Minutes from April 8, 2008 Executive Committee Meeting
Dover Baptist Association Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting April 8, 2008, 7:30 P.M. North Run Baptist Church
Moderator Steve Adkins called the meeting to order. He read John 14:1-8 and led in prayer. Then he asked that any new Executive Committee representatives, personnel, or guests identify themselves. Don Bradley identified himself as a new representative from Corinth Baptist Church. The Moderator called for any additions or corrections to the minutes of the January Executive Committee meeting (see attached). They stood approved as printed.
Administrative Services Reports
Moderator Adkins reported that the Mission Resource Recommendation Team has been formed and begun meeting. Bob Moran leads the team, and Audrey Holmes serves as the team’s recorder. The team has the responsibility of recommending how the association will use the proceeds from the sale of the Patterson Avenue property held by Dover Investment I, L.L.C. and the Richmond Heights Baptist Church property. Adkins asked that anyone wanting to make a suggestion contact Derek Gordon, a team member and ministry staff member at New Highland Baptist Church.
Virginia Baptist Mission Board representatives Peggy Hildreth and Todd Combee (at large) reported. First quarter receipts are down with many churches not having sent Cooperative Program gifts for the first quarter of 2008. Representative Steve Smith announced the upcoming Pastors and Deacons Conference at Eagle Eyrie which will include a performance by the African Children’s Choir.
Steve Allsbrook presented the financial report for FY2007 (see attached). He invited questions, but there were none. He thanked the member churches for their continuing generosity. Steve also reported that Jody Wright started working one day per week as Dover’s bookkeeper on January 8. (Jody also keeps the books for Richmond Baptist Association.)
Nita May reported for Central Virginia Baptist Ministries. She thanked Dover churches and association leaders who participated in the CVBM Deacons and Pastors Conference on March 10. More than 350 participated from nine associations and a total of 66 churches. Bob Boggs (Dover staff), Alan Ray (pastor at Ridge Baptist Church), and Alvin “Pickle” Williams (deacon at Little Elam Baptist Church) served as session leaders.
Nita announced the CVBM Vacation Bible School Workshop will be held April 21 at Mechanicsville Baptist Church. It will feature LifeWay’s “Outrigger Island” curriculum.
The raceway ministry will accept cookies to share as part of its hospitality ministry in May. Cookies are due in the association office by May 1. May 2 is “Bring a Kid to the Race” Day, chaired by Derek Gordon. There are still openings for volunteers.
The Virginia State Fair is scheduled for September 25-October 5. CVBM is asking churches to provide 300 hospitality bags filled with sample size shampoo, toothpaste, gum, and similar items for carnivals workers. Each bag will include an invitation to attend a FREE home cooked breakfast served by CVBM volunteers/ and a music/worship time on both Sunday mornings of the fair. Volunteers are needed to help. Contact the CVBM office at 804-598-6350 or gayle.taylor@cvbm.org. The ministry is also seeking supplies for the Lost Child Ministry. In addition, the volunteers who serve three shifts in the new “Ambassador Program” will receive a free ticket for themselves and one other person.
On April 22 CVBM will sponsor a Habitat for Humanity project. All volunteers on these homes will come from the three associations on that day.
Nita asked that Dover Baptists hold September 22 and 29 for the CVBM Church Leadership Development Conference. Branches Baptist Church (Middle District Association) will host the conference on September 22. Dover’s Mount Vernon Baptist Church will host the conference on September 29.
A possible project this fall may assist Dover’s Rappahannock Indian Baptist Church.
The church wants to turn part of its basement into an office, and CVBM may assist with this project. Contact nita.may@cvbm.org to volunteer.
Bob and Barbara Boggs reported on the seven weeks that they helped Emmaus Baptist Church during the sabbatical granted Pastor Vallerie King. Bob reported about the tornado damage to (Little Elam Baptist Church) Pastor Frank Long’s home in Suffolk and asked that we also pray for several ministers with health problems. Barbara also shared about a luncheon for the wives of current Dover Baptist pastors. A second lunch fellowship is set for August 16. In addition, she invited those present to attend the Dover WMU Annual Meeting on May 13 at North Run Baptist Church, featuring Rob and Sarah Patterson from Toronto.
