SPRINGFIELD—The financial condition of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) remains sound despite an economic downturn, according to MBC Associate Executive Director Jay Hughes.
Hughes gave a hopeful report to the MBC Executive Board Oct. 25, detailing a Cooperative Program budget intake that should finish between $14.7 million and $14.8 million for 2010. The budget calls for $15.1 million, but continued good handling of the funds has negated any call for budget managers to go to a 90 percent level of spending as was the case last year.
“We’ve held the line on our spending and we’re still, from a cash-flow standpoint, doing very well,” Hughes said.
Monies are coming in 4.8 percent behind budget through the end of September, Hughes said. Other state conventions are enduring worse conditions, he added, noting that some are behind as much as much as 10-12 percent and undergoing layoffs.
The MBC is now at a 5-6 month operating level of reserves at $3.5 million.
Executive Board Chairman Bruce McCoy, who served as an officer for four years, noted how delightful it has been for him to work with a group of men and women who are faithful, committed to the Gospel, and marked by their integrity.
“It’s been a joy to work with you over these years,” McCoy said.
Retiring Executive Board members are: Doug Austin, layman, Bethany, Cape Girardeau; Doug Bradley, minister, Coventry Estates, Independence; Donald Denney, layman, Rockwood; Doug Ervin, layman, First Kearney; Wesley Hammond, minister, First Paris; Kerry Messer, layman, First Festus/Crystal City; Rebecca Nance, laity, First Trenton; Harvey Parker, layman, First St. Joseph; and Don Rice, minister, First Hume.
Those nominated for a second term of service are: Larry Atkins, minister, First Buckhorn; Steve Betts, layman, Philadelphia; Dean Bredbenner, layman, First O’Fallon; Alice Chastain, laity, First Polo; Marty Finch, layman, First Winfield; Wayne Karrick, layman, Prairie Hill, Washburn; Phillip Rector, minister, First Belle; and Lynne Woods, laity, Ramsey Creek.
Those nominated for a new term are: Richard Biesiadecki, Rockwood Baptist Church, Wentzville; Benny Gard, minister, First Willard; Welby Jones, minister, Sterling Acres, Kansas City; Robert Kimmis, minister, Dawn Baptist Church; Betty Kleinschmidt, laity, First Baptist Church, Kearney; Larry Lewis, minister, First Centralia; Rick Loft, laity, Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, St. Joseph; and Eric Shrum, minister, First Baptist Church, Advance; Larry Thomas, minister, First Baptist Church, Raytown; and Jim Tolliver, minister, Plaza Heights Baptist Church, Blue Springs.
In other Executive Board business, members voted to:
• Establish a three-man task force to look into the viability of considering the idea of purchasing approximately 1,000 acres of Consolidated Mortage Co. property which surrounds the litigated Windermere Baptist Conference Center property;
• Amend the employee retirement plan by adding a limited retirement benefit clause; and
• Approve an overall investment policy to serve as a guide for investing, evaluating and monitoring the investment of specific funds owned by the MBC for both specific and general uses.
ALLEN PALMERI/associate editor
apalmeri@mobaptist.org