JACKSON — Messengers from churches throughout the state will gather at West Jackson Baptist Church here Nov. 10-11 for the 135th annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
The theme for the meeting will be “Pray Without Ceasing.”
During the meeting, messengers will act on various items of business, including the election of new officers and the adoption of a budget for 2009-10.
In addition, messengers will honor James Porch, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, since 1993. He announced his retirement last year, effective in August of 2010. This will be his last convention as executive director.
Chuck Groover, pastor of Victory Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, and president of the TBC Executive Board, noted the sessions in Jackson “will be a memorable meeting as we will have an opportunity to express our appreciation to Dr. James Porch for his years of service to the Tennessee Baptist Convention as executive director/treasurer.”
Porch will be recognized with his family in the Tuesday evening session. At the close of this session featuring a message from convention president, Danny Sinquefield, messengers are invited to attend a reception in honor of Porch in the Fellowship Hall at West Jackson Baptist Church, Groover said. “Dr. Porch has been faithful in following his understanding of God’s leadership for his life and the Tennessee Baptist Convention during his tenure of service.
“The activities planned for Tuesday evening in recognition of Dr. Porch’s years of service will offer the people of God known as Tennessee Baptists a time to say thank you.
“I look forward to you joining me as we wish Dr. Porch God’s best as he continues his journey with our Lord,” Groover said.
Budget
Messengers will consider a Cooperative Program budget of $36,000,000 for 2009-10, a decrease of $3 million or 7.7 percent less than the current budget. See proposed budget on the bottom of this page.
Sixty percent of the budget goes for TBC ministries while 40 percent will be forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention for national ministry and missions causes.
At the September meeting of the TBC Executive Board, board members were informed that TBC staff was projecting about $35.5 million in Cooperative Program receipts. The current CP budget year ends Oct. 31.
Messages
Messages during the annual meeting will be delivered by Sinquefield, Porch and Don McCulley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Dresden, who will deliver the convention sermon.
Porch will deliver his annual executive director’s report during the Tuesday afternoon session. Sinquefield, pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Bartlett, will deliver his president’s address during the Tuesday evening session, prior to the reception for Porch.
McCulley will deliver the convention sermon during the Wednesday morning session.
Business items
For the first time in several years, there are no bylaws or constitution changes on the floor for discussion.
Messengers also will have the opportunity to present motions and resolutions during the miscellaneous business sessions. They will also consider a slate of candidates from the Committee on Committees and Committee on Boards for positions on TBC boards and committees.
Messengers will elect a new slate of officers. At press time Monday, the Baptist and Reflector know of only one announced candidate for the presidency — Randy Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church, Sevierville.
Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown, announced in late August that he would nominate Davis for the presidency.
Haun noted Davis “has an incredible passion for missions both at home and abroad. He is a leader for such a time as this in Tennessee.”
Resolutions
Resolutions, including those sent to the Committee on Resolutions prior to the Convention, must be submitted during a business session only by registered messengers.
Resolutions must be submitted no later than the last miscellaneous business session of the first day of the Convention.
Only titles of proposed resolutions shall be read into the record when presented, but the full resolution must be in writing and submitted to the presiding officer, recording secretary and the Committee on Resolutions.
Individuals wishing to submit resolutions are encouraged to submit them prior to the TBC meeting by sending them to Committee on Resolutions, TBC Executive Board Ministries, P. O. Box 728, Brentwood, TN 37024.
Other items
Online registration — Online registration for the annual meeting began Oct. 5 and will continue through Nov. 5. Messengers can pre-register online at www.tnbaptist.org.
Registration at West Jackson Baptist Church — Pre-Registration and Registration will be held in Rooms A-141 & 142 off main hallway of the Sanctuary. Hours for registration are: Monday, Noon – 8 p.m., Tuesday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Childcare — Childcare will be available from Monday afternoon, Nov. 9, through Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11 for children, ages birth-5 years old. Volunteers will register children at the reception desk in E Wing, first floor, and direct them to the appropriate room. Childcare will be provided during and 30 minutes before and after each session.
Convention Office — The phone number for the convention office is (731) 512-3491. Emergency calls can be directed to this number. See pages 8-9 for a complete schedule of activities and the annual meeting.
