BJC pre-mailing

In a couple of weeks your church will be receiving info on the Baptist Joint Committee.


Every few years an issue will arise that is so controversial or so important, or both, that churches are asked to send their delegates to the General Conference session with instructions about how to cast that church’s vote. This process is called a “vote by churches” and when it occurs it takes two years to complete. One Conference session will send the issue to the churches for a vote at Conference the following year. During the Conference session in 2006 such a vote was set for a vote by churches at the Conference 2007 session.

In a couple of weeks your church will receive a packet with info on the Baptist Joint Committee. In this packet there will be pro and con opinions on whether we should remain affiliated with the BJC.

The “vote by churches” Formula is based on the following: “two delegates for each member church, as a church, and one additional delegate for each ten members of the church or major fraction of ten members.” The Conference will allocate delegates based on the statistics your church submits to General Conference Office by the end of February 2007, so it is especially important this year to submit accurate numbers. A church which has not submitted membership numbers will be allowed to cast only the minimum number of votes to which a church can be entitled, that is, three.

According to the Bylaws, past practice, or the action of Conference in 2006, your church has the following options for the vote in 2007:
1. It may cast a unanimous [“block”] vote either “yes” or “no” or it may divide its vote.
2. It may send its delegates with instructions about how to vote - or -
3. It may send its delegates uninstructed, allowing them to caucus at Conference to decide how the church’s votes will be cast.

Whenever we have an issue come before us that requires a “vote by church”, it is a very important topic of discussion. It is imperative that your church discuss the pros and cons of this subject matter when you receive the materials and always remember to pray before voting. This is not a matter that should be dealt with in haste. Rather, it should be one that is given the utmost attention to the detail and background.

God Bless you all as you work on issues that we all have opinions on. May your discussions be fruitful, respectful and insightful! I pray that our work together is not divisive and our unity will become stronger.