Sandy Weakley and Sue Hall reported about a training event held at Virginia Beach for ministry assistants. Two ministry assistants came from Toronto churches to participate in the event. Sandy also announced that Henry Blackaby will speak at the National Ministry Assistants Conference at Ridgecrest, April 22-25, 2009.
In his report Steve Allsbrook shared that both Frank Long (Little Elam) and Ken Smith (Hardy Central Baptist Church) have returned to preaching at their respective churches following surgery. Steve also reported that the part-time ministry assistant position at the Dover office is vacant again.
Darlene Slater Herod reported for the 225th Anniversary Celebration Planning Team.
The plans are moving forward. Many churches have submitted biographical sketches and photos. The team presented the first commemorative shirt and tote bag to Moderator Adkins and expressed gratitude to Matt Davidson for his help on these. The next event will take place as the program for Dover’s Senior Adult Luncheon on May 20.
Fred Gibson reported for the Nominations Committee. The committee is completing its work of securing Dover’s officers and leaders for 2008-2009. It will present the roster of nominees at the Semiannual Meeting on April 27.
Steve Allsbrook reported for the trustees. The trustees have continued their conversation with leaders of Atlee Community Church re starting a new work in the far West End of Henrico County. This is related to the Wynbrook legacy. Steve further reported for the trustees that the proceeds from the sale of the Patterson Avenue property have been invested while the association awaits the recommendation(s) of the Mission Resource Recommendation Team.
Mission Performance, Missions Development, and Other Reports
Nancy King reported for the Resource Center (Church Library) Ministry Team. She previewed several new resources available from the Dover library. She also spoke of the church library conference to be held May 16-18 at Eagle Eyrie. Nancy reported that The Resource Center, a ministry supported by Dover and others, will hold its 2008 Outstanding Christian Educators Banquet on November 14 at Bon Air Baptist Church.
Steve Allsbrook reported that the Missions Development Council has awarded a Church Challenge Grant to Shalom Baptist Church. This grant will help Shalom “mug the community” with gift mugs from Shalom members as an outreach project.
Todd Combee, Partnership Missions Council, reported that the Toronto Partnership will officially conclude this year. He also announced that Dover will join Virginia Baptists in the South Africa Partnership, helping to sponsor church planters there. Thirteen partners will each provide a total of $1,250 over a five-year period to help pay for the planter’s salary. Dover will seek twelve partnering churches, groups, or individuals to jointly sponsor one church planter.
Jennifer Chrisman reported on the ESL ministry that assists those who have another native tongue to learn English. She will lead the next Dover training workshop August 8-10.
Contact the Dover office or Jennifer to enroll.
Business Session
Clerk Ethel Williams reported the presence of a quorum (at least 15 churches) of representatives from 22 churches made up of 40 Executive Committee representatives and 14
others. There was no unfinished business.
Mike Gillen presented recommendations from the Personnel Committee to create the position of Associate for Missions with related job description, salary, and benefits (see attached). The Executive Committee approved the creation of the position, the job description, and the related salary and benefits.
David Chrisman presented a recommendation from the Student Ministries Council that Dover award the 2008 Paul Hepler Scholarship in the amount of $450.00 to Mark Dixon from Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. The Executive Committee voted its approval.
Darlene Slater Herod presented a recommendation from the 225th Anniversary Celebration Planning Team that Dover designate five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) from unspent 2007 receipts toward costs associated with the 225th Anniversary Celebration. The Executive Committee approved this too.
The moderator called attention to the announcements printed in the agenda (attached) about upcoming events and deadlines.
Gordon Harris (Emmaus) moved that we adjourn the meeting. The Executive Committee concurred, and Arnette Adkins closed the meeting with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Williams, Clerk
