American Baptist Churches USA

THE MINISTERS COUNCIL MISSION STATEMENT
The Ministers Council is an autonomous, professional, multi-cultural organization of ordained, commissioned and lay Christian leaders within the American Baptist Churches, U.S.A. We are women and men who advocate for and covenant with each other to deepen our spiritual journey and to increase our effectiveness, as persons who are accepting the call of God and church for the advancement of the mission of the church of Jesus Christ.

What is the Ministers Council?

The Ministers Council is an autonomous, professional, multi-cultural organization of ordained, commissioned and lay Christian leaders within the American Baptist Churches, USA. We are women and men who advocate for and covenant with each other to deepen our spiritual journey and to increase our effectiveness, as persons who are accepting the call of God and church for the advancement of the Gospel mission of the church of Jesus Christ.

To that end, some projects recently developed or in process through Ministers Council Senate include a pastoral relations committee training video (ready by fall of 1999), a newly revised compensation workbook for self-advocacy, a congregational code of ethics to parallel the Ministers Council Covenant and Code of Ethics for ministerial leaders, a ministerial well-being study to inform individuals, regions and national entities of our perceived issues and needs, an ongoing bi vocational networking project with a newsletter available to you by calling the office, and resources on church staff job descriptions and personnel policies, sabbaticals and pulpit exchanges, and retirement.

 In recent years, we have produced a video dialogue between Manfred Brauch and Bill Hertzog on biblical interpretation and homosexuality (available from the office), and have sponsored a dialogue between members of the executive committees of the American Baptist Evangelicals and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. Participants issued a joint press release that they "are hopeful that the spirit of mutual respect and understanding which was felt in these conversations will continue. We request continued prayers for God's leading in the life and ministry of our denomination."

In addition, the Ministers Council represents you and is your voice on various denominational bodies: the General Board and its Executive Committee, the General Executive Council, the Ministerial Leadership Commission (national and sectionals), the Committee on Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors, the Small Church Team, the National Continuing Education Team, the American Baptist Quarterly Advisory Council, Renewed for Mission Executive Committee, and numerous planning committees such as the Living Worship Convocation, Orientation to ABC Life Conferences, the regional and national staff gathering on Sabbath in 2000, the interim funding campaign for New Christians, New Churches, New Century, and the Mission Resources Review Committee.

If you would like to suggest a project, discuss a concern, or discover how to become a member of your regional and national Ministers Council, please contact the office through one of the representatives below.

ABC of the Dakotas
 2005-2006 Minister's Council Representatives