CBAmerica Update 2011

I am often asked about where CBAmerica is headed. Here is a brief summary of recent events. Hope it is helpful.

In 2002, the National Coordinating Council made up of key leaders from the various CB entities, issued a “Call for Change Among the Conservative Baptist Family.” Citing our strong heritage of biblical integrity, missionary zeal and passion for the local church, the council observed signs of plateau, and even decline (January 2002). Two task forces were created to address the concerns and to propose “radical solutions to assure a healthy and bright future together.”

After diligent and sacrificial labor by the two Task Forces, a Vision Summit was called in Littleton, CO (September 10, 2003). Forty-two CB leaders representing the numerous CB entities gathered to hear the reports and recommendations. It seemed that the endeavors would continue and result in the desired outcomes.

The NCC met in Portland, OR, and received the final report from the Doctrinal Task Force (October 27, 2003). The report was received, and the NCC voted to conclude the work of the task force, “sensing that the Task Force had substantially fulfilled its purpose.” As stated in the Final Report from the Council dated November 28, the churches and agencies in the CB family will continue to be guided by the doctrinal statements currently in use.

In the same report, the Council announced that the Organizational Task Force recommended dissolution due to “inability to make progress on a plan to consolidate CB ministries.” The report went on to say, “The spiritual and relational challenges we face as a CB movement will not be solved by structural changes. Nor will greater ministry be advanced by a centralized leadership structure. The challenge is to strengthen the ties between our churches in regional associations and resource those regions to effectively serve our churches. The pledge of the schools is to come alongside the local church to help equip the next generation of leaders. The mission agencies renewed their dedication to sacrificially serve CB churches in the realization of their global witness.”

Following the dissolution of the task forces, the CBAmerica Board met and made significant decisions (January 28, 2004). It ratified the Mission, Vision and Values Document that was developed in concert with the Organizational Task Force and the Regional Directors. Next, it empowered the Regional Directors to develop a “new day for CBA.” Further, it resolved that in the change process, the existing uniqueness of each region, including millennial positions, would be honored. Finally, a resolution prevailed that linked CBAmerica with the CB churches in the Philippines on specific issues of Biblical inerrancy.

The CBAmerica Board of Directors met later in the year and voted to accept the recommendations of the Transitional Leadership Team, including the new paradigm of relationships, the new organizational structure, the new model of ministry, and a new National Director, Dr. Stephen LeBar (June 24, 2004).

On March 17, 2005, the Regional Directors met in Chicago, functioning as the CBAmerica Transitional Leadership Team. At this meeting a new paradigm for CBAmerica was envisioned. The new model is a Fellowship of Regions, bound together by mutual and accountable privileges and responsibilities. The Regions share core values, mission and vision. Relationships among the Directors and among the Regions are covenantal, with mutual submission to the greater good of the whole. The Regional Directors are the national coordinators of service to and among the local churches. The National CBAmerica office serves as the hub of operations and networks among the Regions. The New Purpose Statement was summarized by the following statement: CBAmerica exists to serve, resource and represent regional fellowships of Conservative Baptist churches. The New Model was summarized as church driven through Regional Ministry Hubs.

In 2008, the Board directed the REDs to continue the development of the new paradigm. It was during that process that Dr. Stephen Lebar felt led to resign.

During 2008 through 2009 the REDs met on numerous occasions to further develop the new paradigm. In January, 2010, the REDs presented the paradigm to the CBAmerica Board that included a plurality of leaders led by a team of REDS in cooperation with a catalyst. The transitional team identified to test this new paradigm included Dr. Bert Downs as Catalyst, Dr. James E. Leary as Connector, and Stan Rieb serving as Network Facilitator. 2010 served as a test period to determine if and how the new paradigm worked.

The new paradigm was officially presented, voted and approved by the board at the Winter Board Meeting in January 2011. This official recommendation served to present to our associational churches the constitutional changes necessary to formalize the new paradigm. One RED summarized the constitutional changes presented by the board in the following manner: “Men who are leading CBAmerica have sought the mind of God together and have developed a paradigm to address the dysfunctions of previous generations without having to fight about it.”

~ Part of this adaptation is based upon the HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE by Dr. Stephen LeBar, National Executive Director, CBAmerica, 2006

~ By Dr. James E. Leary, Regional Executive Director, Mission Mid-Atlantic, 2011