Baptist Association

Harvest Council Messenger Ministry Profile

Time Commitment

Two meetings per year, others as called. Harvest Council Messengers are expected to attend the Semi-Annual Sessions of the Bradley Baptist Association.

Summary

The task of the Harvest Council Messengers will be to evaluate and contribute to the progress of the Bradley Baptist Association’s vision to reach the people of Bradley County for Jesus Christ.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Have an active personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

· Have an active level of ministry involvement in a local Bradley Baptist Association congregation.

· Attend each Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

· Have the endorsement of the pastor and congregation to serve as a Harvest Council Messenger.

· Keep the local congregation informed and involved in the evangelistic vision of the Bradley Baptist Association.

· Be actively involved in intercessory prayer for the city, pastors, churches, and association.

· Assist in the future direction of the Bradley Baptist Association.

· Evaluate the current effectiveness of the Bradley Baptist Association.

· The local church will determine years of service.

APPENDIX C

Bradley Baptist Association

Ministry Development Team (MDT) Ministry Member Profile

Time Commitment

One meeting per month, others as called. Ministry Development Team members are expected to attend the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Sessions of the Bradley Baptist Association.

Summary

The task of The Ministry Development Team is to coordinate Harvest focused work based upon core values of the Bradley Baptist Association.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Have an active personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

· Have an active level of ministry involvement in a local Bradley Baptist Association’s congregation.

· Have the endorsement of the pastor to serve on The Ministry Development Team.

· Be actively involved in intercessory prayer for the city, pastors, churches, and Association.

· Meet monthly to coordinate mission action in the Bradley Baptist Association.

· Submit calendar dates to the Director of Missions.

· Report budget needs to the Administrative Leadership Team.

APPENDIX D

Bradley Baptist Association

Administrative Leadership Team (ALT) Member Ministry Profile

Time Commitment

The Administrative Leadership Team will meet as necessary to perform the tasks assigned to this team. Meetings for budgeting purposes and nominations will begin in August. Other meetings will be called as necessary.

Summary

The task of the Administrative Leadership Team will be to prepare materials and make recommendations to the Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session in the areas of Finance and Budgeting, Personnel, Nominating, Facilities, Trustees and Credentials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Finance and Budgeting

· Prepare annual budget to present to the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

· Oversee annual audit of financial records

Personnel

· Director of Missions – make recommendations to any Harvest Council Session.

The search for a new Director of Missions will be by a special ad-hoc committee of the Association

· Other Ministerial Staff – make recommendations to any Harvest Council Session.

Review annual evaluations made by Director of Missions

Perform new staff search

· Administrative Staff – report to Administrative Leadership Team

Review annual evaluations made by Director of Missions

Prepare salary and benefit recommendations

Perform new staff search

Assist with staff termination

Nominating – prepare a slate of the following officers to recommend to the fall Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session:

· Association Officers

· Ministry Development Team Leaders

· Affinity Group Leaders

Facilities

· Conduct annual building inspection

Trustees – The Director of Missions, Moderator, and Chair of the Administrative Leadership Team will serve annually as Trustees. Their duties will include the following:

· Act as legal agent as authorized by the Association.

· Maintain inventory of all Association property and equipment, and related legal documents.

· Counsel with other Association committees, officers, staff, or organizations concerning legal matters.

· Perform other duties as assigned by the Association.

Credentials

· Recommend church admittance to Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

· Recommend church discipline to Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session.

APPENDIX E

Value Leader Profiles

MINISTRIES

Bradley Baptist Association

Value Leader Profile

Time Commitment

Coordinate, Assist and Implement new and existing ministries of the Bradley Baptist Association in conjunction with the Director of Ministry Evangelism. Attend monthly Ministry Development Team meetings for planning and coordination. Further time commitments will be based on the priorities determined by the leader. The leader and the Director of Ministry Evangelism will determine length of service.

Summary

The task of the Ministries Leader is to implement a strategic approach to ministering to various needs in our region. Specifically the leader will determine resources, discover leaders, investigate locations, and raise awareness of the call to ministries among existing churches. The purpose and value of ministries is to encourage Bradley Baptist Association churches in sharing the love of Christ to those of Bradley County who are in need. The leader, in concert with the Ministry Development Team and the Director of Ministry Evangelism will determine the final agenda in his/her area. The leader may also appoint a task force to assist in the planning, coordination and agenda setting for the area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Be actively involved in intercessory prayer for the city, pastors, churches, and association.

· Meet monthly to coordinate mission action with the Ministry Development Team (see Ministry Development Team profile.)

