By Hayley Beckett on 14th June 2023
Report from EBA Council May 2023
The meeting was held on Zoom, all trustees were present, and we began with a time of open prayer.
Binny Jaichander, a deacon from Braintree Baptist church, had shown an interest in being on the trustee board and had attended the council as an observer for the last two meetings.
Council members voted unanimously to co-opt Binny onto Council for a two-year term.
The Secretary reminded the Council that we now have a total of 3 co-opted members out of a possible 5 allowed within our constitution.
The Home Mission Resilience Task Group has been formed and their first meeting is planned for early June.
Letters were received from Churches for discussion and prayer. The council’s response will be drawn up by appointed trustees and sent to the respective churches. We paused to pray for each of the churches and all concerned.
Richard (EBA Treasurer) gave an update regarding our Finances reporting that the Association is on the expected trajectory for this coming year as forecast. Income continues to fall. This made February and March particularly challenging with the “clawback” (a percentage of expected income not received because the Home Mission National appeal did not reach its target for 2022 so the funds were not available to be given).
Council discussed Home Mission in depth, and its importance within the EBA and wider Baptist Family. The EBA website has a reminder of what Home Mission is and a link to a helpful video: https://www.easternbaptist.org.uk/home-mission/what-is-home-mission/.
Richard and the Admin and Finance Team brought four proposals for consideration. These were approved by the council and will be explained at the AGM to members. One of the proposals included changing the heading “Home Mission Grants” to “Grants for Mission and Ministry” the new name will take effect at the start of the next round of applications later this year. The name change does not affect the process by which grants are applied for but better reflects the fact that there are two distinct purposes for Home Mission Income.
Reports were heard from the Regional Staff Team.
Council members discussed the upcoming annual Gathering/AGM in September and discussed the possibility of it being a hybrid event that may include the induction service for the new Regional Minister Team Leader (if one has been appointed). The date is 30 September 2023 to be held at Colchester Road Baptist Church, Ipswich.
Finally council members were reminded to continue praying for the search for a new team Leader, for applicants as they apply, and for the discernment of the interview panel.
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