By Hayley Beckett on 19th May 2025
EBA Council Summary 12 May 2025
EBA Trustees – with two apologies met for the EBA Council meeting on 12 March.
Lou Webber (EBA Moderator) welcomed everyone. In opening the meeting Lou read from John 10. Reminding us that our job is to follow Jesus, hear Jesus and listen to Jesus.
Richard (EBA Treasurer) presented the financial summary up to April 2025, stating that there are no surprises in the accounts and it is all as expected.
Hayley Beckett (EBA Company Secretary) brought the Administration Report which included an update on the received trustee nomination. Lou and Hayley will be meeting with the candidate later in May before names are released for the election.
David Mayne (RMTL) presented the team report, saying that there have been 3 conversations with churches who may wish to become members balanced with some more difficult situations.
At a previous meeting council had agreed to provide verbal support to Baptist Union Environment Network (BUEN) in applying for a grant to design a resource for churches linked with creation care. BUEN had responded to say that a grant had been awarded and work on the resource is starting.
Gillian Jones (EBA Safeguarding lead) had written a report for trustees. Trustees heard feedback from churches who recently had needed safeguarding advice saying how helpful and supportive Gillian had been. Trustees offered thanks to Gillian for all she adds to the life of the association.
Trustees revisited a proposal that was first tabled in 2024. This would see the creation of districts (working title) across EBA. At the AGM in 2024 and again at the minister’s conference 2025 this was shared, and time was given to input into the discussion. The team intend to work on this further with more information shared at the association days in June 2025.
Trustees plan to have some sharing and listening days at the beginning of 2026 to enable information sharing and input into future strategy. These will be spread across the association with different times of day offered along with online opportunities. Dates and times will be confirmed over the next few months and then be advertised to all churches and minsters.
Other items discussed at the meeting included an update on Claire and how the wider association can support the team whilst Claire is off work, ensuring that the remaining team does not burn out.
Other items agreed at the meeting included £1100 spend to ensure the costs are covered for the latest Magnify You programme, £250 spend to extend the license for the Youthscape Essentials volunteer youth worker training, both of these spends are in line with contributions from other associations.
The election of Jess West as a co-opted trustee for a 2 year term and the approval of Adrian Ward as deputy moderator.
Thanks were offered to the 3 trustees who will be standing down at the AGM and to Binny one of co-options as this was their last meeting.
The meeting closed in prayer.
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DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONS & MINISTERIAL FORMATION ROLE OUTLINE Introduction: The Eastern Baptist Association (EBA) is a group of 172 churches and communities drawn together from the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire. Our vision is ‘Growing healthy churches in relationship for God’s mission in the East of England’. …