· Coordinate, Assist and Implement new and existing ministries of the Bradley Baptist Association that would involve all churches in one of the following areas: Training, Outreach, Service, Fellowship and Prayer.

· Report progress to the Director of Missions.

· Submit a brief written report for the Book of Reports by September 1 of each year.

· Recommend a budget by August 1 and submit calendar dates by September 1 for the following year.

· Strategize and implement an overall plan to engage Southern Baptists in strategic intercessory prayer with a view toward fulfilling the God-given mission and vision of the Bradley Baptist Association.

EVANGELISM

Bradley Baptist Association

Value Leader Profile

Time Commitment

Plan and coordinate at least one major evangelism event per year. Attend monthly Ministry Development Team meetings per year for planning and coordination. Further time commitments will be based on the priorities determined by the leader. The leader and the Director of Missions will determine length of service.

Summary

The task of the Evangelism Leader will be to engage local Southern Baptists in Harvest focused activity, particularly as it pertains to "doing" evangelism through projects and resourcing evangelism through training and encouragement. The purpose and value of evangelism is to assist churches in effectively presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person by helping to fulfill the God-given vision and mission of the Bradley Baptist Association. The leader, in concert with the Ministry Development Team and the Director of Missions will determine the final agenda in his/her area. The leader may also appoint a task force to assist in the planning, coordination and agenda setting for the area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Be actively involved in intercessory prayer for the city, pastors, churches, and association.

· Meet monthly to coordinate mission action with the Ministry Development Team (see Ministry Development Team profile.)

· Plan and Coordinate at least one major evangelism mobilization event per year that would involve all churches in one of the following areas: Training, Outreach, Fellowship and Prayer.

· Report progress to the Director of Missions.

· Submit a brief written report for the Book of Reports by September 1 of each year.

· Recommend a budget by August 1 and submit calendar dates by September 1 for the following year.

· Strategize and implement an overall plan to engage Southern Baptists in strategic intercessory prayer with a view toward fulfilling the God-given mission and vision of the Bradley Baptist Association.

STRENGTHENING CHURCHES

Bradley Baptist Association

Value Leader Profile

Time Commitment

Attend monthly Ministry Development Team meetings for planning and coordination. The major time commitment will involve planning and coordinating at least one major training event a year in one of the following areas: healthy church development, leadership, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, etc. Further time commitments will be based on the priorities determined by the leader and the participating churches. Length of service will be two years.

Summary

The task of the Strengthening Churches Leader will be to engage local Southern Baptists in Harvest focused activity, particularly as it pertains to strengthening churches through training, events, and encouragement. The purpose and value of strengthening churches is to fulfill the God-given vision and mission of the Bradley Baptist Association. The leader, in concert with the Ministry Development Team and the Director of Missions will determine the final agenda in his/her area. The leader may also appoint a task force to assist in the planning, coordination and agenda setting for the area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Be actively involved in intercessory prayer for the city, pastors, churches, and association.

· Meet monthly to coordinate mission action with the Ministry Development Team (see Ministry Development Team profile.)

· Plan and Coordinate at least one event that would involve all churches in one of the following areas: Training, Fellowship, or Prayer.

· Report progress to the Director of Missions.

· Submit a brief written report for the Book of Reports by September 1 of each year.

· Recommend a budget by August 1 and submit calendar dates by September 1 for the following year.

· Strategize and implement an overall plan to engage Southern Baptists in strategic intercessory prayer with a view toward fulfilling the God-given mission and vision of the Bradley Baptist Association.

PRAYER

Bradley Baptist Association

Value Leader Profile

Time Commitment

Plan and coordinate at least one major intercessory prayer action per year. Attend monthly Ministry Development Team meetings for planning and coordination. Further time commitments will be based on the priorities determined by the leader. The leader and the Director of Missions will determine length of service.

Summary

The task of the Prayer Leader is to mobilize and resource an army of prayer warriors to pray strategically for our pastors, leaders, churches, and our city/county. The purpose and value of prayer is to seek God’s power, presence, provision, and leadership among Southern Baptists in order to fulfill His mission and vision for us.

· To raise awareness within the association and the churches for the need of a comprehensive Great Commission prayer ministry.

· To help individuals renew a personal passion to pray without ceasing.

· To help reclaim congregations as Houses of Prayer with a passion for the lost. Matthew 21:15, Luke 19:10.

· To offer training opportunities to help churches accomplish these goals.

