wfn.org | ABCUSA: National Ministries' Board Approves New Mission Priorities

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

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 11/15/03)--At the
semiannual meeting of the Board of National Ministries, American Baptist
Churches USA, that concluded today, directors voted unanimously to approve
new strategic priorities that incorporate the ministries of discipleship and
publishing with the ministries of witness, renewal and justice.

The Six Strategic Priorities were introduced as "the guiding principles upon
which we aim to align our ministry of doing mission in America" by Executive
Director Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III during his address to the board
yesterday. 

Wright-Riggins also introduced a new logo and mission statement that reflect
the changing organization. "God is doing a new thing," the executive
director said. "God is moving us across the Red Sea and into the Promised
Land." 

The new logo-composed of the letters "N" and "M" separated by a contemporary
cross-is both modern and traditional, said Wright-Riggins, but "more than
anything, it is as solid as we are centered in Christ." The logo's colors
represent variations of the teal used in National Ministries' previous logo
and the burgundy used in the logo of Educational Ministries. 

In the midst of change, the updated mission statement "will help us focus on
mission-mindedness, while incorporating ministries of discipleship,
education and publishing," said Wright-Riggins as he introduced the new
text:

National Ministries-a mission and education organization of American Baptist
Churches USA-encourages life in Christ through individuals, faith
communities and social systems. Networking with partners in the United
States and Puerto Rico to introduce people to Christ, National Ministries
fosters church and community transformation, discipleship and justice-making
ministries.	

In her final address, the Rev. Susan Maybeck, outgoing president of the
Board of National Ministries, said, "I may be done, but you are not done. I
encourage us all to open ourselves to the new challenges that God holds for
us. We have taken a bold step, a bold step to welcome discipleship and
publishing into our room in the house. I feel that we have accomplished a
great thing during these two years. I leave with a sense of joy for what has
been done and a sense of hope for what is to come. It's time to cast our
eyes around and see what a new National Ministries will look like."

K/2003ABNS/03ABN145

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