wfn.org | ABCUSA: National Ministries Board Affirms New Ministry Purpose

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Green Lake, Wis. 11/20/04)--At its semiannual
meeting, the Board of National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA,
voted to affirm a new strategic ministry purpose with the objective of moving
the organization toward becoming a mission-focused, measurement-managed
organization.

The ministry purpose--"Actively develop and network Christ-centered
leadership for the transformation of persons, congregations, communities and
cultures"--is the result of a charge from the board to develop a way to
measure how National Ministries "moves forward the work of the church," said
President David Blythe.

Three strategic goals developed to accomplish the ministry purpose were also
affirmed to:
1. Increase the capacity of leaders to implement ministries of evangelism,
discipleship, transformation and prophetic justice, all rooted in love;
2. Build National Ministries' recognition within American Baptist Churches
USA for its unique role in advocacy, resourcing and networking; and
3. Identify an important social issue and engage American Baptists in making
a real difference on the issue through advocacy and hands-on involvement.

In his introduction of the redefined ministry purpose, Executive Director Dr.
Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, said, "With all the wonderful work National
Ministries does, it can be difficult to measure its impact." It's important
to determine "what real differences we are making." Also, as a
mission-focused, measurement-managed organization, said Blythe, "We will be
better able to do mission and tell the story of mission more effectively."

In other business, the Rev. Dr. David Laubach, associate executive director
of new churches, evangelism and transformation ministries, reported on the
progress toward the NEW LIFE 2010 vision to reach 1,000,010 new disciples,
plant 1,010 new churches, vitalize a multitude of caring ministries and
transform American Baptist congregations by 2010:
* 227 new American Baptist churches have been planted since 2000;
* 322,797 disciples have been baptized since 1998; and
* Approximately 10 percent of American Baptist churches are involved in at
least one transformation initiative.

Based on the current rate, Laubach projected that 630 more churches will be
planted by the end of 2010.

According to the 1996 Gallup Princeton Religion Study, more than 195 million
people in the United States--about two thirds of the population--are
unchurched, making it the third largest unchurched nation in the world.

"Sharing New Life--$20.10 for NEW LIFE 2010," an appeal to raise funds for
the NEW LIFE 2010 vision, has already topped $17,000, said Tia McCoun,
development coordinator, in her report to the board. The average gift is
$44.65, which means, McCoun said, "that a significant number of people are
putting in donations of $201 and $2,010. 

K/2004ABNS/04ABN130

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org