The leader, in concert with the Ministry Development Team and the Director of Missions will determine the final agenda in his/her area. The leader may appoint a task force team to assist in the planning, coordination and agenda setting for the area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Be actively involved in intercessory prayer for the city, pastors, churches, and association.

· Meet monthly to coordinate mission action with the Ministry Development Team (see Ministry Development Team profile.)

· Plan and coordinate at least one prayer emphasis per year.

· Report progress to the Director of Missions.

· Submit a brief written report for the Book of Reports by September 1 of each year.

· Recommend a budget by August 1 and submit calendar dates by September 1 for the following year.

· Strategize and implement an overall plan to engage Southern Baptists in strategic intercessory prayer with a view toward fulfilling the God-given mission and vision of the Bradley Baptist Association.

COMMUNICATION

Bradley Baptist Association

Value Leader Profile

Time Commitment

Plan and coordinate strategic plan for creating awareness among Bradley Baptist Association churches. Attend monthly Ministry Development Team meetings for planning and coordination. Further time commitments will be based on the priorities determined by the leader. The leader and the Director of Missions will determine length of service.

Summary

The task of the Communication Leader will be to engage local Southern Baptists in the ongoing work of the Bradley Baptist Association. The purpose and value of the Communication Team is to increase awareness about the Bradley Baptist Association’s ministry and improve intra-associational communication. The leader, in concert with the Ministry Development Team and the Director of Missions will determine the final agenda in his/her area. The leader may also appoint a task force to assist in the planning, coordination and agenda setting for the area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

· Be actively involved in intercessory prayer for the city, pastors, churches, and association.

· Meet monthly to coordinate mission action with the Ministry Development Team (see Ministry Development Team profile.)

· Plan and implement goals of the Communication Team each year.

· Report progress to the Director of Missions.

· Submit a brief written review for the Book of Reports by September 1 of each year.

· Recommend a budget by August 1 and submit calendar dates by September 1 for the following year.

· Strategize and implement an overall plan to engage Southern Baptists in strategic intercessory prayer with a view toward fulfilling the God-given mission and vision of the Bradley Baptist Association.

NOMINATIONS

Association Officers

(elected by a majority vote at the Harvest Council Bi-Annual Session)

(nominated by the Administrative Leadership Team)

Moderator: ______________________________

(limited to two year term)

Vice-Moderator: __________________________

(limited to two year term)

Treasurer: _______________________________

Clerk: ___________________________________

Historian: ________________________________

MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT TEAM

(Director of Missions, Team Leaders, Moderator, Ministerial Staff, Representative of

Administrative Leadership Team)

(Director of Missions will recommend Team Leaders to Administrative Leadership Team)

Director of Missions: _____________________________________

Ministerial Staff: _______________________________________

Administrative Leadership Team Representative: ____________________

Ministry Development Team Leaders:

Ministries: ____________________________________

Evangelism: ___________________________________

   Strengthening Churches: __________________________

    Prayer: _________________________________________

Communication: _________________________________

At Large Members:

Term ending 12/31/03

Term ending 12/31/04

Term ending 12/31/05

ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

(recommended by Ministry Development Team)

(meets as necessary)

(elects own Chair)

(Finance & Budgeting, Personnel, Nominating, Facilities, Trustees, & Credentials)

Ex-officio:

Director of Missions (non-voting): _________________________

               Moderator: _________________________________________

At Large Members:

Term ending 12/31/03

Term ending 12/31/04

Term ending 12/31/05

Harvest Council Semi-Annual Session Messengers

(Each church of 50 members or less shall be entitled to three (3) Messengers

and one (1) additional messenger for each fifty members above the first fifty,

provided no church shall be entitled to have more than ten messengers.)

Staff - Ex-officio:

(non-voting members)

Director of Missions: __________________________________

(serves as Chair of Harvest Council)

Director of Ministry Evangelism: ________________________

Director of Ocoee Resort Ministries: _____________________

Director of Hispanic Ministries: _________________________

Director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries: __________________

Ministry Assistant: ____________________________________

Association Secretary: _________________________________

Association Officers:

Moderator: ___________________________________________

Vice-Moderator: _______________________________________

Treasurer: ____________________________________________

Clerk: ________________________________________________

Historian: _____________________________________________

Ministry Development Team Leaders:

Ministries: __________________________________________

Evangelism: ________________________________________

Strengthening Churches: _____________________________

Prayer: _____________________________________________

Communication: ______________________________________

Harvest Council (continued)

