Baptist Union Council: October 2022 

 

Challenges facing our Union were highlighted at the October 2022 Baptist Union Council, which took place at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire 12-13 October. 
 
Council discerns the broad strategic direction of our Union, and members were asked to reflect on matters relating to finance, a higher than usual number of church closures and a presentation from the Young Adults Round Table identifying a decrease in the numbers of 20/30s in our churches.

Members agreed a series of proposals regarding the process of consultation to enable Council to respond to a request to change the rules for our accredited ministers. Amid these agenda items, the time was characterised by acts of worship, prayer and waiting on the Lord. A live prayer broadcast took place on Wednesday evening.
 
Worship was led by Ken Benjamin, a former Baptist Union President who is now Director of Church Relationships with the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), alongside ministers Mark Hirst (SEBA), Adrian Semerene (EBA), and Young Leaders’ Development Co-ordinator Isabella Senior. Communion was shared both at the beginning and end of the gathering. 
 
‘I want us to remember we are one in Christ,’ said General Secretary Lynn Green at the outset, referencing John 15, a passage she preached on recently at an induction. Jesus gives two commands which are not always easy to obey: Remain in him; and love one another as he has loved us.

 
 
Scroll down for the following reports:

• Marriage and accredited ministry  
• Young Adults Round Table presentation
• New churches and church closures
• Finance update 
• Pensions update 
• Baptists Together Key Roles Nominations Team 
• Project Violet presentation
• Live prayer broadcast 
• A Life of Grace - new evangelistic resource focusing on the late Queen's faith

 

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Marriage and accredited ministry  
 
A series of proposals regarding the process of consultation to enable Council to respond to a request to change the rules for our accredited ministers was agreed by Council members. The proposals can be found below. 
 
For more on the background to this request, see this piece published ahead of Council.   
 
Discussions took place over two sessions at Council. In introducing them on Wednesday, Lynn again acknowledged how this is a 'very painful and difficult issue.' 
 
'We are sharing together in deep convictions. These things matter. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet we come to different views.'
 
It feels like the people of God in the Exodus as they stood on the shore at the Red Sea (Exodus 14), she continued, with seemingly 'no way forward or back'. However, Lynn shared three points ahead of the first session.
 
Firstly, she wanted Council members to take courage 'in the truth God is with us'. 
 
The need to trust in God's call was her second point. 'God has called us to handle this together,' she said. 'God has entrusted this to us. I believe God believes we can do it.' 
 
Thirdly, she encouraged Council to have 'faith and trust the Lord will open up a way'. 'Maybe we can’t see it, but there is a way,' Lynn said. 'I believe we can do this in a way that reflects the love, grace and truth of the Lord. We’ve got to keep calm, keep waiting on God.'    
 
Ahead of the discussions around the consultation process, Council members were asked to do two things. Firstly, to break into small groups, share three words capturing how this conversation around sexuality and marriage has impacted them, and pray together.  
 
They were then invited to identify some common ground, things they agreed on ‘as disciples and Baptists’. ‘It struck me in preparing for this we get caught up in our differences,’ Lynn said. ‘But we don’t want to lose sight of all we agree on. There’s so much common ground.' Council members shared their thoughts through the Mentimeter app (see below).



Lynn reminded Council where we have been, and how the aim of this Council was to create a formal consultation process so that all voices can be heard. 
 
To help, the Core Leadership Team (CLT) had come up with a broad set of proposals highlighting key aspects of the consultation process.   
 
Council members were invited to discuss each proposal in small groups around tables. Each group's feedback was subsequently shared in plenary sessions which were led by moderator Seidel Abel Boanerges.

This process began on Wednesday afternoon and continued on Thursday morning. In response to the feedback, detailed discussion took place which resulted in slight modification of the proposals.  


 
Members subsequently voted in Thursday’s final session, and the following proposals were overwhelmingly carried: 
 

• Council have been asked to change the Ministerial Recognition Rules to make it possible for ministers to be in a legal Same Sex Marriage and be accredited. Council invites churches and ministers to share their responses to this requested change through this consultation.  
• All members and associate members of Assembly (including churches, associations, colleges and ministers – MiTs, NAMs, FAMs, retired*) are encouraged to participate.  
• CLT (Core Leadership Team) be delegated by Council to oversee and agree a consultation and background material, with input from appropriate professional expertise and advice offered by Council in October 2022.  
• This will be administered through the Specialist Teams in collaboration with our regional associations. Consistency is key.  
• Council asks the BUGB trustees to fulfil their role in monitoring the process.  
• We aim for the consultation period to be open from January to July 2023 including Assembly. In October 2023 Council will aim to respond to the question asked, in light of the feedback from the consultation.  

