CBF Interim Coordinator on Senior Staff Departures

[Big Daddy Weaver]

[Sandy]

[Tim Bonney]

[Sandy]

[Ed Pettibone]

Ed: I think that when Sandy says, "These five leaders have seen the proverbial handwriting on the wall. You can't really blame them. Maybe they are finding 'enhanced forms through which to express their own CBF identities', but I think they are finding different streams of revenue from which to draw their salary", perhaps he may be projecting his own motivation for his vocational choice to work outside Baptist Life, upon these five.

[William Thornton]

I am merely curious about the CBF, it's future, etc., but it cannot be described without being referenced as a steeply declining organization, at least on the national level. A new leader has virtually no chance of regenerating the kinds of budgets they had earlier and is likely to be seen as an administrative manager of a small revenue stream and a public face for a small segment of Baptist life, not that there is anything wrong with all that

I would be interested in hearing what the committees CBF folks here think about the future.

Isn't the real movement in CBF life taking place in the state organizations?

[Tim Bonney]

[Sandy]

[Tim Bonney]

I've always found the local church to be the best place to be. I've had some opportunities at denominational positions over the years all of which I turned down or chose not to pursue further. Right now being a denominational employee (and I think this applies to CBF too) is an uncertain business. Most denominations are cutting staff, agencies, and budgets. Some are doing so simply because the money isn't there. Others are choosing a "leaner and meaner" approach to structure.

But, local churches are also experiencing financial difficulties. So second staff positions are becoming rarer. I understand that only about 10% of UMC congregations have a full-time Associate Pastor and that those positions are becoming fewer. In fact the church I serve currently has two part-time staff doing what was once done by an Associate because frankly it is cheaper to get several part-timers than it is to pay all the benefits for a full-time ordained clergy person. The cost of full-time staff just continues to rise year after year with healthcare costs continuing to go up, etc.

All that being said, if the CBF is having budgetary issues I don't think that is all that unique or different. It may have little to do with what the CBF is or isn't doing. It may be just part of the bigger trend in church and denominational giving which in nearly every place is down.