Pastor, Layperson and Alternate from each affiliated church

CHURCH

PASTOR

LAYPERSON

ALTERNATE

Antioch

Beacon

Bellefounte

Big Spring

Blue Spring

Blythe Avenue

Brittsville

Candies Creek

Charity

Center Point

Charleston First

Chestuee

Cleveland First

Clingan Ridge

Cloverleaf

Cohulla

Corinth

Council

Dalton Pike

Hillview

East Cleveland

East View

Elkmont

Emmanuel

Fairview

Farmland

Four Point

Galilee

Georgetown

Goodwill

Gum Springs

Hopewell

Lebanon

Macedonia

Maple Street

Michigan Avenue

Mt. Carmel

Mt. Eagle

New Fellowship

New Friendship

New Hope Hispanic

North Cleveland

Oak Grove

Parkway

Philippi

Ridgeview

Rolling Brook

Samples Memorial

Stuart Park

Tasso

Thompson Springs

Union

Valley View

Washington Avenue

Waterville

West Cleveland

Westwood

White Oak

AFFINITY GROUPS

(self-governed groups encouraged by Association)

Conference for Ministers: _____________________________

Music Leaders: ______________________________________

Women’s Ministry: ___________________________________

Men’s Ministry: ______________________________________

Youth Ministry: ______________________________________

Senior Adults: _______________________________________

Church Media Specialists: _____________________________

Ministry Assistants           _____________________________

Others: _____________________________________________

Associational Strategy Planning

Index

Mission Statement 26

Strengthening Churches Team 27-31

Communications Team 32-34

Prayer Team 35-36

Ministry Team 37-39

Evangelism Team 40-43

Associational Strategy Planning

The mission of the Bradley Baptist Association

shall be to:

Exalt the Savior

Encourage the Shepherds

Equip the Saints

Empowered by Prayer

Acts 1:8...Networking Local, State, National and International Missions

Strengthening Churches Team

The Priority Need:

Training opportunities for church leaders designed to assist them in determining the overall health of the church.

Objective: Provide a list of qualified church health consultants.

Goal #1: Create a list of church health consultants.

o Action Plan: Identify those in our community and neighboring communities who are qualified to consult with churches free of charge concerning church health.

o Action Plan: Identify those in our community and neighboring communities who are qualified to consult with churches (for a fee) concerning church health.

o Action Plan: Identify those who consult nationwide with churches concerning church health professionally. (Baptist and non-Baptist)

o Action Plan: Identify those in our state convention who consult with churches concerning church health professionally.

o Action Plan: Make this list available to all churches in the association.

Goal #2: Provide a list of church health related resources and materials.

o Action Plan: Identify materials designed to educate church leaders concerning church health.

o Action Plan: Identify materials designed to educate church members concerning church health. (Group studies, Surveys, etc.)

o Action Plan: Make church health materials list available to all churches in the association.

Goal #3: Gather information from books and studies outlining the characteristics of healthy churches and Sunday Schools.

o Action Plan: Gather information from magazines, books and published studies.

o Action Plan: Make this information available to all churches in the association.

The Priority Need:

Training opportunities for church leaders designed to assist them in creating a strategy for promoting church health.

Objective: Assist church leaders in discovering and drafting a vision statement.

Goal #1: Provide church leaders with information about the importance of a vision statement to church health.

o Action Plan: Identify biblical information pertaining to the subject of vision.

o Action Plan: Identity books pertaining to the subject of vision.

o Action Plan: Make this list available to all churches in the association.

Goal #2: Provide church leaders with information and instructions about drafting a vision statement.

o Action Plan: Identify biblical references used in drafting a vision statement.

o Action Plan: Identify books pertaining to drafting a vision statement.

o Action Plan: Make this list available to all churches in the association.

Goal #3: Assist church leaders in drafting a vision statement.

o Action Plan: Identify those who are qualified to assist church leaders in drafting a vision statement.

o Action Plan: Make this list available to all churches in the association.

The Priority Need:

Assistance with measuring a church’s health and forming a strategy to strengthen a church.

Objective: Assist church leaders in measuring church health.

Goal #1: Consult with church leaders to assist them in measuring the overall health of the church.

o Action Plan: Assist church leaders in identifying areas of strength relative to church and Sunday School health.

o Action Plan: Assist church leaders in identifying areas of deficiency relative to church and Sunday School health.

Goal #2: Consult with church leaders to assist them in forming a strategy to strengthen the overall health of the church.

o Action Plan: Assist church leaders in identifying specific actions to be taken to respond to deficiencies relative to church and Sunday School health.

o Action Plan: Assist church leaders in developing a long range plan for maintaining church health.

