Note: Session 10 was the history of the local church. In Washington D.C. the various societies of the American
Baptists held a general meeting. Out of this meeting, May 17, 1907, would come the formation of
the Northern Baptist Convention. The American Baptist Missionary Union Missionary Union had
adopted a resolution in 1896 calling for a Commission of Systemic Beneficence. This commission
was formed to seek ways to eliminate duplication of financial appeals to the churches. A committee
which was formed to study the issue came up with a four point proposal. 1) That the same delegates
be seated at the meetings of all societies. 2) That a midyear meeting of all executive officers of the
societies be called to coordinate activities. 3) That the societies agree to make a joint appeal to the
churches. 4) That a committee be formed to make further study. By 1907, the Societies had decided
to combine their work while at the same time keeping their separate organizations. The convention
structure was planned with two major goals. First, to preserve the independence of the local church.
Second, to provide for the coordination of denominational work. The expressed object of the new organization was to express the
opinions of its constituency and to promote denominational unity and
efficiency in efforts for the evangelization of the world.
From its beginning the Convention recognized that it was not a Church
but rather a group of churches working together. At the start the
Convention was, basically, the joint annual meeting of the three mission
societies, ABFMS, ABHMS and the Board of education and publication.
Once the M&M Benefit Board was formed, it also met at the same
Convention. As noted, the Societies remains independent but cooperative.
In 1972 a Study Commission on Denominational Structure delivered its
report to the convention. This commission (called SCODS) has been formed
in 1968. It had reported its work at conventions and in the denominational
publications, as well as holding hearing throughout the Country. The report
was amended slightly and adopted at the 1972 convention.
The rational of the new structure was to attempt to involve more people
in the decision making process of the denomination. Previously all policy
decisions had been made at the annual Convention. Only 25% of the
churches were represented at the Convention each year. Further, the
convention would represent its locale much more than the whole nation.
70% of the delegates lived within 750 miles of any particular convention
site. Under the new structure, a General Board with decision making powers
was formed. this board would have about 200 members. Three fourths of
the board would be elected by local "election districts." the other fourth
would be chosen at the national Convention every other year.
In 1995 the number of members of the General Board was reduced and
the election of the delegate was put in the hands of the Regions rather than
the "election districts." In part this was a response to the fact that the
election districts had no other function in the denomination besides electing
a delegate to the general Board. The Region, on the other hand, meets
regularly for other business.
The four societies continue to function. Currently they are treated as
program boards under the direction of the General Board. Each member of
the General Board is assigned to serve on the Board of one of the Societies.
How are we involved in the denomination? What part do we play? What
does the denomination do for us? Our church was founded in 1860. the
Northern Baptist Convention did not begin until 1907. Still, as early as 1973
we received help from the Home Mission Society which would later be a
part of the Convention. Our church is in direct contact with the
denomination on three levels.
The first level is the Area. Each month I get together with several pastors
who are a part of a cluster of the North Coastal Area. Usually, our Area
Minister will be at this cluster meeting. I also serve on the North Coastal
Area Program Board, along with several other members of our church.
Once each year the Area has its annual meeting. there we meet together for
inspiration, as well as reports and business.
Our region is called the American Baptist Churches of the West. It is at
the Region level that we provide camping opportunities. Also the Region
provides staff to help the churches in areas such as Christian education,
evangelism and missions outreach.
As a part of the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., we work
together with 1,300,000 other Baptists in World mission. Through the
denomination we have access to seminaries which train individuals for
ministry. We have used the placement system to seek pastors for our church.
We also have received and used program resources from the ABC/USA.

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