CHAUNCEY CONFIRMED BY CONSERVATIVES

by A. C. Smith                                                                                                                           Vol. IX, No. 4, April 1996

The Rev. Doyle Chauncey was confirmed unanimously as the first full time Executive Director of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia by the approximately 400 messengers meeting at Grove Avenue Baptist Church the evening of 21 March.

"This is a great night for Virginia Baptists," said Kelly Burris, chairman of the search committee and pastor of Kempsville Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. "I believe this is a night that will go down in history."

A letter was read to the audience from Bob Reccord, pastor of First Baptist Church of Norfolk, the largest Southern Baptist Church in the state of Virginia, where Chauncey has been on staff, commending Chauncey to the SBCV. "I know that the decision that you made today will be of importance," said Reccord's letter. "I want to affirm my friend and colleague." The letter said that Chauncey would bring all conservatives on board. Reccord, in the correspondence, spoke of the SBCV as a restructuring, which seemed to allude to the restructuring happening at the national level.

More churches are contributing to the SBCV with the announcement of Chauncey's directorship. The SBCV now has 105 churches supporting the fledgling organization. Thirteen new churches have come on board with contributions since 1 December, the beginning of the SBCV fiscal year.

Among those who addressed and affirmed the group was Jerry Rankin, president of the Foreign Mission Board. "What a joy it is to be with you," said Rankin. He reported on the record gains being made in foreign missions.

Chauncey told those attending about his objectives as leader of the SBCV. 'We need to discover the biblical purpose of why we exist, what is our business and what isn't our business," said Chauncey. "To know our purpose builds morale, reduces frustration, and promotes cooperation. "

Chauncey brings lots of experience to the SBCV. Most recently he has been serving as an associate pastor at First Baptist of Norfolk. He formerly served as the treasurer for the Baptist General Association of Virginia 1978 to 1982. He has served as pastor of Liberty Baptist in Appomattox and New Covenant Baptist in Richmond.