VA CBF Goals

[Dave Roberts]

The following are the adopted goals for CBFV. How do they mesh with the needs and concerns of other state or regional CBF groups?

“Top Ten” for CBF in Virginia

Picture this. In ten years, imagine CBF in Virginia is…

Becoming Younger. Increase the leadership and overall population of CBF in Virginia family who are 40 years and younger by 2019. We will do this by honoring and seeking wisdom from the generation who has built and strengthened this movement.


Increasing Diversity. Increase the diversity of leadership and overall population of CBF in Virginia family by 2019.


Becoming Greener. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to Chesapeake Bay, we in Virginia have been entrusted with beautiful “green spaces.” By 2019, let’s become known as the Baptists who champion stewardship of the earth.


Promoting Women Pastors. Not only should CBF in Virginia distribute the résumés of female ministers, we should promote and exhort church search committees to consider a woman as their next pastor. By 2019, let’s encourage women pastors as an active part of our Fellowship movement in Virginia.


Supporting BTSR. By 2019, let’s increase the overall number of churches who give annually to BTSR. Encourage leadership and participation from BTSR students in CBF in Virginia.


Embracing Technology. By 2019, CBF in Virginia becomes recognized nationally for our increased connection and service to churches, missionaries, and theological education via technology.


Encouraging Intergenerational Involvement in Mission. In partnership with PASSPORT, Inc. and other hands-on mission partners, CBF in Virginia will encourage and promote new initiatives for children, youth, and adults to connect with missions and missionaries in Virginia and around the globe.


Connecting Big & Small Churches. By 2019, CBF in Virginia will foster new partnerships and resource sharing between “big and small steeple” churches. Both groups will find their Baptist home and identity within this Fellowship.


Fostering Leadership in Congregations. In partnership with BTSR, CBF in Virginia will increase the overall number of students who consider the call to ministry and enter a CBF-related seminary. CBF in Virginia will actively partner with the BTSR to encourage greater training of laity within Virginia congregations.


Voicing the Progressive and Prophetic. By 2019, CBF in Virginia will be known as a progressive and prophetic voice for Baptists in Virginia who balance historic Baptist principles with new, creative partnerships for the promotion of the gospel and the establishment of God’s kingdom in Virginia and beyond.

[Ed Pettibone]

[Dave Roberts]

A couple of comments. VA has an aging population in the small towns and villages. We have a very young population in major metropolitan centers, especially those of Northern VA and those in the Tidewater. Military bases and govt jobs contribute to that.

As for BTSR, it is certainly not the only source for students coming into VA churches that are moderate. We have also received some excellent graduates from Campbell Divinity School, the Baptist House at Duke Divinity School, and my next door neighbor did his doctorate at Eastern/Palmer. BTSR, however, has its best chance to mold the next generation of VA moderate Baptist leaders. I admit I'm prejudiced because my son is a student there.

VA CBF churches lack the diversity that we might hope, but there are more diverse churches emerging as time goes on. I trust we will have ever more as time goes on.

Ed, thank you for your thoughtful response.