Goal #3: Group churches with similar needs and weaknesses and provide training to respond to their common struggles.

o Action Plan: Identify churches with similar needs and weakness.

o Action Plan: Provide training that responds to specific needs and weaknesses.

o Action Plan: Conclude training with a written strategy tailored to respond to the specific needs identified in a specific church environment.

The Priority Need:

Assistance establishing networks among church leaders/pastors to foster mentoring relationships.

Objective: Help church leaders to appreciate the importance of mentoring relationships and seek out personal mentors.

Goal #1: Schedule an ongoing church leader/pastor round table meeting to promote personal relationships within which mentoring relationships can develop.

o Action Plan: Identify a day and time that is convenient to church leaders/pastors to meet and share concerns, challenges (both professional and personal), and ideas for strategy responses.

o Action Plan: Identify a place that is available and conducive to open (but confidential) conversations.

Goal #2: Facilitate matchmaking among church leaders/pastors. Assign mentors and establish ground rules for mentoring.

o Action Plan: Note common interests to begin the process of matching mentors and church leaders/pastors. Questionnaire.

o Action Plan: Note common struggles to begin the process of matching mentors and church leaders/pastors. Identify areas of experience and lessons learned to pass on to others for personal encouragement and practical advice.

· Do not match two leaders who are facing the same struggles, rather match one who is struggling with one who has faced the same struggle and can help.

Goal #3: Monitor the mentoring process.

o Action Plan: Schedule breakfast and lunch appointments with the Director of Missions wherein both the mentor and church leader/pastor can share how their mentoring relationship has been helpful or needs improvement.

o Action Plan: Change mentors as often as needed to provide the help needed.

o Action Plan: Look for signs of codependency and other unhealthy practices that can develop out of a mentoring relationship. Respond quickly to such indicators.

The Priority Need:

A concise, user-friendly package of clinics designed to teach the basics of church and Sunday School health.

Objective: Make it easy and inexpensive for churches to get the training needed to begin to take steps toward church and Sunday School health.

Goal #1: Create a package of clinics designed to teach the basics of church health.

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic focusing on the importance of a church vision (including a written statement).

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic focusing on the importance of a church mission (including a written statement).

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic that defines the interests of the local unchurched community, as it exists today and how to respond to and attract it. Teach church leaders/pastors how to know their target market.

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic focusing on the changing dynamics of church polity.

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic focusing on the changing role of the deacon from administrator to servant leader.

Goal #2: Create a package of clinics designed to teach the basics of a healthy Sunday School.

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic focusing on the organizational structure of a Sunday School that is gift based and provides ministry opportunities for all class members.

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic focusing on the role of the Sunday School teacher as discipler (not Bible scholar).

o Action Plan: Develop a clinic that outlines the basic positions of leadership needed for a successful Sunday School department and class and detail specific job descriptions for each position.

Associational Strategy Planning

Communication Team

Objective: To increase awareness about the Bradley Baptist Association’s ministry and to improve intra-associational communication.

Goal #1: To increase awareness within church congregations about Association’s mission and resources.

o Action Plan: Designate Communications Director at Association.

o Action Plan: Designate communication contact within each church. (This person would be someone other than the pastor, who would make sure Association announcements are made on a regular basis and would remain in contact with Association to get latest information on events and projects. They could also help make up a countywide communications team, which meets on a regular basis.)

o Action Plan: Provide directory of Association’s services, resources, equipment, ministry opportunities and phone numbers. (Directories would be given to each church)

o Action Plan: Develop core group of people who would be available to visit some churches to promote and inform church congregations about specific events or opportunities such as mission trips or special projects. (Possibly showing videos, providing handouts, or signing up people for involvement.)

o Action Plan: Print color magazine periodically. (Could include articles on special events, people, local spiritual growth, and messages from Phil Taylor and local pastors.)

o Action Plan: Develop new color brochures about Association and its ministries.

o Action Plan: Develop informational video about Association purpose and ministries.

o Action Plan: Announce Associational events in newspaper.

Goal #2: Improve communications between churches

o Action Plan: Develop network of support staff within Association. (These would be people within churches who would be available to help another church when a special need arises. (Pianists, VBS workers, music leaders, etc.)

o Action Plan: Develop more opportunities for churches and church members to communicate at an Associational level. (Educational, training, Bible studies, and social events)

o Action Plan: Develop Associational choir or praise team made up of various churches. (They would sing at various churches or other events throughout the year.)

o Action Plan: Develop plan to closely examine how churches are currently communicating within their own environments.

o Action Plan: Consider countywide seminar or forum to advise church leaders and staff members how to better communicate.

o Action Plan: Examine and determine what God is doing in Bradley County through the Association and the direction it appears God is taking the work. Then determine how churches can join together to advance the plan or vision.

o Action Plan: Designate one day once or twice a year in which churches are paired up with another church for a special service or event. (One purpose could be for a church having success with a certain program to share how it’s working. They could present this to a church looking for ways to grow in a particular area.)

