Baptist New Service - Baptist Missionary Association of America

With a profound conviction of the Bible doctrines of church and ministerial equality, and with unbounded faith in God for leadership, protection, and blessing, and with unquestioning acceptance of the Word of God as our all-sufficient rule of faith and practice, and with a strong desire for fellowship and cooperation with all Baptists who believe in the associational way of cooperation, we offer the following Statement of Principles of Cooperation.

The name of this cooperative work is the Baptist Missionary Association of America.

The purpose of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, a distinct fellowship of Baptist churches, is to provide cooperating departments and agencies that will inspire a mission vision and assist each local church in carrying out the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20.

Section 1. This association is composed of regular missionary Baptist churches which are in sympathy with its efforts in
providing this medium of cooperation. By regular missionary Baptist churches is meant those churches which hold tenaciously to the doctrines of the New Testament, believe in the principles of cooperation, fellowship, or association as taught in the New Testament, and as defined in the Doctrinal Statement.
Section 2. Any church which knowingly and habitually practices or upholds heresies or other human innovations which are not in harmony with the Word of God, such as open communion, alien baptism, pulpit affiliation with heretical churches, ecstatic speaking in tongues and other kindred evils arising from these unscriptural practices departs from the distinctive doctrines of this association and makes herself liable to exclusion from this association.
Section 3. The desire and willingness of any regular missionary Baptist church, as defined above, to cooperate will be expressed to the messenger body of this association in writing. The petitioning church will state that she has, in conference, duly adopted this Statement of Principles of Cooperation and the Doctrinal Statement of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, and is ready to work in harmony and in fellowship with all other churches of this association contingent upon a vote of the messengers.
Section 4. This association reserves the right to withdraw associational fellowship from any church which may be found to be out of harmony with this Statement of Principles of Cooperation and/or Doctrinal Statement. In the event a church within the membership of this body is challenged concerning her adherence to this Statement of Principles of Cooperation and/or Doctrinal Statement, a committee of three (3) shall be elected to investigate the charges and bring a report of their findings at a subsequent session. Messengers of the challenged church shall remain seated until and if the challenge is proven and fellowship withdrawn.
Section 5. Each church in this association is entitled to three (3) messengers chosen from her own membership. The qualifications of messengers are determined by the church electing them.
Section 6. In the event a church seeks membership in this body and a challenge is made concerning her being seated, the moderator shall appoint a committee of three (3) from the state in which the church challenged is located to investigate the charges against her. In the event there are no churches affiliated with this association in the state in which the church is located, the
committee may be appointed by the chair without regard to the states in which the members of the committee reside.
Section 7. Any church already seated challenging the seating of a church in this body must do so in writing, stating the grounds upon which the challenge is made, and the challenge must be signed by the challengers before an investigation is made or the seating of the church is denied.

This association is, in its very nature, the cooperation and fellowship of the churches composing it. Each church has an equal voice in every enterprise sponsored by this association.

Section 1. This association recognizes that freedom of speech is essential to the highest achievement of its work. The association will stand or fall upon its own conformity to the truth. The association will in no way exercise ecclesiastical authority, but it will, by every precaution, recognize the autonomy and independence of each church. The association will encourage, on the part of the churches and the messengers, the greatest possible freedom of expression in discussing matters pertaining to its works, and it will stress the preeminence of missions, evangelism, Christian education, publications, and benevolence in the work of the churches.
Section 2. All questions are to be decided by a majority of the messengers present and voting, except the questions of amending the Statement of Principles of Cooperation, Doctrinal Statement, or as otherwise provided.

The powers of this association are limited to the execution of the expressed will of the churches composing it according to the teachings of the New Testament. The association, in its annual sessions, will elect such officers as are necessary for the expending of its deliberation and work, and will appoint such committees as are necessary, and transact any business as may be directed by the churches composing it.