Lynn thanked Council members in arriving at this consensus, adding that we are 'trying to find our way between the tension of getting to a decision, and having a good consultation.' 
 
 
(* Retired Accredited Ministers whose last church was in membership with the Union - see our constitution for more) 
 

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Young Adults Round Table presentation
 
What would it look like for the Baptist Church to be seen as a credible provider in meeting the needs of the spiritually hungry 9 million young adults in the UK?
 
That was the challenge from the Young Adults Round Table (YART), which gave an update on Wednesday afternoon on the challenges and opportunities. 
 
Andrew Ginn, a minister in Stevenage and core member of YART, spoke first to ‘define our reality.’ 
 
He explained we are losing young adults from Baptist churches three times faster than older members. Participation from 2015 until the pandemic (2019) had dropped by 2000; since 2021 another 2000 had left, meaning we now have 6662 young adults in our churches. 
 
If we take these trends, we will have around 100 young adults by 2030. Even if the decline stopped and we maintained our current position – in 40 years’ time, all our activity and attendance would be reduced by 86 per cent.
 
In wider society, Millennials and GenZ represent 16 per cent of the total population and 59 per cent of the workforce. (‘They are not the emerging generation – they are already here!’). However, just four per cent of 18-30s (360,000) attend a church, of which the Baptist figure – the afore-mentioned 6662 – accounts for just two per cent. 
 
‘These are scary numbers,’ said Andrew. 
 
‘But the hope is to identify something of our reality – so we can engage with the urgency of the situation. If we fail to engage with Millennials and GenZ, we are opting out of a future of the Baptist Union. That would be a crying shame! We are a valuable part of the Body of Christ! This is about the mission of God in our generation. 
 
‘If we change nothing, then nothing changes. So a change of course is necessary.’
 
He said YART’s hope is that Baptist churches can be places where young adults thrive. He stressed that young adults are spiritually hungry, but for many their current experience of Baptist churches is isolating. Unless churches are deliberate and intentional in the way they engage with young adults, ‘they can feel ignored, or meet with conflict or competition which leads them to crave alternative models, something more holistic and whole life’. 
 
However, where there is collaboration between the church and young adults, ‘we find so many wonderful things are happening’, Andrew said.
 
An accompanying report to Council members explained what it means to collaborate in more detail: 
 
In a permission giving culture with reciprocal spiritual maturity, Young Adults and Traditional/ inherited Church leaders contextualise the Gospel together, birthing connected Pioneering projects/church expression, and new intergenerational patterns of church. The meeting/ projects/outcomes are not born of a perfect strategy, 'just willing hearts to try!' Both can flourish, growing together. It’s typically characterised by a heart for social justice.
 
 
Therefore, Andrew said, a big part of the change needed is to involve young adults in the decision making process around how the church works.
 
YART wants to amplify what is working well, and Isabella Senior, Baptists Together Young Leaders’ Development Coordinator shared some ‘green shoots’ in the second part of the session. 
 
About 50 interns are starting from September onwards in Baptist churches, Associations and other Baptist related providers. ‘That’s 50 young adults saying yes to Jesus’s calling.’ A further 30 Baptist churches have been in touch to express an interest in hosting an intern.
 
The Internship Best Practice Handbook was introduced in September, continued Isabella, and resulted in her receiving ‘so many emails from churches saying “this is exactly what we needed”.’ 
 
There are also leadership training opportunities available for those young adults not in an internship programme. Two great examples of this are Equip (SCBA/CBA/Regent’s Park College), and Formation (London Baptists) which are both run online for young leaders in these associations and beyond.
 
Isabella also highlighted the recently created Instagram account @baptistyoungleaders, where she shares internship and training opportunities for young adults in Baptist settings.
 
‘I’ve connected with young adults who are committed to Jesus and the local church and others who are doing amazing work with young adults,’ Isabella said. ‘There are good things happening. God is still at work.’
 
Andrew said the models of church that engage well with young adults now ‘will be the dominant models of church in 20 years,’ adding, ‘This isn’t about safeguarding the Baptist Union – it’s about the mission of God.’
 
