Jefferson City — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Missouri soon will seek input from a broader base of individuals with ties to it.
Members of CBFMO's Coordinating Council Jan. 28 approved a plan to develop an advisory group. The advisory group would assist with growth, development and direction of CBFMO, but would have no authority over the Coordinating Council.
The plan calls for group members to be drawn from among former moderators and Coordinating Council members, pastors and laypeople who have identified themselves with CBF and individuals who have contributed to CBFMO.
The group will meet once each year, with the first session scheduled for Sept. 15 in Jefferson City.
At that meeting, the group will assess ways CBFMO can better serve churches, discuss strategies for growth throughout the state and offer feedback that might affect CBFMO's future plans. Group members also will be updated on the organization's current ministries and initiatives.
"We need to be involving a larger group than this one [the Coordinating Council]," moderator Jeanie McGowan noted. "We need to be grooming others to join this group [the council]."
During their Jan. 28 meeting, council members approved a request by coordinator Harold Phillips for CBFMO to join the Missouri Christian Leadership Forum.
MCLF is composed of chief executive officers and representatives from about 20 denominations in Missouri. They meet to discuss broad cultural and theological issues and ways in which believers can respond to needs.
"We are determined to work together more effectively to bring the gospel to the world through witness and service," MCLF's mission statement notes.
Phillips informed the council that a new network is being established as a "moderate voice" to present a "broad biblical perspective" to Missouri's legislators.
Although primarily Baptists have signed up with the group so far, Phillips said the Centrist Christian Network is designed to be a non-partisan coalition from a broad range of denominations. Individuals and churches can find out more on the network's Web site at www.centristchristian.net.
Council members also approved personnel policies after a lengthy discussion about appropriate employee vacation time.
In addition, the council heard several reports, including an update on the organization's General Assembly April 28-29 in St. Louis.
The Coordinating Council's next meeting is set for March 23 at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City. (02-09-06)
