Baptist Assembly 2013 Opens
The Revds Jonathan Edwards and David Kerrigan at The Baptist Assembly have the opportunity to appoint the Revd Lynn Green as the next general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain
Ms Green, currently a regional minister with the Southern Counties Baptist Association, was revealed on the opening night of this year's Baptist
Assembly as the nomination for the next general secretary.
It will be brought to the Annual General Meeting on Saturday morning, when delegates will vote. If accepted, she will be the first female general secretary of our Union.
Earlier on Friday members of Baptist Union Council unanimously approved the nomination, which had been brought by the General Secretary Nominating Committee. Visit The Baptist Times on Saturday for a report of the AGM.
Elsewhere on a packed opening night, delegates were welcomed by the Revd Jonathan Edwards, current BUGB general secretary, and the Revd David Kerrigan, general director of BMS World Mission.
This year's Assembly theme is "Like Stars in the Universe", which is taken from Paul's letter to the Philippians. Throughout Assembly delegates will hear the call to reclaim the challenging
message of Philippians for today's church.
Mr Kerrigan said that Paul doesn't use this phrase as an aspiration, 'he presumes it'. He explained the theme had been chosen having heard the conversations in the life of the Union about the centrality of local church in mission.
The Revd Chris Duffett Outgoing president the Revd Chris Duffett was thanked by Mr Edwards for his presidential year, during which he visited each
Association to encourage people to be 'big hearted' about sharing the gospel. A film was played revealing that 4,000 people had been trained by Chris throughout the Big Hearted Tour, and 1,500 had shared their faith on the streets.
He said it had been 'such an honour to share my heart' throughout the Union, adding that many had shared their faith for the first time.
The Revd Ernie Whalley was sworn in as the BUGB president for 2013-14. He has prepared Bible studies on the book of Philippians, and said he wants to make 'Christ-centred mission our priority'. Visit here for a report on his address.
The offering was taken for the Fisherman's Mission, which is the only charity focusing on fishermen and providing support and pastoral care for both active and retired fishermen, their widows and families.
Its welfare office is based in Trinity Baptist Church, Fleetwood and the minister, George Ayoma, supported by BUGB Home Mission, is also Superintendent of the mission for the whole of the north west.
This year's gathering is the 200th anniversary of the first assembly of Baptists.
The Revd Malcolm Duncan, lead pastor at Gold Hill Baptist Church and the founder and director of Church and Community; the Revd Joe Kapolyo, lead minister of Edmonton Baptist Church; the Revd David Kerrigan, general director of BMS and the Revd Dianne Tidball, regional team leader, East Midlands Baptist Association are among the main speakers.
Other highlights include the recognition of 83 ministers as they are transferred to the fully accredited list and the valediction of several new long-term mission workers and their families as they prepare to leave for their new ministries overseas, in several locations including Mozambique.