He left Council members with the following challenges:
 

• What will you do personally and in your leadership role within Baptists Together to help reach and disciple these missing generations?
• At every gathering you attend, could you wonder where the Young Adult is? Could you bring a Young Adult there? Could you swap your seat for a Young Adult? 

 
 
The Young Adults Round Table has its own section on the Baptists Together website with stories, research, and opportunities. 
 
At its November 2018 gathering, Baptist Union Council identified a focus on this generation as a key priority for our Union.

A link to the @baptistyoungleaders Instragam feed is here: 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Isabella Senior (@baptistyoungleaders)

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New churches and church closures 
 
Churches which have recently joined our Union and those which have closed are highlighted at Baptist Union Council. On this occasion the list of closures was 21. This high figure led moderator Seidel Abel Boanerges to challenge Council members to reflect and pray about why this is happening.  
  
‘When I went through this list I felt very sad,’ Seidel said. ‘This should be ringing alarm bells. My challenge comes from a pastoral and evangelistic heart.  
  
‘There are very urgent issues we should be devoting our time and effort to. 
  
‘I understand that there are good reasons why some churches have shut down, but as a Council we must carefully reflect on these church closures.’
 
The closures announced were:  

1. Caersws Baptist Church (Radnorshire & Montgomeryshire) 
2. IHope (LB) 
3. Harpole Baptist Church (CBA) 
4. Malton Baptist Church (YBA) 
5. Stoke Gabriel Baptist Church (SWBA) 
6. Drayton Parslow Baptist Church (CBA) 
7. Longley and Lowerhouses Baptist Church (YBA) 
8. Brafield Baptist Church (CBA) 
9. Horton Heath Baptist Church (SCBA) 
10. Crewkerne and Misterton (SWBA) 
11. Mount Zion Baptist Church, Panty-y-gog (SWaBA) 
12. Leavesden Road Baptist Church (CBA) 
13. Dukinfield Baptist Church (NWBA) 
14. Canford Heath Baptist Church (SCBA) 
15. Church 1v23 (EBA) 
16. Woodborough (EMBA) 
17. Coverdale Christian Centre (NWBA) 
18. Splott Baptist Church (SWaBA) (closed 2017 but not reported at time) 
19. Grace Fellowship (EBA) 
20. Peckham Rye (LB) 
21. E1 Community Church (LB) 

Seidel prayed, ‘Guide us; give us wisdom for how we can address this problem. Help us be a missional movement where sharing Christ is central.’ 

In future Councils, we will be reflecting on this issue.
 
A new number of churches were welcomed into membership of our Baptist Union. They are: 

1. Ebbsfleet (SEBA) 
2. Transform.Church (EBA) 
3. Westvale Community Church (SEBA) 

 
Two churches ceased membership of BUGB: 

1. Kent St Independent Methodist Church (NWBA) (Church continuing as a member of the IM Connexion only) 
2. New Creation Royal (LB)

 Council members were also informed that one church has changed its name.  

1. Hope Springs Church (Unassoc Eng) to The Baptist Christian Centre 

 And there has been one amalgamation since Council last met: 

1. Haslingden and Helmshore (NWBA) 

 
Seidel prayed for all the churches highlighted. 
 

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Finance update 
 
Richard Wilson, Support Services Team Leader, provided an update on our finances. The Home Mission Appeal is slightly behind budget (£36k behind), but more than offset by other income being ahead of budget (£64k ahead). The major issue is that legacies are well short of budget at just £17k compared to a budget of £226k. This trajectory is ‘a significant concern for the full year, but something we have limited control over’, said Richard.  
 
The consequence of this will be reduced funding available for the work of Associations and Specialist Teams. Association grants for 2022 have not yet been amended, but on the current projections will need to be adjusted down later in the year, his report stated. 
 
A 2023 budget was shared with Council members, created with input from the Treasurers.  
Richard said it will be difficult to achieve a balanced budget without significant changes to what we do. Though reserves are currently strong, the situation ‘is not sustainable’. 
  
He told Council members: ‘It cannot go on like this. Are we up for hearing and acting on difficult challenges? We are in danger of losing our ability to do what we’re here for, of freeing money for mission.’ 
  
Richard encouraged Council members to be praying for the financial review, being carried out by consultants Tricordant who are addressing a recommendation approved at the previous Council to:  
 
‘Undertake an externally facilitated process to identify and agree across Baptists Together how the various elements of Associations, Specialist Teams, BUC, and Colleges can work in close collaboration as system partners for individual and collective benefit.  
 