Section l. The presiding officers of this association are as follows: president, a first vice-president and a second vice-president, elected annually to assume the duties of the respective offices at the conclusion of the annual session in which they were elected, whose terms of office shall not exceed two (2) consecutive years.
Section 2. The clerical officers of this association are three (3) recording secretaries, elected on a staggered basis of three (3) years each. It is the duty of the recording secretaries to keep a true and accurate account of all proceedings of this association and to superintend the printing and distribution of minutes or annuals.
Section 3. Department and agency officers are as follows:
A. Department of Christian Education: The board of trustees of the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary shall, when necessary, elect a seminary president to supervise and promote the program of the institution.
B. Department of Church Resources: Annually, this association shall elect an Executive Director of Church Resources to
supervise and promote the Church Resources Department.
C. Department of Lifeword Broadcast Ministries: Annually, this association shall elect and executive director of Lifeword Broadcast Ministries to supervise and promote the radio and television ministry of the association.
D. Department of Missions: Annually, this association shall elect an Executive Director of Missions, who shall recommend Directors of Operations (North America, Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia, Latin America, Baptist Medical Missions International and Chaplaincy) to be approved by the Advisory Committee and the Association or Missionary Committee, who will work together in the promotion of missions and in the distribution, according to the will of the churches, of all funds submitted to them.
E. Ministers Resource Services Agency: Annually, this association shall elect an Executive Director of Ministers Resource Services to supervise and promote the work of this agancy in providing varous benefits for pastors and other employees of the churches.
F. Moral Action Committee Agency: Annually, this association shall elect an Executive Director of the Moral Action Committee to supervise and promote the work of the agancy and to serve as treasurer to receive and disburse funds as directed.
Section 4. All officers are elected by nomination and standing vote unless otherwise stated in this Statememt of Principles of Cooperation. The election of presiding and clerical officers shall be during the third business session of the annual messenger meeting. Officers making annual reports shall be elected immediately after their reports have been made to, and received by, the messenger body.
Section 5. Should a vacancy occur in any of the departmental or agency executive offices between annual sessions of the association, it shall be the duty of the applicable committee and/or board of trustees to fill said vacancy.
Section 6. All departmental and agency officers shall make reports of their ministries to their respective committees or boards of trustees at regularly convened meetings. These officers will render reports to the association when convened in annual session.

Section 1. The Coordinating Council shall consist of seven (7) members: the three (3) presiding officers, the immediate past-president and three (3) elected from the floor on a staggered basis for three (3)-year terms. The immediate past-president shall serve as chairman. Four (4) members of the Coordinating Council shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The purpose of the council is to cast a unified vision and promote cooperation between the departments and/or agencies of the Baptist Missionary Association of America.
Section 3. The duties of the council:
A. To review, at least annually, the specific mission of each department or agency in light of the purpose and policy of the
association, in order to assure comprehensiveness and avoid duplications in ministry.
B. To advise in the development of each department's annual budget and fund-raising activities and make a report to the
association.
C. To recommend organizational changes in the departmental structure of the association. The council may recommend the establishment of additional departments, the elimination or consolidation of existing departments, or the transfer of responsibilities from one department to another.
D. To report to the association annually.
Section 4. Duties of the Chairman:
A. Call meetings as necessary to carry out the work of the council.
B. Appoint a clerk to keep records of all proceedings.

