JEFFERSON CITY—Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Interim Executive Director Jay Hughes said June 7 that the $500,000 shortfall to the 2012 budget has been closed with no positions cut.
The proposed $14.5 million budget that will go before the Executive Board in July has been balanced in part through attrition and transition on staff, he said. The new North American Mission Board (NAMB) strategy for 2012 is also in place, Hughes said, with the MBC picking up 8 of the 16 jointly funded missionary positions at a cost of around $240,000. The others will remain 50/50, Hughes said.
“Our desire is to continue our efforts and adjust to the changing denominational and economical landscapes while not hindering any future decisions by our next executive director,” Hughes said.
Transitions and attritions continue at the Baptist Building. In order they have been:
• Della Baumgartner, administrative assistant, who began working three days a week May 1, with an eye on retiring June 30, 2012;
• George Roach, ministerial services specialist, who began working three days a week June 1, with an eye on a future retirement even as he serves as a bi-vocational pastor at Highview Baptist Church, Chillicothe;
• John Francis, worship specialist, who will be leaving in late June to join Beacon Hill Baptist Church, Somerset, Ky., as associate minister and minister of music; and
• Sue Wilson, administrative assistant, who will be retiring July 31.
Amid all of that came the May 19 merging of two teams into one, with Church Ministries under Spencer Hutson absorbing Church Health. MBC Associate Executive Director Jerry Field announced that Mike Cooper “will no longer serve as a team leader … as he transitions into a new ministry.” Hughes said it is an effort to maximize efficiency and adapt to a new environment.
“The merged teams performed similar duties, and we feel the realignment is beneficial for the future as it elevates and emphasizes networks as a part of our ministry strategy,” Hughes said. n
BY STAFF