New Convention Recommended

                 Vol. IX, No. 7, August 1996

Where? Grove Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond

When? Monday, September 16  Business: 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Worship & Celebration: 6:30 p.m. with special guest speakers Junior Hill and John Phillips

With our full-time executive director on board, with another year's experience behind us, with Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia activities and contributions growing rapidly, the SBCV Executive Committee met on August 16th and voted to recommend that the SBCV declare itself a new state convention, entirely separate from the Baptist General Association of Virginia.

The recommendation reads: "The Executive Committee recommends the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia declare themselves a state convention at our annual meeting on September 16, 1996." A second motion was approved "That the Executive Committee recommend that the present organization of the SBCV, including constitution, committees, etc., remain in place until a transition committee, as appointed by the President, has brought its recommendation at the 1997 meeting, or a called meeting, and that this be a part of the recommendation to form a state convention to be made at the September [1996] meeting."

It seems likely that the recommendation will be approved at the annual meeting September 16th at Grove Avenue Church in Richmond. If so, this will be a history making event among Southern Baptists, for never before have there been two state conventions within the same geographical area, yet nothing in the SBC constitution forbids it. (If you have questions about the process, SBC "recognition", etc., see the article "Q&A about a Possible New State Convention" in the previous [June/July] Banner.) You will want to be in Richmond to vote on this most significant issue.

Everyone is invited to attend this very important meeting, but those planning to come need to be aware that only authorized messengers will be able to vote during the business session. Messengers will be determined in accordance with the constitution and bylaws which base representation upon contributions to and through the SBCV (NOT simply TO the SBCV). The list of contributions during the previous twelve months (1 July 1995-30 June 1996) and the consequent number of authorized messengers is printed below for your information. [List omitted on website.] If your church has contributed in the last twelve months but does not appear on the list, please contact the SBCV office immediately at 757-363-0153.

Individuals whose churches do not contribute can be messengers if they give any amount personally. Contributions between now and the time of the meeting will also count toward messenger representation so everyone is urged to mail contributions in as soon as possible before the Annual Meeting.

Messenger cards can be obtained by writing or calling the SBCV office: SBCV; P.O. Box 62000, Virginia Beach, VA 23466; 757363-0153. (Yes, the area code in Tidewater is changing.)