Baptist Union Council: October 2024  

Baptist Union Council took place 23-24 October at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire

 
 
Scroll down for the following:

• Introduction 
• Project Violet
• Changes to Ministerial Recognition Rules 
• Mission across Baptists Together
• BUEN (Baptist Union Environment Network) 
• Financial Model Review latest
• Finance and pensions update
• New member churches, church closures, amalgamations and more
• Key Roles Nominations – and farewell to Rupert Lazar 

 

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Introduction
 
A significant time at this Council was devoted to Project Violet, the three and a half year research project investigating women’s experience of ministry.
 
Council heard about a range of ‘commitments to action’ pledged across Baptists Together in the wake of the project's requests for change. These were shared both in the agenda report and through short presentations in the Wednesday afternoon session.
 
Council members passed resolutions affirming these commitments and agreed to receive an accountability report in October 2025 highlighting progress towards them.
 
A time of lament was held on Wednesday evening for all that the research has discovered, at the end of which members approved resolutions calling all parts of Baptists Together into a season of lament from now until Assembly 2025.
 
Project co-leader Baptist minister Jane Day (pictured with fellow co-leader Helen Cameron), said the time for action had come – and expressed her hope change would follow.
 
‘The research is over, the commitments have been made - let the action begin,’ Jane said.
 
‘Project Violet has taken us beyond a pastoral response to the injustices reported in the findings of the research.
 
'These Commitments to Action offer real hope of systemic change that is rooted in an inter-sectional understanding of the reality of women ministers’ lives.’
 
Council members also approved a series of changes to the Ministerial Recognition (MR) rules, with several concerning ministerial discipline. 
 
A session was devoted to mission to reflect on and hear about how God is moving across Baptists Together. 
 
Dave Gregory, convenor of the Baptist Union Environment Network (BUEN), led members in reflecting on our response to the environmental and climate crisis. 
 
There were also financial updates, including the latest on the Financial Model Review, while Council said goodbye to long serving member Rupert Lazar, after the nomination of Barbara Carpenter to replace him as moderator of the Key Roles Nominations Committee was approved.
 
Council moderator Seidel Abel Boanerges led reflections at the start of each day, preaching on John 10: 1-10 on Wednesday, and John 10:11-19 on Thursday. Sung worship was led by Ministries Team co-leader Tim Fergusson, and communion was served to close the formal proceedings on Thursday.
 
 

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Project Violet
 
Project Violet’s findings were published in May, and featured 57 requests for change. All across Baptist life were subsequently invited to pledge commitments to action in response to these requests.
 
These commitments were compiled and presented to Council as part of the agenda papers. Because so many commitments had been made, this document was almost 400 pages. The full Commitment to Action report can now be accessed here.
 
They include commitments from all thirteen regional associations, five Baptist colleges, Specialist Teams as well as the networks and forums that make up Baptist life. Local churches from across the Union had also responded.
 
In addition to the Commitment to Action report, representatives of the different parts of Baptist life were invited to share with Council members how they are responding. ‘Project Violet has been participatory, and we will continue in that vein,' explained Project co-leader Jane Day. 

The respondents included Charmaine Mhlanga (a co-researcher); Matt Nott, a local Baptist minister; Craig Millward (Disability Justice Hub); Lisa Kerry (Magnify You); Craig Gardiner and Anthony Clarke (colleges); Linda Donaldson and Carl Smethurst (Associations); Diane Watts and Mike Lowe (Faith and Society Team); Tim Fergusson (Ministries Team); and Lynn Green (General Secretary).


  
Lisa noted that having been a beneficiary of the Magnify You development programme for Baptist women in leadership, she and two other regional ministers (Claire Blatchford, Eastern Baptist Association; and Mary Moody, Central Baptist Association) were relaunching it. It will take place with Associations next year.
 
Lisa also presented Jane and fellow co-leader Helen Cameron with art painted by retired Baptist minister Neil Whitmill at the recent CBA conference. She shared Neil’s explanation, which included these lines:
 
The painting depicts a woman moving one way whilst glancing back in the other direction.

