DALLAS - The Baptist General Convention of Texas has launched a process of "revisioning" that is expected to lead to reorganization of the convention's work.

Charles Wade, executive director, announced Friday, Feb. 27, the formation of four "Revisioning Teams" that will help shape a new vision for the BGCT. He created four teams of 10-13 people each. Two groups consist of pastors (one younger, one older), one has laypersons and another has Executive Board staff members.
"I wanted to bring together a broad variety of our Texas Baptist people to seek God's vision for our future," Wade said. "Three years ago we made some changes in our organizational structure, and we have seen welcome improvements.

The time is right for us to look at what the role of our convention will be in the years ahead."

Wade expressed appreciation to Ken Hall, BGCT president, and other officers for "their encouragement in seeing that the convention move forward aggressively in responding to the challenges presented by a changing Texas and by a world in desperate need of the gospel. The officers and I desire the best Texas Baptists can do."

The Revisioning Teams will identify critical issues facing the convention and churches, provide opinions regarding priorities and suggest "possible models for organization," said Chris Liebrum, director of human resources.

"We need a clearer vision that we can build towards, a vision that is so clear, so compelling it will communicate to all Texas Baptists a positive direction for the future," he said.

Each team will meet the week of March 1-5 and hold three meetings by the middle of April, Wade said.

"The results of their work will flow to the Executive Director's Office, where we will develop a strategic plan and begin to work on structure and organizational solutions that will move us forward in achieving the vision God sets before us," he said. Reports will be given to the Executive Board in its May and September meetings.
Sherrill Spies, a member of First Baptist Church in The Woodlands with experience in strategic planning and organizational design, will guide the process, Liebrum said. "Not only does she know organizations, she knows Texas Baptists."

All regions of the state are represented in the revisioning process, Liebrum said. The teams also have ethnic and gender diversity. "Dr. Wade has spent a lot of time in prayer and in consultation with Texas Baptists in order to find the right people."

"Most of all," Wade said, "we looked for people who believe God has given them a calling to do what they do. They each have a desire for the BGCT to be the most effective force for God and good it can possibly be as it serves the local churches and collaborates with our institutions and associations.

"Ultimately, all that the BGCT does should point toward salvation of the lost and growth of the churches unto the glory of God," the executive director said. "Each of these team members shares that desire."
The Revisioning Teams will address questions like these:

-- How can the BGCT be used of God to encourage in churches the most effective advances in evangelism, missions, Christian education and benevolent ministries?
-- How can we provide a vision of Christ and Baptist identity that stirs up a zeal for what God wants to do with us as we work together?
-- If the BGCT could be whatever God needs us to be, what kind of difference could we make in churches, in Texas and in the world unto the glory of God?
-- How can we help Texas Baptists work together in the most spiritually powerful and effective manner possible?

For the Laity Team, Wade said he sought lay leaders with "extensive experience in business," people who have "demonstrated skills in organizing business structures for the most efficient and effective use of resources in achieving goals."

The work of churches and convention is more than a business, he said, but "things good business minds have learned can be beneficial to us in the work of our convention. Where there are better ways to do what we do, we want to know about it."

The two teams of ministerial leaders will bring a pastoral perspective. "One group is a bit older, and the other a bit younger," Wade said. "We wanted to gain input from pastors who have spent a lifetime learning and leading in local churches, and we also wanted input from younger ministers who have a deep sense of calling to the future God holds out before us."

Executive Board staff members comprise the fourth group. "These men and women know our Baptist work from the inside out," Wade said. "I have found they have some of the most creative ideas regarding the opportunities before our churches and convention. We want to have the benefit of their best thinking."
Wade also will seek input from association directors of missions, presidents of BGCT-affiliated institutions and seminary students.

"I pray daily God will use us to help Texas Baptist churches be all that God wants them to be and to empower us in advancing all the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom," Wade said. "My deepest desire is that we help one another so that our churches know themselves to be the presence of Christ in the world."
Revisioning and reorganization are a never-ending process, Liebrum said. "We will continue to monitor and evaluate."

April 2004