Executive Committee

. . . a unity that derives from a proper understanding of creation, God’s grace, the church as a family or household of faith and a strong love ethic.

The nomination of Glen Stassen as the 2013 recipient of the

Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award was accepted by the executive. The award is to be presented during the BWA Annual Gathering in Jamaica in July. It was announced that the 2014 Annual Gathering will be held

in Izmir, Turkey. Izmir, which is biblical Smyrna, referred to in Revelation chapters two and three, is in western Turkey, usually referred to as Asia Minor in the New Testament. Close to Izmir are other biblical towns, including the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Some 70 persons traveled from around the world to attend

meetings of the BWA Executive Committee, sub-committees of the executive and advisory committees from March 3-6 at the BWA international offices in Falls Church, Virginia, a suburb of the US capital of Washington, DC.

DOCUMENT APPROVED to Guide BWA Relationships The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance®

approved the document to be presented at the General Council that lays out guidelines and principles on relationships among members and groups within the international umbrella organization. The purpose of the document, according to BWA General

Secretary Neville Callam, is to assist “members of the BWA family to live into the oneness whose expression we regard as an essential part of our vocation.” Theological assumptions underlying the document include a

unity that derives from a proper understanding of creation, God’s grace, the church as a family or household of faith and a strong love ethic. Titled Principles and Guidelines for Intra-Baptist

Relationships, the document provides direction to the BWA in handling the diversity of language, culture, opinions and perspectives in meetings and in the various operations of the international body which represents more than 42 million Baptists in 223 member organizations in 120 countries. “Language is an index of one’s identity and affirms one’s history and culture,” the document states. “The BWA therefore, recognizes the need to

IT AND STAFF CHANGES

in the BWA International Office The Baptist World Alliance® Executive Committee has

approved a revised Human Resources Manual. The vote to approve the new manual was conducted electronically and was unanimous. BWA General Secretary Neville Callam expressed appreciation for the effort

to prepare the updated manual by

the Human Resources Committee led by Jerry Carlisle, which brought to completion the work commenced by the Personnel Committee under former chair, John Sundquist. The information technology (IT) systems of the BWA office

have been outsourced. The BWA-owned servers have been closed down and the IT services contracted. With the introduction of an outsourced IT system, BWA staffers have access to their emails and electronic files from any location in the world. This development has been a boon to staff members whose work involves international travel. It is having a positive effect on the ongoing work in which all BWA staff members are involved. The new system has resulted not only in improved operational effectiveness but also in a reduction of BWA’s operational costs. The decision to outsource the BWA IT system resulted in the

departure from the BWA staff of Gary Helm, who had served as IT Specialist since 2002. During 2012, BWA lost the services of four other staff members –by retirement – Paul Montacute, Linda Falimy, Leola Hickman and Judy Campbell. The BWA gained the services of Rothang Chhangte, Kendra

Eastman and Shannon Cowett. These persons bring additional gifts to the staff team and we expect

that their tenure will

contribute to the renewal of the way we do ministry together as BWA staff.

Above: Helle Liht, assistant general secretary of the European Baptist Federation, leads worship during the BWA Executive Committee meeting

Left: Foreground: Durosinjesu Ayanrinola, BWA regional secretary for Africa and general secretary of the All Africa Baptist Fellowship, with BWA 1st vice president Daniel Carro.

Background: BWA President John Upton with George Bullard, BWA regional secretary for North America and general secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship

provide for greater opportunities to assist members to hear and speak in their own languages.” Callam declared that, if adopted

and followed, the principles and guidelines will enhance fellowship, strengthen ministry and give credible witness to the unity Baptists seek in Christ. He said the adoption of the principles and guidelines will require vigilance to “ensure that we hold each other accountable.” The document, prepared by a Special Commission on Intra-

Baptist Relations, led by Daniel Vestal and Edward Wheeler, was recommended for acceptance at the meeting of the General Council in Jamaica in July.