Baptist Steering Group and Trustees

Overseeing the governance of our Union

Baptists Together (otherwise known as the Baptist Union of Great Britain) is made up of more than 2000 churches, 13 associations and 6 colleges that relate together as a mission movement. Baptists in England have been around for over 400 years and our Union (BUGB) can trace its roots back some 200 years.

We have some foundational principles that shape our life together which are:

Recognising that Jesus is the Lord of all and that the Bible reveals Jesus to us as we strive to understand it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Each local church is called to seek God’s will for its life and witness.
That baptism by immersion is for all who make a decision to follow Jesus
That each disciple is called to be a witness and make Jesus known in their daily living

Our Union is committed to growing healthy churches in relationship for God’s mission. In order to do this we believe that we must intentionally develop a culture where we:

Seek to be a movement of Spirit led communities. As those who have encountered the living Christ, to intentionally seek his will and purpose for our local churches and every expression of our shared life. (Galatians 5:22-25)
Feel like one team – celebrating diversity; valuing, respecting and trusting each other as we work together in partnerships - making sure everyone feels included and listened to. (I Corinthians 12:24b-27)
Embrace adventure – being serious about discipleship, willing to take risks, pioneer and move out of the comfort zone of familiar ways of doing things. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Inspire others – with a generosity of spirit, energise and motivate people to be all that God created them to be. (Ephesians 5:1 & 2)
Share a Hunger for God’s coming Kingdom – nurturing a ‘holy discontent’ that arises from our desire to give practical expression to our vision of God’s purpose for creation - confronting evil, injustice and hypocrisy and challenging worldly attitudes to power, wealth, status and security both within and beyond our Union. (Matthew 6:9 & 10)

The life of Baptists Together is supported by good accountability structures. There are two main groups that serve Council by overseeing the governance and strategic leadership of Baptists Together.

Trustees
Our Trustee Board is made up of 12 people appointed by Baptist Union Council. Meeting four times a year, the trustees ensure appropriate policies are in place and operated effectively, to oversee our Union’s structure and to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Though their robust governance we are able to give 96% of money raised through the annual appeal to our charitable purposes of making Jesus known.

The Baptist Steering Group
is a leadership team responsible for implementing the strategy of our Union as discerned by Council. It meets eight times a year and is made up of leaders from local churches, association partnerships and the national team. It is led by Lynn Green, our Union’s General Secretary, and its meetings are founded in prayer and scripture.

This is all supported by Home Mission – the Baptist family purse – that enables us to do more together than we can accomplish on our own. By releasing the resources of Home Mission into our shared life, many people find faith in Jesus for the first time.

Please pray:

Give thanks for those called by God to serve our Union in these governance roles
Pray for our Trustees - Malcolm Broad, Barbara Carpenter, Graham Ensor, Marion Fiddes, Stephen Finamore, Lynn Green, Rupert Hill, Linda Hopkins, Joe Kapolyo, John Levick, Clare McBeath and Jenny Royal
Pray for the members of our Baptist Steering Group - Geoff Andrews, John Claydon, Stuart Davison, David Ellis, Rob Ellis, Marion Fiddes, Stephen Keyworth, Richard Lewis, David Locke, Richard Nicholls, Grenville Overton and Dianne Tidball
Pray for the Baptist Steering Group meeting on 5 and 6 March

Click here for a printable Fact File about the work of the Baptist Steering Group and Trustees to share with your church.

Click here to read more stories about how the money you give to Home Mission is being used to bring the love of God to communities around the country.