April 28 was a day to get down to business for members of the Alabama Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF).
Not only were participants in the Birmingham are to attend the spring business meeting, but several seminars as well.
“Creating Healthy Communities: Examining Congregational Health Ministry” was the theme for the meeting at Riverchase Baptist Church, Hoover.
At the business meeting, Alabama CBF treasurer Jane Brunson, Elba, said that so far in 2001, the group’s income is up 24.6 percent over 2000’s totals, with $34,606 in the first quarter.
Expenses are running about as expected, Brunson said.
Also during the business meeting, Libby Potts, the outgoing moderator, passed the torch to her successor, Nick Foster, pastor of University Baptist, Montevallo.
Potts, a member of First Baptist Church, Auburn, was presented a plaque for her service. “I believe very much in CBF and what we are doing,” Potts said. “I’m glad to have a place … where women can serve.” Potts remains a member of the administrative and coordinating councils with CBF.
Foster said he plans to visit around the state to find out what people want from CBF.
Faith-based initiatives
John Gemmill, a community builder with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Birmingham, spoke to the group about faith-based initiatives.
The policy is probably one of the most controversial of George W. Bush’s presidency so far, he said. HUD, like most governmental bodies, doesn’t do much but write checks, “and follow up to see if (the funds) are used properly,” he noted.
Comparing HUD to a body without arms and legs, Gemmill said the government needs faith-based programming in order to connect with the people.
“That’s not something we can do with a check,” Gemmill said. “You have to be creative. It’s hard to be creative with government funds, but it can be done.”
Working with faith-based programs adds the holistic, individual contact as well as a different atmosphere from fully private or government-run programs.”
“CBF is plowing new ground,” Gemmill said.
Phillip Wise, pastor of First Baptist, Dothan, was elected to the national coordinating council, joining Carol Ann Vaughn and Brent McDougal, both of Riverchase Baptist Church, whose terms expire in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Participants also approved Barbara Vandergriff of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church (Birmingham Assoc.) as convocations chair.
(TAB)
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