ARTICLE IX - DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS

Section 1. Purpose Statement: In compliance with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) our purpose is to evangelize, then baptize and disciple all converts. This being the New Testament method of missions, the focus of the Department of Missions is church planting. Following Christ's example, we also engage in humanitarian and benevolent ministries.
Section 2. Administration:
A. Executive Director
1. Elected by the Association in annual session.
2. Responsibilities
a. Serve as administrator of total missions program.
b. Recommend a Director of Operations for each division of missions subject to approval by the Advisory Committee and the Association or Missionary Committee.
c. Provide monthly written reports to the Advisory Committee, including line item budget financial statements.
d. Provide both a written and oral report to the Association for each annual session.
3. Job Description: The Executive Director shall be responsibile for the overall administration and supervision of the Department of Missions, including the following:
a. To serve as chief financial officer to receive and disperse all funds unless directed otherwise by the Association.
i. To administer revolving loan funds according to the Articles of the Association of the North American Loan Association, Inc.
ii. To disperse all designated funds as directed by the donor with resonable promptness unless prohibited by published guidelines in the Missionary Handbook (guidelines previously adopted by the Association).
iii. To prepare annually, in consultation with appropriate director and the finance committee, operational budgets for each field.
iv. To keep each Director of Operations informed of the current financial status of the Missions Department.
b. To serve as operational director of the entire Missions Department.
i. To conduct annual planning sessions with each Director of Operations.
ii. To conduct weekly meetings, if possible, with the Directors of Operations to include:
(1) Status of current mission fields.
(2) Consideration of possible new fields.
(3) Coordination of schedules.
(4) Consultation on any matter affecting the efficiency of missions, including financial status, office procedures, program for the Missions Conference and publications of The Gleaner.
(5) Accountability of each Director of Operations through written reports concerning all trips, calls and correspondence to the missionaries and/or mission fields.
(6) Sharing of all trips, calls and correspondence relative to the respective fields with the appropriate Director of Operations.
(7) Delegation of responsibilites to the appropriate Director of Operations.
c. To coordinate the office staff.
d. To be responsible to meet with and provide pertinent material for all committees pertaining to their work.
e. To act as promotional director for the Missions Department.
i. To edit and promote The Gleaner.
ii. To plan and promote the Missions Conference.
iii. To keep the churches informed regularly through the news media and through correspondence of the goals, special needs, promotions and current financial status of the Missions Department in cooperation with the various Directors of Operations.
f. To act as missions personnel director.
i. Having the freedom and responsibility to deal with all missionary personnel as required, utilizing the expertise and knowledge of the appropriate Director of Operations and Advisory Committee to enhance the furtherance of the ministry on the field in question.
ii. Should disciplinary action become necessary, the follwoing shall be the procedure:
(1) The missionary shall be placed under suspension, with pay to continue.
(2) The missionary shall be brought in for review of the matter with the Advisory Committee at the earliest possible date.
(3) If the situation cannot be satisfactorily resolved in counsel with the Advisory Committee, a meeting of the
Missionary Committee shall be called at the earliest possible date for full and open review of the matter.
B. Directors of Operations: The Directors of Operations shall be recommended by the Executive Director and approved by the Advisory Committee and the Association or Missionary Committee.
1. Director of Operations - North America: The responsibilities of the Director of Operations - North American Missions are:
a. To coordinate all church planting and educationsl activities with the regional trainers in the United States and Canada.
b. Annually provide a one (1)-year, three (3)-year and five (5)-year plan for North American Missions that would include a comprehensive report on:
i. Personnel
ii. Locations
iii. Funding
iv. Needed equipment
v. Estimated time of implementation of all church planting projects
c. Provide a monthly written report to the Executive Director regarding North American Missions.
d. Provide a written report to the Executive Director on all field trips, including possible changes or problems.
e. Provide research and development of information to the Executive Director relating to the selection of fields.
f. Seek out qualified church planters.
g. Process applications for North American Missions personnel and present qualified applicants to the Advisory Committee for approval.
h. Provide assistance, encouragement and appropriate supervision to North American missions personnel through:
i. Orientation
ii. Training
iii. Field visits
iv. Resource materials and personnel
v. Property search, building plans, construction and financing
i. Enlist the direct participation of churches and associations in the work of church planting through the Partnership Plan and any other approved program of the Association.
j. To work in harmony with the Executive Director and the Advisory Committee.
2. Director of Operations - Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia: The responsibilities of the Director of Operations - Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia are:
a. To coordinate all church planting and educational activities in Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia.
b. Annually provide a one (1)-year, three (3)-year and five (5)-year plan for Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia that would include a comprehensive report on:
i. Personnel
ii. Locations
iii. Funding
iv. Needed equipment
v. Estimated time of implementation of all church planting projects
c. Provide a monthly written report to the Executive Director regarding Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia missions.
d. Provide a written report to the Executive Director on all field trips including possible changes or problems.
e. Provide research and development of information to the Executive Director relating to the selection of fields.
f. Process American applications for Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia missions personnel and present qualified applicants to the Advisory Committee for approval for recommendation to the Association.