‘This to include clarifying roles, accountabilities and core functions of Associations, Specialist Teams and Colleges all documented in a Memorandum of Understanding.’ 
 
Tricordant will present its work at the next Council, in March. 
 
 
Pensions update 

Richard told Council we have closed a deal with the financial services group Just Retirement to underwrite The Baptist Pension Scheme. The buy-out process will complete some time in 2024. Communication went out to all employers and scheme members at the end of July. It means churches have more funds available, having been freed from the monthly deficit contributions. Richard said to reach this stage had been ‘an enormous team effort.’ 
 
Following this update acting moderator of trustees Andrew Cowley suggested a pause to give thanks to God. He reminded Council it had discussed the Family Solution only four years previously, adding, ‘I’m delighted we’ve been able to do something that’s secured pensions of my colleagues. 
  
‘And I want to publicly thank every church and Association who have been involved and made sacrifices; as well as the Pension Trustee, John (Levick) and Richard who have done a huge amount of work to reach this conclusion.’ 
 
 

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Baptists Together Key Roles Nominations Team 
 
The discernment process for finding the next moderator of the BUGB Trustee Board continues, reported Rupert Lazar, who leads the Baptists Together Key Roles Nominations Team. 
 
We have not yet found someone, and Rupert reiterated a point he made at the last Council: a major factor is the expectations and consequently the time commitment of the role is 'too heavy'. Back in March members voted to agree a £10,000 annual honorarium payment. 
 
‘It’s a very complex situation as we try and find this person,’ said Rupert. ‘We’ve rehearsed with you in the past about the extent of the role and the time commitment. Those who have come forward have realised that it demands more than they can give. The honorarium brought more interest, but has led to the same issues.’ 
  
In view of the continuing difficulties, Rupert took a moment to pause and seek the Spirit’s guidance. He invited Council members to be still and silent, and see if the Spirit highlighted someone. ‘If you are prompted by the Spirit,’ Rupert said, ‘do talk with me.’ 
 
There are ongoing conversations with two people regarding the role. If one of the conversations proves to be successful, Rupert said that voting will need to take place by email as there is too long a gap until the next Council (March 2023). He asked Council's permission for this, noting it had granted permission in similar circumstances in 2018, which members subsequently granted.   
 
In the meantime, Rupert reported Andrew Cowley is willing to continue serving as Acting Moderator, carrying out the essential responsibilities until December 2022.  
 
Council members also agreed to the Team’s recommendation that Andrew serves as a trustee for a third term of three years.  
 
We are still seeking a successor to John Levick as BUGB Treasurer, Rupert continued. John completes his extended term of service in May 2023. 
 
In fact, there has not been any interest at all since last Council, he said. The trustees are also looking into the expectations and time commitment of this role. 
 
‘All that I’ve said about the Moderator of the Trustee Board can be repeated about the Treasurer,’ said Rupert. 
 
Rupert also informed Council that we are currently looking for someone to succeed the Revd Sian Murray-Williams as Moderator of Ministerial Recognition Committee. 
 

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Presentation from Project Violet

Have you noticed that women come forward for ministry at a later age than men? If so, why do you think that is?
 
These were among the questions Council members were invited to discuss and reflect on during a presentation on Project Violet on Thursday morning. Project Violet aims to investigate women’s experiences in Baptist ministry, and its co-leads Jane Day and Helen Cameron led the session, explaining more about what the Project is, and how it is progressing.
 
Jane said she had been appointed Centenary Enabler in 2019 in light of the significant challenges that still exist for women in Baptist ministry. The statistics show a disparity between men women: in 2021 they entered ministry in broadly equal numbers (65 men, 57 women) yet in total only around 20 per cent of accredited Baptist ministers are female (216 women, 995 men). 
 
She had had many conversations since her appointment. ‘I feel like I could listen to women for the next 100 years and nothing would change,’ said Jane. ‘We agreed that perhaps some research would be helpful to better understand women’s experiences.’
 
Helen, a Research Fellow at Regent’s Park College, Oxford came on board and Project Violet launched in July 2021.
 
Phase one involved stakeholder involvement, and a series of more than 40 meetings with those who shape women's experience of ministry to explain the project and invite them to support it. 
 