As a black woman she is symbolic of those who are discriminated against based on gender, ethnicity, religion, ability or any other ‘random’ reason.

She is tall and elegant, painted mainly in yellow representing HOPE.
 
The grace and positivity of the woman are meant to portray the recognition that none of the things of the past define or hold a person from being who they are destined to be in the purposes of God.
 
 
Following this, Council members were invited to discuss their own response to the findings with two others in the room. They were asked to reflect on these questions:
 

• Name the most significant action you are taking
• What is going to stop you doing it?
• What support do you need?
• Who are your allies in making it happen? 

Accountability is a key aspect of what happens next, and members were also invited to reflect on these two questions:

• How do I wish to be held to account?
• And what part can I play in holding others to account? 

 
Council overwhelmingly passed the following two resolutions relating to the report. 
 
These were:

• Council receives and affirms Project Violet Commitments to Action Report
• Council agrees to receive an accountability Report in October 2025 reporting on progress towards the commitments to action 

Both passed with one abstention. 
 
Jane highlighted several developments and events moving forward. These included the reopening of the ‘Mosaic Phase’ – earlier in the project all women ministers had been invited to contribute a written reflection of their experience and the questions that matter to them. This had led to 50 reflections, but since the findings were released in May, several more women had come forward to express both pain and joy.
 
This phase will now be open until the 2025 Baptist Assembly. The pieces will be stored at the Angus Library, not to be opened for 30 years. 
 
‘This is a historic moment,’ said Helen Cameron, project co-leader, ‘never before has the Baptist archive had such a concentration of stories from women.’
 
Jane also highlighted how male Baptist ministers can pledge to be allies – and there is a section on the Project Violet website to make a public commitment. Here white ministers can also commit to being an ally of Black and Brown ministers.
 


General Secretary Lynn Green noted this was the last formal opportunity to thank Helen, and praised her spirituality, research skills - and objectivity.
 
‘As ministers we have the immense privilege of walking in others’ pain. And you have walked in our pain,’ Lynn said.
 
‘You’ve seen us, and helped us to see ourselves.’


 
One of the requests for change (57) is that Council calls the Baptists Together movement to prayer, and in the evening session Lynn led an hour long time of lament for all that the research has discovered. She was supported by President Steve Finamore and Faith and Society Team Leader Diane Watts. 
 
This resulted in three resolutions, all of which were overwhelmingly passed (though it was noted around one quarter of members weren’t present):
 

• Baptist Union Council calls all parts of Baptists Together into a period of lament from this Council until Assembly 2025
• Council welcomes the offering of prayers, liturgy, poetry, song and art and other creative approaches to help us express our lament in this period
• At Assembly 2025 we will hear feedback and reflect on what we have learned 

 
For more, see: Project Violet: Council affirms commitments to action 
 

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Changes to Ministerial Recognition rules
 
A series of changes to the Ministerial Recognition (MR) rules were approved by Council members, with several concerning ministerial discipline. 
 
One key development is the name of a minister who loses their accreditation for gross misconduct or for safeguarding reasons will now be published.
 
In addition, a new disciplinary category of “Conduct incompatible with being an Accredited Minister” has also been introduced to the MR rules. This would not result in the publication of the minister's name.  
 
In their briefing paper, Ministries Team Co-leaders Tim Fergusson and Lee Johnson explained this change enables the Baptist Union to distinguish between:
 

• behaviour which would widely be considered unacceptable for those entrusted with the care of others, whether within or beyond the Church – ‘gross misconduct’  

and

• behaviour that may not necessarily be deemed contrary to the standards of wider society, but which is contrary to the expectations for those accredited by BUGB – ‘conduct incompatible with being an Accredited Minister’.

 
'The primary driver for this change is so the Baptist Union may determine which ministers’ names are published,' the briefing paper stated.
 
Members had been informed of these possible changes to the MR rules during the March 2024 gathering - and why the Baptist Union had been advised to publish names of Baptist ministers removed from the accreditation list.  
 
