Online registration opens for SBC in Indianapolis

by   Staff                                                                                                                                                       Vol. XVII, No. 3, March 2004

Online registration for the 2004 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis opened Feb. 1. Churches can register their messengers online at the SBC website, www.sbc.net, to avoid waiting at the counter upon arrival at the convention while a registration volunteer types in various lines of information.

By registering online, the SBC website gives a church a "messenger reference number" form to be printed out and presented by each messenger at the SBC registration booth in exchange for a name tag and a set of ballots.

The appropriate church-authorized representative must complete all online registration. The process includes entering information normally found on the traditional messenger card as follows:

-- the church's seven-digit ID number, which is found on the church's Annual Church Profile. To ensure security, a subsequent webpage includes a list of a number of randomly selected churches, in addition to the church matching the ID number. The church simply selects its name from the list and moves to the next step.

-- the name of the church moderator or clerk whose name will appear on the printed form.

-- the church's membership, gifts to Southern Baptist causes and affiliations (local and state).

-- the messengers' names and information.

Online registration ends at midnight June 12 – after which registration must be done at the registration desk beginning at 4 p.m. June 13. Names can be added, edited and deleted up to June 12. Each messenger must present the printed form that shows the messenger's reference number – given on the website – at the registration booth in order to receive a name tag and set of ballots.

The traditional registration method also will be available for those churches unable to use Internet access. [BP]