It's Official, SBVC Underway

by    T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                                                Vol. VI, No. 7, September 1993

Approximately 350-400 conservatives gathered at Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond on Thursday, 2 September, to officially launch the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. The meeting opened with a time of music, prayer, greetings from host pastor Ron Boswell, and a message by Rev. Al Gilbert, pastor of Liberty Baptist, Hampton.

The Constitution and By-Laws Workgroup chaired by Pastor Jess Jackson of Westwood Hill Baptist, Virginia Beach, received thoughtful attention, and several amendments were moved. Most discussion resulted from one offered by Dr. Greg Pierce, D.O.M. of Powell River Association. Article 111 - Doctrinal Position opens by saying, "We believe that the Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, wholly without error as originally given by God, and is sufficient as our only infallible rule of faith and practice." The amendment suggested inserting after "given by God," the phrase "and which we possess in the authorized King James Version of 1611,". There was considerable but sweet-spirited discussion of pros and cons, but the final vote by an overwhelming margin was to retain the original language. Amendments adopted addressed clarifications or consistency, for example, in one case "pastoral" was changed to "ministerial." All proposals were well-intended, and the group was clearly united in spirit and intent.

One significant proposal was that we amend the by-laws to include a standing committee for children and youth. However, it was pointed out that we would not be proceeding according to the procedures for amendment we had just adopted but that we could establish an ad hoc committee. So we did. The Nominating Committee will set up an ad hoc committee on Children and Youth with the understanding that an amendment will be proposed through the proper procedures to provide for such a standing committee at our next annual meeting.

Because this was the first SBCV meeting at which we had a constitution and by-laws, there were a few glitches which have to be worked out in order to bring decisions into accord with the new documents. For example, the documents require that "Elected membership [of the Executive Committee] shall be lay and ministerial with not less than 30% from either category." But it was noticed that the 20-member Executive Committee we had just elected included only three laymen. That and a few similar problems with the standing committees were referred to the Nominating Committee for adjustment.

The interim officers elected at the 28 January meeting in Lynchburg were all reelected by acclamation with appreciation expressed for their service. Similarly, the Executive Committee members were also reelected with three exceptions: two members had moved out of state; your editor missed the third. As noted there will have to be three adjustments to increase the number of lay members on the Executive Committee to the 30% (six individuals) required.

Jim Pope, Chairman of the Financial Workgroup, and Doyle Chauncey, Treasurer, brought the financial report and a proposed budget. The report showed receipts of $32,017.68, disbursements of $5,133.10, and balance on hand $26,884.58.

The proposed budget is in very broad terms because the SBCV is just getting underway and has no full-year history of either receipts or expenditures as a baseline. The total proposed budget for 1993 is $100,000, for 1994 $150,000. A general rule was adopted that the SBCV incur expenses only when funds are available. The interim budget guidelines for this year are that 70% will go to missions in Virginia, 20% to ministry programs in Virginia, and 10% to administration. Of course those percentages may change as needs emerge. At the end of each fiscal year any unrestricted excess funds will be sent to the Southern Baptist Convention. A monthly report of all receipts and disbursements will be sent to the Finance Committee and Executive Committee members.

It should be noted that the constitution provides for a paid Executive Director/Treasurer. However, that position is open and there is no current intention of filling it. It is, in effect, a stand-by providing for a possible future need. The present Treasurer is on staff at First Baptist, Norfolk, and receives no remuneration from the SBCV. The SBCV has no paid employees.

Churches are asked to increase their percentage giving to the SBC and the SBCV and to contribute regularly, weekly or monthly. Contributions should be mailed to:

Mr. Doyle Chauncey

 Treasurer, SBCV

 P.O. Box 62000

 Virginia Beach, VA 23466

[Note: The P. O. Box really is number 62000, NOT 6200. ]

The Finance Committee and Treasurer expect to present a line item budget at our next annual meeting. No precise date was set for that meeting, but the Executive Committee will set a date for approximately this time in 1994.