THE TRANSITIONING OF PULASKI-BLECKLEY BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

Journey or Trip?

A snapshot taken on September 1, 2015 reveals the future story of the Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist Association. The photograph details the story from the eyesight of our Master, Jesus Christ himself. His eyes tell the story of His working thru the churches to achieve the Kingdom status just as He desires.

One’s attention is drawn first to the most obvious notation of the photograph; the individual churches. The current state of the churches is much different than past decades. Suffering thru years of unhealthy practices and life choices, every church now exists in a state of balanced focus and a conscious priority of vital health. This radical change in the life and personality of each church began in 2009 when each church agreed to utilize the Association as an intentional instigator of revisioning and refocusing the life of the church.

Exuberant life burst forth within the congregations when there was a shift away from congregational identity to Kingdom identity. Pastors and lay leaders rediscovered their biblical calling to be Kingdom focused; not a sustainer of local congregations. This understanding empowered local congregations to recognize and acknowledge themselves as team members, networking together, with planned strategies, using gifts and passions, to bring new meaning to the members’ lives and the body life of the church demonstrated in ministry and mission. This notation is recognizable in the snapshot by the healthy shoots of new life bursting forth with fruit from the stem of the church.

A third dimension is recognized by the level of impact the churches are having in transforming lives in Georgia and around the world. Local churches have begun fulfilling the Acts 1:8 Commission by networking to impact the daily lives of local residents and cooperating with the International Mission Board, The North American Mission Board, and the Georgia Baptist Convention to coordinate volunteer mission trips that will have a Kingdom focus. This dynamic focus is seen in the snapshot by the new congregations that have been birthed.

Vision Statement Guiding to the Future StoryThe vision of the Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist Association is vital, healthy churches networking to transform lives in

fulfilling the Great Commission.Purpose Statement Guiding the Vision

Under the authority of Christ, the purpose Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist Association is to equip and assist its churches in fulfilling the Great Commission.

The Future Story of Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist Association

On a trip we use a map. Precisely measured and drawn. Turn by turn directive.

On a journey we utilize a compass . The needle must be aligned. With what?

Current

Churches

Messengers Executive Administrative Committee Committee

Associational Missionary

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Restructure of the Executive Committee:Utilize messengers from each church

4 for the first 100 members and 1 for every 50

The new committee will consist of 193 members

Maintain quorum requirements of 30 members from 10 churches

Meetings will last no longer than 75 minutesAll reports will be printed and distributedFinancial and issues requiring a vote will be discussedInformational/Training time for the second half of meeting

Committee will meet three (3) times per yearAnnual Meeting in OctoberEarly FebruaryMid August

Pulaski-Bleckley Messenger RosterChurch Messengers

Antioch 6

Bethany 11

Blue Springs 5

Broad Street 12

Browndale 5

Christian Friends 4

Corinth 5

County Line 6

Empire 5

Evergreen 4

Faith 5

FBC, C 12

FBC, H 12

Hartford 4

Lakeview 7

Limestone 12

Midway 7

Mt Calvary 9

Mt Pleasant 8

Riverside 4

Ruth 10

Salem 8

Southside 10

Trinity 6

Union Hill 7

Westview 9

Total 193

Administration Team:Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Treasurer, 3 Permanent

Sub-Team Chairs, and the Associational Missionary.

FinancialLeadership EnlistmentMeetings and Hospitality

General Responsibility:Day to day operation of the AssociationFunction within the desires and directives of the

Messengers

Team Structure:Comprised of 3 to 5 members affirmed by messengers (Annual Meeting)

Comprised of gifted and talented persons desiring to assist churches

Teams will have the authority to create sub-teams when neededSub-teams are temporary; will disband upon task completionMust be approved by the Administration TeamMay not have more than 1 member from any church

Teams will meet once per monthSubmit minutes of meeting to Administration TeamShall administer budget allocations for ministry areasShall present budget request to the Budget Sub-Team

Teams are responsible for assisting churches and promoting the Kingdomwork

Team Assignments:

Administration: Church Strengthening Lostness

Budget Sunday School EvangelismNominating Music, VBS New ChurchPreacher/Place Youth Ministry DevelopmentVan Senior Adult MinistryResolutions Discipleship Training

Dev. Leadership Ministry/Missions Prayer

Team Leadership Acts 1:8 PrayerChurch Leadership Christian Social Ministry Spiritual AwakeningAssociation Leadership Missions Education ActivitiesResource Agents for Needs Hispanic Ministry

Children’s Home

Pulaski-Bleckley Team Meeting Schedule

Each sub-team will meet at 6:30 on the assigned night.

Each team will meet at 7:30 on the assigned night.

The Administration Team will meet at 8:30 on the assigned night.

Team meetings will not last more than an hour.Team leaders will have a prepared agenda for the

meeting.These meetings will be work sessions for planning and

implementation.All meetings will be scheduled on one evening to avoid

over crowding of our already busy schedules.

Pulaski-Bleckley Team Leaders’ Commitment

As a Team Leader, I commit to:

1. Lead a team for 2 years. During these two years I will be open to God’s direction and guidance. 2. Lead a team for which I have a Kingdom calling. I will honor God’s call upon my life and

lead with a Kingdom focus.

3. Lead a team as a life-long learner and not just a leader. I will continue to study, expanding my knowledge so that I will be prepared to lead.

4. Lead a team by valuing the team concept. Everyone will be valued and given an opportunity to contribute without criticism or ridicule. There is not an “I” in team; therefore, all decisions will be by consensus and not by vote.

5. Lead a team out of my commitment to growth in personal spiritual practices.

6. Lead a team with a prepared agenda so that meetings are highly productive.

7. Lead a team in meeting one (1) night per month. On those occasions when meeting is absolutely not possible, I will have someone to stand in with a prepared agenda.

Transition and Implementation

1. Discuss the transition with the Administrative Committee. (completed) 2. Schedule Town Hall meetings in each of the four districts of the association with the

Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and Associational Missionary. (completed) 3. Present transition to the Executive Committee for approval in August, or call a special

meeting in September to make the presentation. 4. Give the Strategy Development report to the messengers of the Annual Meeting and

receive affirmation of the new structure. 5. During the above process there will be a period of rewriting of the Bylaws (completed),

Constitution (completed), and the Policies and Procedures Manual. These will be adopted by the messengers of the Annual Meeting.

6. Implementation of new strategy and organization on 01/01/2010. 7. First team meetings scheduled for February 2010. All teams will meet on the same night

following the schedule of: Sub-teams meet at 6:30; teams meet at 7:30; and the Administrative Team meets at 8:30. No team meeting shall last more than one (1) hour.

Operational Matrix

ACTIVITY

Does activity strengthen

churches?

Does activity impact

lostness?

Hard “L-Turns” Expected

1. Loss of committee structure. 2. Loss of power. 3. Change. 4. New. 5. Removes some individuals from positions of leadership. 6. The process of transition. 7. The date of transition. 8. No other association, at least in Georgia, is operating with this paradigm.

Journey or Trip?

The Transitioning of

Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist

Association