Jackson Free Press, 2727 Old Canton Rd, Ste 224, Jackson, MS 39216, US

In order to find your way, it is helpful to understand how the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board is set up to do their work. The responsibilities of the Convention Board fall into three natural divisions. One division is Business Services, the funds that are received and distributed to Kingdom causes are handled following Biblical guidelines of Christian stewardship and absolute fiscal responsibility. The second division, Church Growth, oversees those areas of church ministries that strengthen, equip, and enable the church and its functions. The third division, Mission Strategy, is entrusted with the responsibility of the work beyond just the walls and doors of the church. Our mission is to reach the world across Mississippi, the nation, and the uttermost parts of the earth. So how did we deal with this downturn in giving and overall economic distress? Before the year began and we realized the shape of things to come, I asked all of our Mississippi Baptist Convention Board workers to help in cutting back. It was a cutback not on programs but on expenditures. We were committed to respond to every need, every church, and every association throughout the year but it was going to require all of us giving more time and covering more ground than ever. Our directors, consultants, and support staff have time after time stepped up to the plate to say, What can I do? Nothing goes undone and we have learned to do more with less in part, because of their exemplary dedication to the Lord and to Mississippi Baptists. While we took steps to cutback in the program areas of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board by 10 percent, of course, there were many areas where we could do nothing or little. In addition to that step, across the year we had a number of people who either retired from their service at the Convention Board or left to go serve in a different capacity in a different place. We did not have a hiring freeze, but I told our staff we were on a hiring hold. We did not replace any of the people who left. Rather we took their responsibilities and gathered some of the people who were capable and willing to fill that place during this time. It was remarkable how so many times when someone left very capable and willing people picked up a part, added to their responsibilities, and said, Let's go! In reality, we missed everyone who left, but we also were blessed to have people who would give more of their time, energy, and God-giftedness to do what needed to be done. That too enabled us to do what needed to be accomplished without any shortfall of ineffectiveness. The great people at our Convention Board have been at their best in the worst of times. As we face the future, it seems to be shaky and uncertain. Politically and socially, the promises that were made that change was coming have certainly been implemented. Maybe not as everyone envisioned and sadly maybe as some did envision but change is all around us. When it comes to the economy and the people of God having the resources and capability to respond and give, we trust that change will come and our churches will be stronger even financially. Even then there is the question of how strong will we respond in our on-going support of the mission that Jesus has given us. While we are in change, the fact is we are also in Christ in charge as individuals, churches, associations, and as a state convention. We will determine what we will do to make a difference for Christ in the days ahead. In Christ and by His grace we will be strong, we will recover, we will thrive, and we will reach out to a world that needs to hear of His saving power. MBCB Divisions Business Services Division The Business Services Division is responsible for the areas of accounting, audits, communications, encampments, finance, insurance, annuity, legal issues, policy matters, and the management of all real and personal property. All work in this division is of a service nature as it undergirds the programs

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