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ABCUSA: 'Seek It' Summit Culminates in Celebration, Affirmation and


From Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>
Date Thu, 24 Jun 2004 08:18:56 -0700

Direction for Vision and Mission

American Baptist News Service (Green Lake, Wis. 6/22/04)--In an atmosphere 
of joyful celebration, passionate prayer and the fellowship and bonding of 
diverse American Baptists, the 110 participants at the "Seek It Summit" 
here this week concluded an historic meeting yesterday energized and 
optimistic about the future direction and Christ-centered impact of 
American Baptist Churches USA and affirmed that American Baptists are "a 
people of prayer, purpose and passion."

Drawing upon an unprecedented number of responses from laity and clergy 
across the country, the participants listened through prayer, worship and 
discussion for God's call upon American Baptists.

In a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit, delegates produced a proposed 
vision statement for the denomination:

	"A people of prayer, purpose, and passion...
	We are American Baptists"

"American Baptists are a Christ-centered, biblically grounded, ethnically 
diverse people called to radical personal discipleship in Christ 
Jesus.	Our commitment to Jesus propels us to nurture authentic 
relationships with one another; build healthy churches; transform our 
communities, our nations and our world; engage every member in hands-on 
ministry; and speak the prophetic word in love.

"As a people of prayer, purpose, and passion, we are in the forefront of 
creating a community of faith where people of every race, nationality and 
culture gather as one in worship, service and work.

"The heart of the gospel is God's redemptive love.  In our life together, 
the world will see the power of forgiveness to overcome alienation, the 
strength of love to transform hate, the power of grace to break the bonds 
of guilt, the triumph of hope over despair, and the victory of faith over 
doubt.

"Through the cross of Christ we embrace the world as neighbor.	Our vision 
for mission energizes a multitude of servant ministries of evangelism, 
discipleship, leadership, new church development, social justice, healing, 
peacemaking, economic development and education.  Empowered by the Holy 
Spirit, we work together in mutual submission, humility, love, and giving 
that the gospel might be preached and lived in all the world."

Those at the Summit represented the broad ethnic, racial, geographic, age 
and theological diversity of the denomination.	Many expressed an increased 
appreciation for American Baptist mission--and for each other--through the 
positive interaction, dialog and frequent periods of prayer that were part 
of four days of small and large group work.

The "Seek It" Summit, held June 18-21, is the culmination of the 
denomination-wide "Seek It" endeavor begun nine months ago. Subtitled 
"Finding God's Way for a New Day," "Seek It" has utilized the Appreciative 
Inquiry organizational change tool that focuses on encouraging as many 
constituents in an organization as possible to tell their best stories and 
reveal their highest hopes for the organization's future.  Summit 
participants responded to detailed input from more than 2,500 respondents 
who have been interviewed since last fall throughout American Baptist 
Churches USA, with all 35 regions represented in the interviews.

The statements that are the results of the "Seek It" interviewing process 
and Summit seek to reflect "what God wants to build new and fresh in our 
midst," according to American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the 
Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley.  "This inspired vision statement and motto will be 
shared with numerous bodies and at American Baptist events to gain the best 
thinking of a wider range of committed American Baptists," Medley 
said.  Following that the General Board will be asked to act on them this 
November.  Input will be gathered this week at an initial presentation 
before the General Board and its Mission Vision Planning group, at the 
meeting of the Biennial Program Committee and at the semiannual meetings of 
the Boards of National and International Ministries.  Additional feedback 
is expected from participants at this summer's National Youth Gathering and 
Black Church Education Conference and at a national staff gathering in 
September.

Medley challenged Summit participants to share the vision statement--and 
their passionate endorsement of its message--with American Baptists near 
and far. He said the upcoming responses to the documents will "energize and 
empower us" and "reflect God's beckoning voice to us."

The mandate of the Summit was to review the collected interview data and 
build a new vision statement that encompasses the grassroots ideas of 
American Baptists and seeks to discern a new future from God.  The "Seek 
It" Task Force, a larger Discovery Team and other Summit participants have 
worked with a staff consulting team to provide direction for the 
process.  Consulting team members included David Chandler, Office of 
Communication; Susan Gillies, ABC of Nebraska; Dr. Sumner Grant, The 
Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board; General Secretary A. Roy Medley; 
Richard Schramm, Office of Communication; Dr. Stanley Slade, International 
Ministries; the Rev. Marilyn Turner, National Ministries; Dr. C. Jeff 
Woods, Office of the General Secretary; and the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. 
Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries.  The process was led by 
consultants Dr. James Ludema, professor of organizational development at 
Benedictine University, and by Dr. Michael Mantel, managing director of!
  World Vision Chicago, both of whom previously had helped International 
Ministries complete an Appreciative Inquiry process several years ago that 
resulted in IM's "Go Global" mission emphasis.

Participants, working in small and large groups to discuss and analyze the 
responses, were supported in their tasks through frequent opportunities for 
worship and prayer.

In preparation for developing the vision statement and motto, Summit 
attendees, utilizing the collected interview data, identified the things 
that most inspire and engage American Baptists today. In citing the 
recurring best qualities and characteristics reported within churches and 
the denomination, participants also considered the special stand-out 
stories and quotes gathered from American Baptists across the country.

The work of the Summit then focused on developing the vision statement and 
motto that reflected the best hopes and expectations for their denomination 
expressed by the 2,500 participants in the "Seek It" process.  A writing 
team was commissioned, and began their task with a special service of 
prayer and anointing.  Summit participants then responded to the writing 
team's documents and affirmed final drafts.

Additional information, photographs and video clips are available on the 
"Seek It" Website--abc-usa.org/seekit--which will be updated to include 
other "Seek It" coverage. 


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