Then it had been explained how BUGB had sought legal counsel regarding the MR rules and the risk of challenge from accredited ministers whose accreditation is removed. 
 
As part of this it had been advised it was appropriate to consider the publication of the names of Baptist ministers whose accreditation had been removed for gross misconduct or for safeguarding reasons. There is a societal expectation that ‘charitable bodies, including those in the faith sector, share information and are transparent about their processes regarding those who may pose an ongoing risk if placed again in a position of trust,’ the March briefing paper stated.
 
Council members were told each decision to publish a name will need to be assessed individually, and that publishing names will necessitate the likely introduction of a new category called 'conduct incompatible with being an Accredited Minister'.
 
This would cover behaviours listed ‘as examples of gross misconduct in the MR Rules that wider society would not necessarily deem to be unacceptable for a person in a position of trust, but are incompatible with being a Baptist minister.’
 
 The new rules have the following definition for Gross Misconduct:
 
'Gross misconduct is conduct that is likely to prejudice seriously the Baptist Union’s work and reputation or damage irreparably the trust and confidence placed in the Accredited Minister as one holding a position of trust in society. It denotes behaviour that is not acceptable for those entrusted with the care of others, whether within or beyond the Church.'
 
Examples include violent, abusive or bullying behaviour; domestic abuse, fraud and theft, grooming of others with a view to improper conduct, or harassment. A new example was included: 'Sexual misconduct, i.e. actions which are of a sexual nature or are sexually motivated, that are unwanted or non-consensual, or where there is an abuse of the Minister’s power or position.'
 
The MR Rules now contain examples of behaviour or practice that would normally be regarded as conduct incompatible with being an Accredited Minister.
 
These include:

• Bringing the cause of the Gospel or the Baptist Union into serious disrepute.
• Deliberate accessing of legal pornography.
• Sexual conduct which is contrary to the agreed beliefs of the Baptist Union, provided it does not also meet the examples of gross misconduct in section 4.4. 

Tim addressed concerns raised by some Council members, including the danger that the new category could ‘punish people for who they are; not what they do.’ 
 
He also said the support offered for those removed from the list would be looked at.  
 
Council members approved a further change to the MR Rules concerning ministerial discipline. This related to making clear that ministers’ conduct in online and social media spaces is also subject to the MR Rules. 
 
This change was made in direct response to Project Violet request R10: ‘Amend MRC rules to include language and behaviour on social media.’
 
Another change came in Section 4.5 of the MR Rules. The requirement for ministers to undertake “regular equality and diversity training” was replaced with the broader requirement to undertake “all mandatory training that is set by the Committee from time to time.”
 
'We do not anticipate that MRC will set mandatory training very often – perhaps this would be at most an annual module,' the briefing paper stated. 'However, we feel that to maintain the credibility and fitness for ministry for those BUGB accredit, occasional mandatory training would be wise. This may or may not be related to equality and diversity.'
 
There were changes too in Appendix 1, to clarify how 'MRC expects ministers with a portfolio ministry, who are seconded, or who are without portfolio, to express the covenant between themselves and BUGB.'
 
'These changes are aimed at strengthening the connection and accountability for ministers in situations where it is easy to lose contact with the wider Baptist family,' explained the briefing paper. 
 

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Mission across Baptists Together
 
Mission was the focus of the late afternoon session on Wednesday. 
 
It was presented by Diane Watts, Faith and Society Team Leader, and Public Issues Enabler Steve Tinning. Steve explained he was here in his capacity as a member of Mission Forum.
 
This was an opportunity to reflect together on mission, explained Diane. ‘So much of what we’re doing today is to pick up the threads of mission. 
 
‘I’m wanting to invite that discerning space – and pull together some of those threads. What Council might like to say to Baptists Together about mission?
 
‘What might God be saying to us that we might want to share more widely?’
 
Council had reflected on mission on a consistent basis in recent years – and three threads had repeatedly emerged. These were:

• Planting new churches and releasing pioneers
• Churches serving their local communities, particularly the poor and the marginalised
• God has been at work in ways that have surprised us 

Diane invited Council members to reflect on each of these areas. 
 