g. Provide assistance, encouragement and appropriate supervision to Europe/Asia/Africa/Australia church planters through:
i. Orientation
ii. Training
iii. Field visits
iv. Resource materials and personnel
v. Property search, building plans, construction and financing
h. Seek out qualified church planters.
i. Promote participation of churches and associations in the work of church planting.
j. To work in harmony with the Executive Director and the Advisory Committee.
3. Director of Operations - Latin America : The responsibilities of the Director of Operations - Latin America are:
a. To coordinate all church planting and educational activities in Latin America.
b. Annually provide a one (1)-year, three (3)-year and five (5)-year plan for Latin American Missions that would include a comprehensive report on:
i. Personnel
ii. Locations
iii. Funding
iv. Needed equipment
v. Estimated time of implementation of all church planting projects
c. Provide a monthly written report to the Executive Director regarding Latin American missions.
d. Provide a written report to the Executive Director on all field trips including possible changes or problems.
e. Provide research and development of information to the Executive Director relating to the selection of fields.
f. Seek out qualified church planters.
g. Process American applications for Latin American missions personnel and present qualified applicants to the Advisory Committee for approval for recommendation to the Association.
h. Provide assistance, encouragement and appropriate supervision to Latin American church planters through:
i. Orientation
ii. Training
iii. Field visits
iv. Resource materials and personnel
v. Property search, building plans, construction and financing
i. Promote participation of churches and associations in the work of church planting.
j. To work in harmony with the Executive Director and the Advisory Committee.
4. Director of Operations - Missions Support Ministries: The responsibilities of the Director of Operations - Missions Support Ministries are:
a. To direct BMMI and coordinate humanitarian, medical ministries and related evangelistic programs where needed.
b. To coordinate support ministries with the appropriate Operational Directors.
c. Annually provide a one (1)-year, three (3)-year and five (5)-year plan for Missions Support Ministries that would
include:
i. Personnel
ii. Funding recommendations
iii. Needed equipment
d. Provide a monthly written report to the Executive Director regarding Missions Support Ministries.
e. Provide a written report to the Executive Director on all trips, including possible changes or problems.
f. Provide research and development of information to the Executive Director relating to the program.
g. Coordinate all ministry activities with local church planters.
h. Seek qualified volunteers to work in all ministry areas.
i. Promote participation of churches and associations in Missions Support Ministries.
j. To work in harmony with the Executive Director and the Advisory Committee.
5. Director of Operations - Chaplains: The responsibilities of the Director of Operations - Chaplains are:
a. To coordinate all armed forces and institutional chaplains.
b. To secure for the association denominational quotas for all branches of the armed forces.
c. To work in harmony with the Executive Director and Chaplains subcommittee.
d. The missionary committee shall elect a subcommittee of five (5) members to serve with the Executive Director of
Missions and the Director of Operations - Chaplains as trustees for the Armed Forces and Institutional Chaplains
Division. The members of the subcommittee shall be elected to five (5)-year terms on a staggered basis.
Section 3. Advisory Committee: The Advisory Committee shall be a fifteen member standing committee, three (3) of whom shall be elected annually to five (5)-year terms. Eight (8) of this committee shall constitute a quorum.
1. The nature and duties of this committee are:
a. To counsel with the Executive Director of Missions and the Directors of Operations in all matters pertaining to policy, operation and personnel and to report its recommendations to the Association.
b. To consider processed missionary applications, to interview viable missionary candidates and to report to the Association or Missionary Committee those whom it recommends for election.
c. To interview all Partnership Plan missionary applicants
d. To periodically review the work of the missionaries, Executive Director of Missions and the Directors of Operations and to report its recommendations to the Association.
2. Missionaries may present matters to the Advisory Committee, after consultation with the Executive Director of Missions and the appropriate Director of Operations.
3. In an emergency situation the Advisory Committee shall have the latitude to fill a vacancy on any mission field, subject to the approval of the Association or Missionary Committee at the next meeting.
4. Organization
a. Officers
i. Chairman
ii. Assistant Chairman
iii. Clerk
iv. Assistant Clerk
b. Sub-committees shall consist of three (3) members who are appointed by the chairman of the Advisory Committee.
i. Promotion Committee shall work with the Executive Director and the appropriate Director of Operations in developing a sound acceptable approach to promoting missions among our churches.
ii. Finance Committee shall work with the Executive Director and the appropriate Director of Operations in budget development and long-range planning.
iii. Assessment Committee shall work with the Executive Director, the appropriate Director of Operations, the endorsing church, field coordinators and/or trainers in making assessments regarding all missionary applicants.
iv. Field Committee shall work with the Executive Director and the appropriate Director of Operations to coordinate field visits to all existing or proposed mission fields in order to encourage the missionary family and to analyze field possibilities and needs. After each visit, a written report will be provided to the Executive Director and the appropriate Director of Operations. Expenses for these visits will be paid by the participants.
v. Counsel Committee shall work with the Executive Director and the appropriate Director of Operations in evaluating staff and the overall missions program. This committee should be available to provide counsel between sessions, as called upon by the Executive Director.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Department of Church Resources Committee, which shall also serve as the corporation's board of directors consisting of fifteen (15) members, eight (8) of whom shall constitute a quorum. The duties of the board of directors are:
A. To act in its field as an executive of the association between annual sessions, performing all duties entrusted to it by the association.
B. To fill any vacancy between sessions that may occur in the Executive Director's office.
