Baptist Assembly 2005 to Discuss BMS World Mission Leadership Reforms

BMS World Mission has proposed a series of leadership reforms that are to be discussed by Baptist leaders in the upcoming 2005 Assembly on 23rd April. The changes approved include the replacement of the General Committee with a Council of Reference and the end of the role of President.

According to BMS World Mission, the role of president has been increasingly and largely filled by other elected posts. For example, Area and National Coordinators as well as the developing network of BMS advocates usually play the role of president to represent BMS to churches and associations. In addition, it is difficult to find people able to give the time and commitment that the role of president requires.

The General Committee of BMS World Mission has voted unanimously for the dissolution of the post of president. A notice of change will be given on the Baptist Assembly 2005, but the decision will be finally sought at the 2006 Assembly.

However, for the moment the 2005 Assembly will still install the new president of BMS World Mission for this year - Rev David Doonan. Rev David was born and brought up in the Republic of Ireland. He entered Spurgeon College to train for Baptist ministry in 1959. After graduation, he went to Brazil with his wife as missionaries and they set up a theological seminary there. After his retirement, he has been serving several working groups within BMS including the Board of Management for six years. Very likely, Rev David will become the last BMS President since the post was first set up in 1993.

Mark Craig, BMS Communications Director, said, "This ushers in an exciting new era for BMS. The office of the President has served BMS well, but has now served its purpose. Representation of BMS in our churches is now effectively undertaken by Area and National Co-ordinators as well as BMS advocates."

Senior executive comments on mission issues will continue to come from the General Director of BMS, Alistair Brown, with non-executive comments coming from the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Martin Pearse.

In addition, the General Committee, which has played an important role in the overall control of BMS World Mission, will be replaced by the Council of Reference.

While the General Committee has been a large group of 107 members, the Council of Reference will be reduced to a maximum of 74. The duration of the meetings will also be changed from three days at a time, twice a year to one day at a time, twice a year.

Craig explained, "BMS hopes that the reduced time commitment will encourage an even wider range of people to want to serve on the Council of Reference." The Council of Reference (appointed largely by associations and national unions) will also hold the responsibility of appointing members to the Board of Trustees.

He continued, "The importance of the Council of Reference (and currently of General Committee) cannot be understated. The input, support and direction of UK Baptist churches have always been integral to what BMS does and the Council's membership will underline that. We are, in a very real sense, the mission agency of UK Baptists and the Council will provide a streamlined and effective point of contact and involvement, ensuring that BMS remains the primary agent of mission for UK Baptists."

The Baptist Assembly 2005 will be held on Saturday 23rd April from 11:30am to 9:30pm at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. Gathered under the theme "Celebrating Diversity", the Baptist family will join together for worship, prayer, celebration and encouragement. There will be an induction of the new president of both the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and BMS World Mission.