Goal #3: Increase public awareness in the community about the Bradley Baptist Association’s mission.

o Action Plan: Set up tent at large community events to provide information about Association, along with free water, scripture or other items. (Events such as softball games, large craft fairs, etc.)

o Action Plan: Provide Association information to the public at the mall and local community service agencies.

o Action Plan: Do something to improve the community, such as a clean-up day.

o Action Plan: Get feature stories about a church or someone in the church printed in the newspaper.

o Action Plan: Phil Taylor provide one-minute message (possibly life application) to be played on radio stations like J103.

o Action Plan: Develop yearly Associational festival for public based on the life and love of Jesus Christ.

(Some food could resemble food from that time period. People dressed in clothing from that time musical or drama based upon a time in Jesus’ life salvation information provided as well as time of invitation.)

ASSOCIATIONAL STRATEGY PLANNING

PRAYER TEAM

OBJECTIVE:

To raise awareness within the association and the churches for the need of a comprehensive Great Commission prayer ministry.

To help individuals renew a personal passion to pray without ceasing.

To help reclaim congregations as Houses of Prayer with a passion for the lost. Matthew 21:15, Luke 19:10

To offer training opportunities to help churches accomplish these goals.

GOAL #1

Select a prayer coordinator, for the Association, who is called of God.

o Action Plan: Contact each church to encourage them to assign a person of prayer to be a prayer coordinator in their church.

o Action Plan: Lead the prayer council in their work.

o Action Plan: Train prayer coordinators from each church.

o Action Plan: Gather resource materials to encourage prayer in the churches.

o Action Plan: Participate in the Associational newsletter to promote awareness of prayer and communicate Kingdom needs.

PRAYER

GOAL #2

Select a prayer council of representatives of the various churches to assist the prayer coordinator of the Association.

o Action Plan: Make sure that the prayer council understands Biblical prayer and be able to communicate it.

o Action Plan: Be able to work together with the prayer coordinator and the leadership of churches.

o Action Plan: Help the prayer coordinator plan and implement prayer activities.

o Action Plan: Link congregations in focused prayer to reclaim the churches as a House of Prayer with a passion for the lost.

MINISTRY TEAM

ASSOCIATION STRATEGY PLANNING

OBJECTIVE:

TO ENCOURAGE OUR CHURCHES IN SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THOSE OF BRADLEY COUNTY WHO ARE IN NEED.

Goal #1: To inform and educate all of our churches about ministry opportunities with our Association by December 2003.

o Action Plan: For the Association Staff to make personal visits and presentations to all of the churches in the Association.

o Action Plan: Use of direct mail & Beacon Newsletter to communicate community ministry opportunities to all of our churches.

o Action Plan: Disseminate information to appropriate lay leadership in our churches.

o Action Plan: Develop a current resource list (services churches are offering, service organizations, food pantries, etc…)

Goal #2: To assist churches in coordinating three Community Bible Studies per year by December 2003.

o Action Plan: Determine where the locations will be (apartment complexes, housing authority complexes, Save Haven Community Center, etc…)

o Action Plan: Approach churches in close proximity to desired location about sponsoring a Community Bible Study.

Goal #3: To provide at least two ongoing ministry opportunities to share the Love of Christ with troubled teens or teens within the 311 zip code by December, 2003.

o Action Plan: Offer after school tutoring one day a week at the Safe Haven Community Center.

A. Enlist qualified volunteers from our churches who are properly screened and verified through an application process and background check.

B. Schedule and monitor volunteers in cooperation with the Community Center Staff.

o Action Plan: To provide a positive alternative for teenagers on Friday nights, that would get them off the streets and around some positive male influence by partnering with the City Police Department in sponsoring a Midnight Basketball Program at the Safe Haven Community Center.

A. Enlist and train volunteers from our churches.

B. Start initial program on March 22, 2002 and go through the end of April. Midnight Basketball will run from 10pm.-midnight on Fridays.

C. The Basketball program will be a series of 3pt. Shootouts and 3 on 3 tournaments, with special features, giveaways and prizes.