Section 2. This department will provide resources to strengthen and encourage local church growth by:
A. Providing a complete course of Sunday School and Christian Growth Ministry literature, and such other literature and
publications as the association may deem advisable.
B. Making consultants available to the local church for training.
C. Developing and coordinating retreats, conferences, student ministries, and special events.
D. Offering information services, including statistical data related to the association's ministries.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Christian Education Committee consisting of fifteen (15) members, eight (8) of whom shall constitute a quorum, to act as a board of trustees for the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary.
Section 2. The duties of the board of trustees are:
A. To act in its field as an executive of the association, performing all duties that may be entrusted to it by the association.
B. To promote the work of the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary.
C. To make selection of the president, faculty and other members of the school staff in accordance with the instructions and purposes of the association.
D. To make whatever arrangements are necessary for the equipment and maintenance of the educational enterprise.
Section 3. The board of trustees is duly authorized to require each applicant for a position on the faculty to sign a statement that he/she is in agreement with the Statement of Principles of Cooperation and the Doctrinal Statement of this association before his/her election.
Section 4. The board of trustees shall have charge of any and all properties acquired by the association for this department.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Lifeword Broadcast Ministries board of directors consisting of nine (9) members, five (5) of whom shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The duties of the board of directors are:
A. To act in its field as an executive of the associatioin between annual sessions, performing all duties entrusted to it by the association.
B. To provide evangelistic programs that present the doctrinal position of the churches of this association.
C. To provide good Christian music for use in the Lifeword Broadcast Ministries as well as for the use of the churches of this association.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Ministers Resource Services board of trustees consisting of nine (9) members, five (5) of whom shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The duties of the board of trustees are:
A. To utilize sound business principles, establish and operate a retirement and protective program for the benefit of ministers of the Gospel of the churches of the association, their widows and orphans and in like manner for the missionaries of such churches and for such laymen and laywomen of said denomination as shall be full-time salaried employees of such churches, the association or an activity of an affiliated church or the association which is wholly owned or controlled by such churches or the association.
B. To conduct the business and activities of the Ministers Benevolent Society as a part of the agency.
C. To study, develop and institute such further programs and plans for the benefit and welfare of those individuals referred to in paragraph “A” of this section, as may be deemed advisable from time to time.
D. To employ such staff as necessary to conduct the activities of the agency.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Moral Action Committee consisting of six (6) members, four (4) of whom shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The purposes of this committee are:
A. To present Christ as Savior to all with whom it may come into contact.
B. To be responsible for leading the churches of this association in the promotion of biblical morality in all areas of society and in oppostion of evils of our time, such as: alcohol, drug abuse, pornography, sodomy, gambling, child abuse, abortion, and moral/political issues that endanger the human race, the church and the family.
C. To be responsible for securing written or printed materials that present the biblical perspective on the issues mentioned in section 2B.
D. To be responsible for an organized effort among the churches to present the biblical views on all that is found in
section 2B.
E. To be responsible and available to lead in study courses, clinics, and conferences to inform the churches of the above evils and how to deal with them biblically.
Section 3. The duties of the committee members are:
A. To act in council with the director of this committee on all matters that concern the Moral Action Committee.
B. To be representatives of this committee in their states.
C. To be available to join the director and others in lobbying our state and national legislative bodies concerning the issues in section 2B.
D. To carry out the wishes of the churches in all matters concerning this committee.
E. To bring before the association recommendatioins they feel are in the best interests of this committee and the churches.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Committee on Arrangements, consisting of three (3) members elected to three (3)-year terms on a staggered basis, shall be elected annually by the association.
Section 2. The duties of the committee are:
A. To develop and maintain written requirements for acceptable meeting places and arrangements.
B. To receive invitations for the annual meeting place at least six (6) months in advance of the meeting date in which the
invitations are to be considered.
C. To determine first through correspondence and second through personal inspection by at least two members of the committee that the proposed sites meet the requirements for an acceptable meeting place.
D. To seek out the most suitable meeting place, giving consideration to such factors as: (1) the availability of a cooperative and competent host committee, (2) location, (3) cost, (4) convenience, (5) housing, (6) amenities and (7) other incentives offered by local convention bureaus.
E. To involve host committees in order to expedite meeting arrangements.
F. To report their work to the association each year, including all invitations, and the committee recommendation as to the most acceptable meeting place at least two years in advance.
G. To be responsible for negotiating and signing all contracts for meeting site and facilities.
H. To publicize the annual meeting appropriately, employing the services of the Baptist News Service, other departments of the association, local host committee, and commercial news agencies.
I. To determine exhibitors, allot display space, and assign committee meeting rooms.
J. To authorize the payment of annual meeting expenses from the Minute and Meeting Expense Fund, including the actual cost of renting the convention facilities, plus other related expenses as needed.

