Transcript What is a Baptist Association?

What is a Baptist Association?
Prepared by J. K. Minton
Director of Missions
Bluebonnet Baptist Association
Definition
A Baptist association is a
>family of Southern Baptist churches
>sharing a common faith and
>partnering with one another to
>fulfill the Great Commission
>in their setting.
A family of Southern Baptist
churches
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The churches that comprise the Bluebonnet
Association are autonomous, independent, selfgoverning churches that choose to partner together
to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
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As an extended family, the churches form a
relationship of interdependence to assist each other
so that individually and corporately the churches
might be more effective in their mission and to
promote a sense of oneness and fellowship among
the churches.
Sharing a common faith

The fellowship of an association is based
upon a general harmony in faith and
practices.
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Although there may be some diversity
among individual church practices and
customs, an association is a doctrinallybased fellowship.
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
(Amos 3:3)
Partnering with one another

The association was the first form of
cooperation among Baptist churches.
 The first mission activities of Baptists were
through associations.
 The association provides a means for
churches to do a greater work together in
their setting than they can do alone.
Fulfill the Great Commission

The mission of the local church is to make
disciples of all people (Matthew 28:19-20)
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The local church has the responsibility to
fulfill this mission according to Acts 1:8:
–
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Jerusalem – church field
Judea – association area
Samaria – state/regional area
Ends of the Earth – national/international ministry
In their setting
The churches of the Bluebonnet Baptist Association
minister in a geographical setting (Central Texas area
around and between San Antonio and Austin) and share many
common conditions, challenges, and ministry
opportunities.
Mission of the Association
The MISSION of Bluebonnet Baptist Association
is to assist the cooperating churches in their
divinely appointed task of fulfilling Christ’s Great
Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Bluebonnet Baptist Association
has developed ministry priorities
to implement our mission

Strengthen Churches: assist churches so they
can be more effective in their ministry

Promote Missions: create awareness to mission
opportunities & facilitate starting new churches and
ministries

Develop Leadership: train church leaders in
administration/supervision skills, pastoral ministry,
deacon ministry, crises ministry, conflict resolution,
and planning skills

Nurture fellowship: encouraging church
leaders and members to develop personal
relationships
The association is self-governing
The association is created by the churches
and is accountable to those churches
through messengers to the annual meetings
and representatives on the executive board
who are selected and approved by the
churches.
The association is one of several Baptist
entities with which the church may partner
Bluebonnet
Baptist
Association
Baptist
General
Convention
of Texas
Southern Baptists
of Texas
Convention
Southern
Baptist
Convention
In Baptist life there is no
higher power over the
local church than God.
What are some ways our association
can assist your church?

Partner with your church in church planting/missions ventures
 Partner with your church in ministry opportunities
 Provide training opportunities for your church
leaders/committees/teams
 Partner to provide licensed, biblical counseling for church
members
 Assist to help strengthen your church ministries
 Encourage and assist your pastor/pastoral staff
 Pray for your church
 Assist your church with ministry to students at local colleges
and universities
 Facilitate disaster relief work for your church
 Coordinate building efforts for your church
What is the Bluebonnet
Baptist Association?
It is exactly what the
churches make it!
How do churches shape our
association?
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By their prayers
By their expectations
By their commitment to Kingdom principles of
church missions/ministry (Acts 1:8)
By their partnership in planting churches
By the significance they give to the role of their
messengers and executive board members
By their involvement in associational planning
By their financial support (at least 2.5% of their
undesignated receipts)

By their attitudes and actions in providing
leadership to the association
Churches make our
association a vital force for
advancing God’s Kingdom,
or
they hinder it by their lack of
support and participation.
What Can You Do?
 Faithfully
serve the Lord Jesus and
support your local church
 Discover your ministry and commit to
“Judean” ministry in partnership with
other churches through the association
(Acts 1:8)
 Investigate how the association can
assist and/or support your church
 Communicate your own needs to
associational leadership
What Can You Do?
 Participate
in associational planning
and training
 Design your church budget to support
Acts 1:8 missions responsibilities
through the association, the state
convention, and the Southern Baptist
Convention
 Pray for the Associational Leadership
Bluebonnet Baptist Association
assisting churches. . .