A Day in the life: B.M.S. World Mission Council of Reference.

One of the things  I do as part of my job is being part of the wider Baptist cause.  I have been involved with B.M.S. World Mission for three years as a member of their "Council of Reference".  It involves me in two meetings a year, bombing down to Birmingham for the day to be involved in the wider decision making process of the organisation.  Today I have kept a moment by moment account of my day.  Hopefully you can skim read it! 5:28 Wake just before the alarm. 5:50 Walk to the station. I noticed the bird singing gave way to the seagulls screeching as I got closer to the station. 6:17 Arrive at the station, out of breath and a bit worried. 6:19 Train left on time. It was a good journey.  I got lots of basic work done on my research. 9:05 Arrive in Birmingham and read through the meeting papers (again). Sometimes I wonder why I am involved in this meeting, but I'm beginning to remember.  Not only does the BMS do the traditional Missionary thing, it get involved in relief and development work.  They are not afraid to innovate and to take some imaginative steps. 9:30 Coffee and Networking. Surprising where you find mutual friends. Interesting blue sky conversation about the possibilities of putting Home Mission funded ministers into Independent Methodist Churches. 10:00 Welcome and preliminaries. 10:05 Brief review of the appointment of the New General Director, David Kerrigan. 10:10 David offered some comments and thanks. The main induction to the post is going to be done at the Baptist Assembly in Bournemouth.  Note: Must ask Jeff Taylor if he has thought of including the alternative venue (Prism) in the act of recognition for David in his new role. 10:20 Prayer of commissioning for David. 10:25 Discussion time Interesting questions were raised:

• How is BMS World Mission perceived in the Churches (who are the main providers of the charities income)?
• How should the experience of the organisation be used and shared within the U.K.?
• What has BMS learned that they can bring to our Mission and activites in the U.K.?
• What kind of dialogue should the organisation have with those of a Muslim background?

11:00 Coffee and More Networking. Another interesting discussion about Mission, Evangelism, Budgets and Priorities. 11:20 Financial Review. Phew! Not so long ago this organisation were facing a huge black hole in the finances. Along with increased giving from the support base and a large legacy, we have had a year where we have not drawn out of our savings. There was a big effort in saving costs, and in the current situation the reserves have been managed well.  We are affected by the falling value of the Pound, this is one of the most significant changes. Running slightly behind program. 11:48 Group Discussion. More interesting questions were raised.  I wonder how much the discussion in the council of reference affects the policy decisions.  Note: The later feedback session made me feel as though the trustees were listening to the conversations in the discussions and were taking the views of the Council of Reference on board. 12:20 Selecting New Trustees. 12:33 Update on the work of the training college.  My friend Justine H. gets an honourable mention as someone who has influenced the out going director of the centre (even though he seemed unable to pronounce her name properly!). 1:00 Lunch.  Lovely food, I chose lasagne and rice.  More networking.  Interesting conversations about planting churches and ministry in urban areas.   I bumped into one of the people I first talked to about a sense of call into ministry (I was 16 at the time). 1:50 Update of Staff Vacancies and restructuring two of the departments. 1:55 Update on the Charities work in central Africa.  Some of the work involves:

• Church Leadership Training;
• Advocacy & Legal Awareness;
• Basic Education;
• Relief grants to help displaced people because of civil war.

Two workers from Central Africa shared their experiences of training teachers to cope with classes of over 100 children.  Their other work with the local church, helping young people deal with their questions about faith and learning from the relational approach of the African Church. 2:16 Stretch break. 2:17 Feedback from the strategy discussions.

• Over 40% thought that BMS could have a valuable contribution to make with work in the U.K. 38% did not.  The majority of people who spoke on this issue, considered that BMS thought that BMS could make a contribution to our U.K. based mission, but not necessarily contribute personell to the situation.
• Over 70% agreed that BMS needed to strengthen its theological stance.
• No consensus on the issue of dialogue with those of a Muslim background.  It raises interesting issues.  Do our churches percieve dialogue with those of other faiths as threatening?
• Campaigning was seen as an appropriate thing for the BMS to do.  I think  this needs a little qualification.  Where BMS have a reason to campaign they should.  The people traficing campaign is a good example.  The work we were involved in highlighted the issue.  The campaign was launched on the back of that.  I felt that the creation care campaign that the BMS have invested a fair amount of time on in the last year has been a little forced.  It didn't seem to flow naturally from the work.
• Over 80% would support sending people to potentially risky parts of the world.
• Overall the meeting agreed that Creation Care should form part of the descision making and strategy process.

2:50 News of:

• Events;
• Vacancies;
• Changes to the governing documents;
• News of a sister charity to help attract some funding for some of the development work.

3:30 Closing Prayers 3:55 Walk through the Bullring in Birmingham in search of free wifi.  Looks like the Bullring has had a make-over since I was last dragged here by Louise (12 years ago?). 4:15 Settle on Urban Pie.  Check facebook, e.mails and twitter.  Looks like my friends have been having a little conversation about my destination today!  Edit this entry (most of which Ityped up during the meeting). 5:20 A little time to read before catching the train home. 8:22 (Hopefully) Arrive in Morecambe after reading and writing for my studies, while on the train.