Section 1. The standing committees are: Arrangement, Department of Christian Education, Department of Church Resources, Directors' Evaluation and Compensation, Enrollment and Finance, Department of Lifeword Broadcast Ministries, Ministers Resource Services, Department of Missions Advisory, Moral Action Committee Agency, and Nominating.
Section 2. All standing committee members shall be elected on a staggered basis for five (5)-year terms, three (3)-year terms for non-departmental committees, or as otherwise specifically authorized, and may succeed themselves one time. No one may serve on more than one standing committee.
Section 3. No one who is an employee of the Baptist Missionary Association may serve on a committee under whose supervision he may come, except where legal status prohibits this rule.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Directors' Evaluation and Compensation Committee consisting of nine (9) members, five (5) of whom shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The duties of this committee are:
A. To receive evaluations of their directors from the various boards of trustees and committees of the association. Evaluations should be sent to this committee no later than January 31.
B. To review those evaluations and give prayerful consideration to the compensations of each director based on tenure, merit, and cost of living increases.
C. To recommend annually to the association compensation schedules for all department and agency directors who are elected by the association.

Section 1. This association shall elect annually a chairman and assistant chairman who shall appoint an Enrollment and Finance Committee consisting of six (6) members, two (2) of whom shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The duties of the Enrollment and Finance Committee are:
A. To enroll the messengers and visitors at all regular or called sessions of the association, and to receive such funds as may be tendered by the churches, and any other funds as directed by the presiding officer of the association.
B. To report to the body the number of messengers enrolled, and funds collected. The first report will be given immediately after the president announces the messengers are ready for permanent organization. A report shall be given at any time after the committee is prepared, upon request of any presiding officer or any messenger. A final report shall be given near the close of the final session of the association.
C. The Enrollment and Finance Committee shall not enroll messengers while the association is in session.
Section 3. Any time the number of votes exceeds the number of messengers enrolled, the voting shall be suspended until the irregularity is checked and corrected.
Section 4. In the event any irregularity in voting cannot be corrected otherwise, a roll call of the churches shall be taken and the number of persons voting from each church shall be ascertained.

Section 1. This association shall elect a Nominating Committee consisting of seven (7) members, four (4) of whom shall constitute a quorum. In annual session the association president and vice-presidents shall present nominees for the nominating committee, giving due consideration to representation from various regions of the association.
Section 2. The duties of the Nominating Committee are:
A. To present to the association as nominees the names of persons to serve on all other standing committees (except the Missions Advisory Committee), boards of trustees, and any other committees, as directed by the association, as terms expire or as vacancies occur.
B. To encourage the submission of the names of prospective members of committees and boards of trustees by the chief executive officers of the departments and agencies as well as from the general constituency, including state and local associations.
C. The Nominating Committe shall meet at least twice during the year.
1. The first meeting shall be to collect and process names, including those suggested by the executive directors and the churches, and then to compile the lists of prospective nominees and send them to the directors of the appropriate departments or agencies for review.
2. After the department and agency directors have had a reasonable time to respoind, the nominating committee shall meet
the second time to finalize the list of nominees it will present at the next annual meeting. When the list is completed, the secretary of the nominating committee shall send a copy of the list to the recording secretaries for publication in the recommendations booklet.

