Alabamians to lead at SBC annual meeting

Alabama Baptists will be among those serving during the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, June 14–15.

Appointments to SBC’s Committee on Committees have been announced by SBC President Ronnie Floyd, pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas.

The Committee on Committees has 68 members, two from each of the 34 states and regions qualified for representation on boards of SBC entities.

The Committee on Committees will assemble in St. Louis just prior to the SBC’s sessions to nominate members of the Committee on Nominations who, in turn, nominate trustees for the boards of SBC entities.

Floyd named Willy Rice, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Florida, to serve as chairman of this year’s Committee on Committees. 

• Ed Litton, pastor of Redemption Church, Saraland, will serve as vice chairman.
• Also serving on the committee is Jeff Gardner, First Baptist Church, Trussville.

Floyd announced the appointments March 14 in accordance with SBC Bylaw 19, which calls for providing notice to Southern Baptists of the appointees no later than 45 days in advance of each year’s annual meeting.

Being nominated

Alabama Baptists also are among those being nominated to serve on the SBC Executive Committee, the four denominational boards — International Mission Board (IMB), North American Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources and GuideStone Financial Resources — the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the six seminaries and the Committee on Order of Business.

Nominees will serve if elected by the messengers to the annual meeting.

Those nominated from Alabama are:

• James W. “Jim” Averett, Birmingham, nominated with term to expire 2018 on the Executive Committee.
• Kenneth J. Burnham, Oxford; and Richard L. Richie, Somerville; nominated for second terms as IMB trustees.
• Clayton K. Speed, pastor, First Baptist Church, Hartselle, replacing Charles C. “Craig” Carlisle, Rainbow City, nominated with term to expire in 2020 for LifeWay Christian Resources.
• Edwin J. Hayes, Cullman, nominated for a second term as a Southern Baptist Theological Seminary trustee.

(BP)