Women were invited to write a reflection on the joys and sorrows of ministry for phase two. Forty-nine stories were told; they will be held at the Angus Library and Archive and are embargoed for 30 years. 
 
For phase three co-researchers have been invited to contribute to a theological reflection process. This is an extensive process, taking place this year and next.
 
A theological reflection group and the co-researchers will jointly discern, and a conference for all participants will take place in Easter 2024. The findings of the research will be taken back to the stakeholders for them to discern how their practice might develop, and to seek the mind of Christ. The planned actions will be drawn together and a report produced. ‘This is the genius of Project Violet,’ said Jane. ‘The report written at the end will be the planned action: we will have all these groups saying we will commit to these actions.’
 
Alongside this introduction, Jane and Helen invited Council members to participate in a reflective conversation based on findings that have cropped up in the research. 
 

• In the stories gathered in phase two, there’s evidence of women who have expressed a call when younger, and been told to get married, have a family and then come back. 
• In phase three the project is hearing that women are likely to describe their call as a process, and that women need repeated encouragement – they need to be invited to put themselves forward.

 
Council members were invited to discuss the following questions: 
 

• What do we make of this?
• Have you noticed that women come forward for ministry at a later age than men?
• If so, why do you think that is?

 
They were also invited to think more theologically, and were asked: If you were going to preach a sermon on calling, what text would you choose?
 
Jane and Helen stressed this is a rolling process, and encouraged Council not to hold back in implementing changes that will help the experience of women in Baptist ministry. They cited the example of one Association, which is trying out a women-only discernment day.
 
Jane and Helen finished by highlighting two upcoming online seminars:

• 27 Oct, 7.30pm – the Revd Dr Chris Voke presents his research on Edith Gates, the first woman to be recognised as in pastoral charge of an English Baptist church. To register contact fota@regents.ox.ac.uk
• 17 November, 7-8pm - State of women in Baptist Life - Insights from America - Meredith Stone and Laura Ellis from Baptist Women in Ministry will present their research. Visit Eventbrite for more and to register. 

They also invited Council members to share with them any positive changes or actions they are implementing. They asked for prayer and encouraged wider missional reading, highlighting three books in particular:

• Invisible Women by Caroline Perez ('a significant impact in the secular world'). Read a review here.
• Unspoken by Guvna B – ('he’s trying to help young men understand how they fit into this; it gives you an insight into the way this is discussed in schools') 
• The Story of Women in Ministry in the Baptist Union of Great Britain by Simon Woodman – now available as a free pdf

 
Beth Powney, regional minister team leader of the Eastern Baptist Association, and one of the initial group of co-researchers, was invited to pray for Project Violet. 

 

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Live prayer broadcast

A live prayer broadcast took place on Wednesday evening, led by Ken Benjamin and Lynn Green. Ken used themes highlighted in the late Queen Elizabeth's letter to the Lambeth Conference in August - a month before her death - as prompts to the prayer time.

'I recognise in our tradition there'll be a whole range of different views about the monarchy,' he said. 'That's not really my point this evening.

'My point is the Queen was probably the best known female person of Christian faith in any of our lifetimes. This is a letter that she wrote in just 350 words, and gives a whole range of themes which I think we can pick up very quickly for our prayers.' 

Access the letter here, and a recording of the broadcast below. 
 

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A Life of Grace - new evangelistic resource

As part of his role with LICC, Ken had brought copies of A Life of Grace, a new evangelistic resource.

A Life of Grace brings fresh insight into the central and transformative role of Jesus Christ in the life and reign of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 

As such, the book 'opens up conversations about faith', said Ken, relaying a message from LICC chief executive Paul Woolley to Council.

'The book seeks to draw attention beyond Queen Elizabeth to the King she served. And we’d love you to encourage churches to use this new resource to help people who are curious about the Christian faith. 

'For example, it’s an ideal gift for those joining Christmas services, as a gift to those in care homes, as well as to all the people that we engage with in our everyday lives.'  

The book was produced by LICC, HOPE Together, and Bible Society. It was written by Mark Greene, designed by Claire Simmons-Clark, and edited by Catherine Butcher.

Single copies of the book cost £7.00 but bulk purchases can be made from just £1.50 per copy. You can purchase copies by going to licc.org.uk/ourresources/the-queens-faith 

'Why not encourage churches to buy two copies for every member of their congregation – one to keep and one to give away, praying that it prompts a faith conversation?'