D. For the Association to provide supplemental insurance to participants.

E. Evaluate the program towards the end of April to determine the continuation of Midnight Basketball.

Goal #4.: To share the good news of Jesus Christ to internationals in our community by teaching them to speak English and read the Bible by offering an ongoing special language course at the Safe Haven Community Center by December, 2003.

o Action Plan: To offer English as a Second Language (ESL Course) on a continual basis.

o Action Plan: To enlist qualified teachers (volunteers from our churches).

o Action Plan: To promote the course through all necessary and appropriate channels throughout our community.

o Action Plan: For the Association to purchase the course curriculum as needed for participants and teachers.

Goal #5: To partner with Churches in developing Helping Hands into a year round clearing house network by December, 2005 that meets the special needs of people in our community.

o Action Plan: To create a data base or network system whereby churches and organizations that offer help with food, clothing, financial assistance and more … can record and track information on assistance given to individuals and families of Bradley County.

o Action Plan: To partner with churches in developing two crisis centers in Bradley County where those seeking emergency help will complete a brief application/interview process.

A. Enlist and train volunteers to serve as caseworkers

B. Assess and verify the needs of the clients

C. Offer encouragement and Share the Gospel

D. Refer clients whose needs are validated to a networking church or center to receive the help they are seeking (some needs assistance can be provided at the crisis centers)

E. Refer clients who have been verified to partnering churches that are in close proximity to where they live who might offer any number of the following services:

1. Food pantry

2. Clothes pantry

3. Other assistance

Ø Rent/Utilities or medical bills

Ø Meals

Ø Household items

Ø Personal care products

o Action Plan: Partner with churches and agencies in providing assistance and counseling to clients for self-sufficiency through education courses or programs

A. Managing finances

B. Parenting

C. Abuse, abandonment and addictions

D. Job placement referrals

Goal #6: Assist Churches in the coordination of Jail Ministry through at least three of the following action plans by December 2003.

o Action Plan: Angel Tree Clearing House for children of inmates.

o Action Plan: Leading Bible Studies and Witnessing to inmates.

o Action Plan: Refer families and individuals to support & help groups.

o Action Plan: Give Bibles to inmates with the help of the Gideons.

o Action Plan: Give soft goods packets/personal care packets to inmates.

Goal #7: To partner with churches in coordinating disaster relief ministries so that we are ready and able to respond to disaster situations whenever and wherever needed.

o Action Plan: To work in conjunction with the Tennessee Baptist’s Disaster Relief Program by training and activating response teams (volunteers from our churches) that are equipped to provide help such as feeding stations, clean-up and debris removal, crisis counseling, Bible distribution, emergency child-care, reconstruction and more.

o Action Plan: Always have on hand at least two-filled start up boxes of household items that can be given to victims of tragedy who suffer damage or loss to their homes due to fire, floods, tornados.

Association Strategy Planning

Evangelism Team

Objective:

TO ASSIST CHURCHES IN EFFECTIVELY PRESENTING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO EVERY PERSON.

Goal #1:

Develop a church planting strategy reaching various ethnic and cultural groups in Bradley County and Cleveland such as African-Americans, Hispanics, demographically-needed, and satellite churches.

o Action Plan: A proposal will be presented to the 2002 Bradley Baptist Annual Meeting concerning the appointing of a Church Planting Strategy Team.

o Action Plan: Within three months said Team would be appointed.

o Action Plan: The Team will examine church-planting resources available locally, at the Tennessee Baptist Convention, at the North American Mission Board, as well as other sources (i.e. Mecklenburg Community Church, Saddleback, Willowcreek, IMB, etc.)

o Action Plan: The Team will visit new church plants that are effectively reaching various people groups.

o Action Plan: Funding for resources and church plant visits will come from designated funds sent to the Associational office by interested churches and possible grants from TBC and/or NAMB. All excess funds will be used for the future establishment of a church plant.

o Action Plan: The Team will examine types, styles, and areas of need of new church plants in Bradley Co. and Cleveland.

o Action Plan: The Team will explore the willingness of Bradley Baptist churches in partnering with new church plants and/or establishing satellite churches.

o Action Plan: The Team will report to the 2003 Bradley Baptist Annual Meeting regarding church planting needs in Bradley Co. and Cleveland.

o Action Plan: Upon approval at the 2003 Bradley Baptist Annual Meeting to proceed with a church plant, the Association will help partner churches and coordinate and prioritize available resources (materials, funding, people, etc…) with church plant needs.

o Action Plan: Within one year the first church plant will be established.