‘Where have you seen God at work in your context in these three ways? Do these resonate?’
 
Following this reflection, members were invited to share responses in plenary.
 
Those who spoke highlighted how children had been leading families to come to church; how in a pioneering setting the local community had rallied round to support a minister with cancer; how a traditional church had appointed a pioneer, not simply someone to look after the congregation; and how a larger church had resourced a nearby struggling church, which was now beginning to see some fruit. 
 
Steve spoke about Mission Forum, its purpose and what it had been hearing. Mission Forum meets twice a year with representatives of different Associations and colleges, and ensures conversation, deliberation, discernment and resourcing of mission is effectively maintained.
 
He highlighted a quote from Everton Jackson of the Baptist World Alliance, who had addressed Mission Forum in 2021. 

“Mission is essentially integrated, affirming one at the same time evangelism and Christian social action while admitting to the centrality of evangelism, rather than its priority.

"This means that we have been incorporated into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit to carry out God's Mission by growing the church through evangelism and discipleship, by being in the service of the world through compassion and justice, and the environment through creation care." 
 

Dr Jackson’s talk unpacked how a huge number of Baptist communities are developing in some of the most vulnerable places in the world. The challenges these communities face, which includes an increase in migrant communities, 'must be embraced as opportunities for greater mission and collaboration,' he had explained.
 
Steve said this integration captured what Mission Forum had been seeing. The forum had been addressed by Project Violet, and by numerous people in different contexts talking about migration and hospitality, and the support of asylum seekers and refugees.
 
A constant, recurring theme for Mission Forum has also centred around church planting and pioneering, continued Steve. From this and other conversations around Baptists Together, Everyone Everywhere has emerged.
 
Steve mentioned how people who had been invited to lead an opening reflection at recent Mission Forum gatherings had all – unbeknownst to each other – highlighted weather phenomenon that has changed the landscape. This has caused those who live there to rethink how they navigate the new surroundings.
 
'And each time, we were encouraged to consider how the landscape around us has changed in recent years,' said Steve.
 
He asked Council to consider: ‘In the light of all this, what might God be saying to the churches in our Baptist family? Concerning what God is doing in us, and through us; concerning what that might mean for our churches’ future missional priorities? And how do we communicate that?’
 
Members gathered in small groups on tables, and shared responses on post it notes that were subsequently placed on boards around the room.
 
Here are some of the comments:
 
'God is sovereign. He is building His Church. Authentic leadership lets him.'
 
'Authenticity and churches being confident in their specific calling'
 
'Support with social housing; Renew Wellbeing cafes/community cafes; crafts & coffee/knit & natter; access to Citizen's Advice; food banks; warm hubs; cookery lessons'
 
'The affordable food pantry has been very successful and has helped a church engage with their community'
 
'Small churches bring a great deal to their communities, showing that they care'
 
'People coming to faith with no church background and being baptised'
 
'Stories of baptisms are great - but this can skew the picture of what is success. Our default is numbers down. How do we equally share stories of struggle, places where there is no church, the small, vulnerable stories too?'
 
'Do not be insular, work with others'
 
'We are all pioneering in a changed world'
 
'Pioneers and community ministry - reframed as link missionaries'
 
'We need to go out and meet people where they are - gone are the days where we expect people to come to church'
 
'Stop overthinking about the how's, where's, when, what... Just be there for them. "Listen" '
 
'Challenged by new experiences of spirituality of older, faithful Christians'
 
'Reverse mission - missionaries coming to the UK'
 
'Folk leading themselves into relationship with Jesus without church links'
 
'Growth is happening where relationships are being nurtured'
 
'Social entrepreneurism is bearing fruit'
 

 

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Baptist Union Environment Network (BUEN)
 
It’s been four years since the launch of the Baptist Union Environment Network (BUEN). On Thursday morning its convenor Dave Gregory – whose Baptist Union presidency in 2018-19 had a creation theme – shared how BUEN had raised the issue of the environmental and climate crisis among Baptists Together, and looked ahead to how we can deepen and widen our engagement with the Bible's primary call to mission to share in God's care for creation.
 
