[1]CLOVIS, Calif. (BP)–Messengers to the California Southern Baptist Convention approved a 12-member task force to study the state convention’s efforts in fulfilling the Great Commission during the CSBC’s 70th annual meeting at Clovis Hills Community Church in Clovis.
Messengers also approved a trimmed down Cooperative Program objective for 2011.
Following suit of the Southern Baptist Convention in seeking a Great Commission resurgence, Chris Morgan, a member of Helendale Community Church in Helendale, made the motion which authorized the CSBC president to appoint a “Focus 21 Task Force,” charging the committee with the assignment of discerning how California Southern Baptists can “most efficiently and effectively focus our efforts for the glory of God in fulfilling the Great Commission.”
The motion asked for a progress report at the 2011 annual meeting and requested the newly elected president to extend the task force for a second year and bring a final report and any recommendations to the CSBC annual meeting in 2012.
Walter Price, outgoing CSBC president, appointed the committee to be chaired by E. Glen Paden, president emeritus of California Baptist Foundation and a member of Clovis Hills Community Church. Appointed vice chairman was Roger Spradlin, pastor of Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield who also served on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force and currently serves as chairman of the SBC Executive Committee.
Messengers approved a 2011 budget of $11,075,814 with a Cooperative Program objective of $6,920,000. The $11 million spending plan is a $532,144, or a 4.6 percent, decrease compared to the 2010 budget of $11,607,958.
[2]This is the second consecutive year of more than a 4.5 percent decrease in anticipated CP gifts.
If the Cooperative Program objective is met in 2011, the SBC would receive $2,076,000, or 30 percent, for national and international missions and ministries; the CSBC Executive Board ministries’ total would be $4,082,800, or 59 percent, for evangelism, church starting, missions and ministry in the Golden State; California Baptist University would receive $692,000, or 10 percent; and California Baptist Foundation would receive $69,200, or 1 percent.
A highlight of the two-day convention was an International Mission Board appointment service during which 14 new missionaries were appointed for service. The service was held in conjunction with, but not part of, the CSBC annual meeting and highlighted the convention theme, “Declare His Glory Among the Nations.”
Steve Davidson, pastor of Clovis Hills Community Church and host for this year’s annual meeting, was elected president for 2011. He defeated Michael Nolen, pastor of Southwinds Church in Tracy.
Other officers were elected without opposition: first vice president, Pete Ramirez, pastor of Iglesia Bautista White Road in San Jose; second vice president, Daniel Cassels, pastor of Life Way Fellowship in Santa Maria; and music director, Phil Wilson, music director at First Baptist Church in Clairemont.
The only resolution was one of appreciation for the City of Clovis, Mid-Valley Baptist Association and Clovis Hills for hosting the annual meeting.
Recommendations for nominees to serve on the convention’s committee on committees and agencies — CSBC Executive Board, CBU trustees and CBF directors — were approved without discussion or challenge.
The 2011 annual meeting is slated for Oct. 25-26 at New Life Church of San Francisco in Fremont.
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Terry Barone is editor of the California Baptist, newsjournal of the California Southern Baptist Convention.