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What is a Baptist Association?

What is a Baptist Association?. Prepared by J. K. Minton Updated by Robby Partain BBA Church Health Consultant BBA Executive Director Former BBA Executive Director. Definition. A Baptist association is a >family of Southern Baptist churches >sharing a common faith and

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What is a Baptist Association?

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  1. What is a Baptist Association? Prepared by J. K. Minton Updated by Robby Partain BBA Church Health Consultant BBA Executive Director Former BBA Executive Director

  2. Definition A Baptist association is a >family of Southern Baptist churches >sharing a common faith and >partnering with one another to >fulfill the Great Commission >in their setting.

  3. A family of Southern Baptist churches • The churches that comprise the Bluebonnet Association are autonomous, independent, self-governing churches that choose to partner together to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). • As an extended family, the churches form a relationship of interdependenceto assist each other so that individually and corporately the churches might be more effective in their mission and to promote a sense of oneness and fellowship among the churches.

  4. Sharing a common faith • The fellowship of an association is based upon a general harmony in faith and practices. • Although there is diversity among individual church practices and customs, an association is a doctrinally-based fellowship. Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)

  5. Partnering with one another • The association was the first form of cooperation among Baptist churches. • The first mission activities of Baptists were through associations. • The association provides a means for churches to do a greater work together in their setting than they can do alone.

  6. Fulfill the Great Commission • The mission of the local church is to make disciples of all people (Matthew 28:19-20) • The local church has the responsibility to fulfill this mission according to Acts 1:8: • Jerusalem – church field • Judea – association area • Samaria – state/regional area • Ends of the Earth – national/international ministry

  7. In their setting The churches of the Bluebonnet Baptist Association minister in a geographical setting (Central Texas area around and between San Antonio and Austin) and share many common conditions, challenges, and ministry opportunities.

  8. Mission of the Association The MISSION of Bluebonnet Baptist Association is to assist the cooperating churches in their divinely appointed task of fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

  9. Bluebonnet Baptist Association has developed ministry priorities to implement our mission • Assisting churches in starting new churches • Assisting churches in church health & revitalization • Assisting churches in equipping church leaders

  10. The association is self-governing The association is created by the churches and is accountable to those churches through messengers to the annual meetings and representatives on the executive board who are selected and approved by the churches.

  11. The association is one of several Baptist entities with which the church may partner Bluebonnet Baptist Association Baptist General Convention of Texas Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Southern Baptist Convention In Baptist life there is no higher power over the local church than God.

  12. What are some ways our association can assist your church? • Partner with your church in church planting and other missions ventures • Partner with your church in ministry opportunities • Provide training opportunities for your church leaders/committees/teams • Partner to provide licensed, biblical counseling for church members • Assist to help strengthen your church ministries • Encourage and assist your pastor/pastoral staff • Pray for your church • Assist your church with ministry to students at local colleges and universities • Assist in disaster relief work for your church

  13. What is the Bluebonnet Baptist Association? It is exactly what the churches make it!

  14. How do churches shape our association? • By their prayers • By their expectations • By their commitment to Kingdom principles of church missions/ministry (Acts 1:8) • By their partnership in planting churches • By the significance they give to the role of their messengers and executive board members • By their involvement in associational planning • By their financial support (at least 2.5% of their undesignated receipts) • By their attitudes and actions in providing leadership to the association

  15. Churches make our association a vital force for advancing God’s Kingdom,orthey hinder it by their lack of support and participation.

  16. What Can You Do? • Faithfully serve the Lord Jesus and support your local church • Discover your ministry and commit to “Judean” ministry in partnership with other churches through the association (Acts 1:8) • Investigate how the association can assist and/or support your church • Communicate your own needs to associational leadership

  17. What Can You Do? • Participate in associational planning and training • Design your church budget to support Acts 1:8 missions responsibilities through the association, the state convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention • Pray for the Associational Leadership

  18. Bluebonnet Baptist Associationassisting churches. . .

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