Section 1. The regular meeting of the messengers of the churches shall convene on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday following the third (3rd) Sunday of April, at such place as the messengers may choose two (2) years in advance. The date and/or location of the meeting may be adjusted, if necessary, by vote of the messengers at least one (1) year in advance.
Section 2. There will be six (6) sessions of the association. The initial session will convene Monday evening at 7:00 and is to be a worship service planned by the presiding officers. Included in this session will be the president’s message and introduction of the theme and a thirty (30)-minute concert by one of the three college choirs (Southeastern, Central and Jacksonville) and Lifeword on a rotating basis. The second session will begin on Tuesday afternoon at 3:00. The third session will begin at 7:00 Tuesday evening and will include a worship service with the annual message. Business may be conducted at the discretion of the president. The fourth session will begin Wednesday morning at 8:30, and the fifth session will start Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.. The sixth session will start Wednesday evening and will include the Missions Department report.
Section 3. All departments and committees in Article VII, Section 3, except the Department of Missions, shall report annually to the association on a rotating basis with a thirty (30)-minute time limit for each report and no time limit for discussion of said report.
Section 4. The presiding officers, the Baptist Music Fellowship president, and the Host Committee shall be responsible for the schedule of all related committee and auxiliary meetings, within the framework of Section 2 above, taking into consideration the wishes and requests of the various groups which require time and space for their meetings.
Section 5. The presiding officers may call a special session in case of an emergency.

Section l. All funds of this association will be raised by voluntary contributions secured solely upon the merits of the cause for which appeals may be made. Such funds as may be derived from income from any property that may be acquired by purchase or donation, or any gift that may be made to the association, will be disbursed by vote of the association or its designated committee.
Section 2. Distribution of funds will be authorized by an act of this association, or by the act of properly authorized committees of the association. In no event will the association, or any of its committees, use funds in violation of the expressed will of the donors.
Section 3. All funds of this association will pass through the hands of the treasurer to which such funds belong. This includes money, deeds, or whatsoever may be entrusted to any committee.
Section 4. It will be the duty of the directors to receive and disburse all funds of this association according to the will of the association. They will furnish bonds sufficient for the due protection of the association, the expense of such bonds to be paid by the association. The directors will make true and full reports of all matters pertaining to their offices, and their reports are to be
approved by certified auditors.

Section 1. Amendments to the Statement of Principles of Cooperation.
A. Proposed amendments to this Statement of Principles of Cooperation must be submitted in writing to the clerks of the
association no later than February 1 prior to the annual meeting. It shall be the responsibility of the clerks to provide a copy of each proposed amendment to the Publications Division of the Department of Church Resources no later than February 15 to be printed in the Recommendations Booklet to be mailed to the churches. Any additional expenses involved in printing the Recommendations Booklet shall be paid from the Minute and Meeting Expense Fund.
B. Any proposed amendment may be presented in any annual business session and thoroughly discussed in that session. At a subsequent business session the vote will be taken without further discussion. Any change requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of messengers present and voting.
C. In the event a proposed amendment to this Statement of Principles of Cooperation is referred to the churches, and the churches send their vote either by letter or messenger, and a majority of the churches thus reporting express their desire for the amendment, the amendment shall pass. No particular form will be required.
Section 2. Amendments to the Doctrinal Statement.
A. Proposed amendments to the Doctrinal Statement must be submitted by a cooperating church to the clerks of the
association no later than February 1 prior to the annual meeting. It shall be the responsibility of the clerks to provide a copy of each proposed amendment to the Publications Department no later than February 15 to be printed in the Recommendations Booklet to be mailed to the churches. Any additional expense involved in printing the Recommendations Booklet shall be paid from the Minute and Meeting Expense Fund.
B. A proposed amendment shall be presented and discussed in one annual meeting and voted on in the following annual meeting during its initial business session. Discussion will be permitted immediately before the vote is taken. Any change requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of messengers present and voting.
C. In the event a proposed change to the Doctrinal Statement is referred to the churches, and the churches send their vote either by letter or messenger, and a majority of the churches thus reporting express their desire for the amendment, the amendment shall pass. No particular form will be required.