Objective:

TO ASSIST CHURCHES IN EFFECTIVELY PRESENTING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO EVERY PERSON.

Goal #2:

Conduct an annual Evangelism Fair and Rally as a time of informing, encouraging, challenging, and holding accountable Associational churches in the responsibility of evangelism.

o Action Plan: An annual Evangelism Rally, already in existence, will be conducted each winter.

o Action Plan: The rally will be a time of drawing the churches together in worship celebrating the joy, freedom, and availability of salvation through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

o Action Plan: Coordinating the speaker, music, and proceedings will be handled as the Associational Leadership so directs.

o Action Plan: Honorariums and other expenses will be placed in the Associational budget as has been done in previous years.

o Action Plan: An Evangelism Fair will be held two hours prior to the rally in an exhibition area.

o Action Plan: During the year, churches will be challenged to conduct evangelistic events (i.e. revivals, VBS, Backyard Bible Clubs, Special Ministries, Evangelistic focuses, Outreach Ministries, etc…). Those churches willing can design and display a 2’x3’ board with pictures and descriptions of their evangelistic event at the fair for the purpose of sharing ideas on doing evangelism at the local church level.

o Action Plan: Churches within the Association employing various evangelism strategies such as F.A.I.T.H., NET, G.R.O.W., C.W.T., E.E., etc.. Will be asked to set-up and man booths displaying information on the evangelism strategy they are employing.

o Action Plan: Local ministries such as Ocoee Outreach, Ocoee Resort Ministries, Manna Train, etc… will be invited to set-up booths explaining their ministries and how local churches can be involved.

o Action Plan: Tennessee Baptist Convention Evangelism Dept., NAMB Evangelism Dept. and Missions Mobilization Dept., and Lifeway will be invited to set-up booths displaying evangelism information and resources.

o Action Plan: Coordination of the fair will be handled by a three-member team appointed by the MDT from local lay members that show an interest in evangelism.

o Action Plan: Materials and expenses for the fair will be provided for those displaying boards and/or setting up booths. (Tables might be borrowed from the hosting facility.)

Objective:

TO ASSIST CHURCHES IN EFFECTIVELY PRESENTING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO EVERY PERSON.

Goal #3:

Develop and offer Associational Revival/VBS Teams to assist local churches in preparing for and conducting Revival Meetings or VBSs.

o Action Plan: Unlike the existing Associational VBS team whose purpose is to provide training on the use of current VBS materials, these teams will be for the purpose of assisting with the actual events.

o Action Plan: An individual will be nominated and elected by the Association to serve as Coordinator for Associational Revival/VBS Teams

o Action Plan: Coordinator will develop and distribute a survey in the local churches to find individuals with abilities and availability to assist other churches in preparing and conduction revivals and/or VBSs. Possible listing of abilities could be Prayer Walkers, Canvassers (door-to-door witnessing/inviting), Teachers, Singers, Speakers, and Testimony Givers.

o Action Plan: Coordinator will compile a master directory of names and contact information on individuals willing to be part of such teams. The directory will be divided into appropriate categories for easy reference.

o Action Plan: Coordinator will inform churches on the types of individuals available to comprise customized teams for them and the procedures for securing a team (request must be made three months prior to the event, provide name and contact information of person to correspond with, agree to provide local church members to work with the team and only use the team to assist, etc…).

o Action Plan: Coordinator will use the directory to contact volunteers when request are made and assemble the needed team. Then schedule the initial meeting between the local church and the team.

o Action Plan: A scheduling calendar will be maintained at the Associational office listing who is on the team, where they are assisting, and when.

o Action Plan: After the teams time of service, an evaluation meeting will be conducted to debrief the team of the experience, thank them for their service, and strategize on ways to be more effective with future teams.

o Action Plan: Coordinator will make a report at the Annual Meeting of teams that have serve in the past year.

Objective:

TO ASSIST CHURCHES IN EFFECTIVELY PRESENTING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO EVERY PERSON.

Goal #4:

The Association will serve as a facilitator of partnerships between local churches for the purpose of strengthening the evangelistic efforts of both churches.

o Action Plan: Contact local churches to discover which are using effective evangelism strategies and would be willing to partner with another church to train them in that evangelism strategy.

o Action Plan: Inform local churches of the opportunity to partner with the churches discovered for training and assistance in implementing an evangelism strategy in their church.

o Action Plan: When two churches have agreed to partner, establish the time span required for the training.

o Action Plan: Encourage local churches to post evangelistic events and mission projects/trips in the Beacon inviting people from other churches who may not be able to conduct such projects and trips to join with them.