SBCV Affiliation Timing Changed

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                           Vol. XVII, No. 2, February 2004

Under the amended SBCV Constitution and Bylaws adopted last November a date has been established by which applications from churches to join the SBCV must be received. This is certainly not to make it difficult to join, but rather to allow enough time that each application can be carefully and thoroughly considered.

So that each church can understand the timetable and requirements, Article III, Affiliation, is reprinted here:

A. Affiliation Qualifications: An affiliated church must agree with the foundational beliefs of this Convention set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws. Affiliated churches must actively cooperate with the work of the SBCV through regular financial support.

B. Method of Church's Becoming Affiliated:

1. Any Baptist church desiring affiliation in this body shall complete an affiliation application indicating agreement with the doctrinal position of the SBCV and make an initial contribution to the SBCV. Such application must be received at the state office at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting.

2. All churches having submitted an affiliation application shall be examined by the Executive Board (or a designated subcommittee thereof) as to their qualifications. If found acceptable, the Executive Board will grant provisional affiliation status to the applicant church. The Executive Board will present all applicant churches to the next Annual Meeting with an affirmative or negative recommendation.

3. All churches receiving at least 3/4 affirmative majority at the Annual Meeting shall be welcomed to affiliation.

********************************

The 2004 SBCV annual meeting will be held at Spotswood Baptist Church in Fredericksburg on 8-9 November. Thus your affiliation applications must be received not later than 8 September to be voted in at the 2004 meeting. Of course, the sooner they are submitted the easier the approval process becomes.