Presidential nominations now open 

Nominations are now open for the person who will serve as Baptist Union President in 2016-17

Current President Chris Ellis

This is the first time nominations have been open for two years, and the first time they can be made online.

The role has been reviewed to reflect changes in Baptist life in recent years. For instance, a key part of any future President’s role is to lead the Accompanying Group to the Baptist Steering Group (BSG). This provides prayer support and shares in spiritual and missional reflection with BSG, and acts as ‘critical friends’ bringing perspectives from beyond the BSG. The President’s role as part of this group will be in bringing insights from their presidential travels as well as their own particular experience and expertise.

More generally the President’s main role is as a communicator/facilitator of our Union’s vision and mission. They will need to undertake to travel around our Union, engaging with local churches, regional Associations and Colleges as appropriate. 

There will also be occasions when the President will provide a symbol or focus for unity of our Union, and as such will represent the Union at various civic and ecumenical events.  There may be some involvement in the annual Assembly, and the President may be invited by BMS World Mission to visit some of their work overseas.

The deadline for nominations is 31 December, which can be made online. Voting will then take place between 31 January and 31 March.

The current President is the Revd Dr Chris Ellis. He will be succeeded by the Revd Jenni Entrican at next year’s Baptist Assembly.