Dave highlighted some of the ways BUEN had worked. It has been at the Baptist Assembly; running seminars and encouraging people to engage in nature as a place to see God.
 
BUEN had encouraged Council to support a resolution in 2021 that saw the Baptist Union fully divest from fossil fuels. (This was ‘good’, noted Dave – ‘but we could go deeper.' He asked whether our pensions and investments held by Associations were divested?)
 
BUEN had sought to work regionally, which had resulted in six active hubs. These are learning communities, meeting a couple of times a year. 
 
BUEN had engaged with all aspects of Baptist life, including the colleges and Everyone Everywhere mission initiative, where Dave had led a seminar at the recent conference. Forest Church and Wild Church are ways of connecting with people, he said. It had also produced some resources, including the God Saw That It Was Good films and journeyed with BMS, particularly its Creation Steward Co-ordinator Laura-Lee Lovering. BMS has reduced its carbon footprint by 20 per cent in recent years.
 
Dave also addressed issues BUEN had faced. Some have told him that creation care is not a core part of our DNA.
 
However, it’s actually ‘the primary call to mission’ in the Bible, he said, referencing Genesis 2:15. ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.’ He also highlighted Mark 16:15 ‘He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’
 
For some there is a ‘hesitation’ about whether global warming is actually happening. 
 
‘We still get this,’ said Dave. ‘But I’ve been working on this since the 1990s – it’s not a myth. What we were predicting in 1990s has come to pass.’ (Dave was a scientist before training for Baptist ministry).
 
He said the network has become weaker – the aforementioned hubs have become difficult to maintain, with all being run by volunteers. He added that BUEN as a network has failed to adequately engage with children, young people and Black churches. ‘For all this, I’m sorry,’ he told members. 
 
Dave invited frequent participation from Council members. 
 
He noted that Baptist life is ‘incredibly crowded’ – so he asked members what they had noticed about BUEN.
 
He invited members to reflect on what they had noticed in the last six months in terms of the environmental crisis. Every week there are multiple stories in our newsfeeds.
 
To conclude he asked them: ‘How can we go deeper in sharing God’s mission to creation?’
 
Several noted how it needs to be addressed and understood theologically as a core identity of mission, and how vital an issue it is for young people. Others stated some churches are just surviving: how can BUEN help us find a way of raising awareness that’s just not going to add to our to-do-lists?
 
The issue of resourcing BUEN’s work was highlighted. How can this be a key area if we are not investing in it? We had seen earlier in Council the impact of strategic investment in the form of Project Violet.  
 
On this latter point, Dave agreed. He listed areas of focus moving forward. We need to take seriously net zero; to talk seriously about environmental policies; to talk about eco-discipleship (“eco Alpha”); to provide good advice for our buildings.
 
‘If you want it to go wider and deeper, you need to find some money,’ he told members.

'I have been told there is no money. But we find money for what is important. Project Violet. Everyone, Everywhere.  And that is right for these are important.  Environmental mission is also important.

‘Money is where the heart is. It’s not another programme – it’s about investing it into our hearts as Christians, as Baptist disciples of Jesus.’
 

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Financial Model Review latest
 
Chris Jones, Support Services Team Leader, gave an update on the Financial Model Review. At the specially convened Council in June, Council members agreed four resolutions related to the FMR, with a view to moving Baptists Together to a ‘financially sustainable way of working across the Baptist family’ by 2028.  
 
In his briefing paper, Chris noted what while it is early days, we are currently operating within the agreed timeline. During his presentation, Chris explained this had slipped just a little in one area. Namely, the one-year support fund. The principle for this remains solid, but the mechanism for how this is put in place is being reviewed in light of appreciated feedback.
 
There had been constructive discussions with Associations regarding the one-year support fund, and 'a clear picture of which Associations can sensibly contribute' to it has developed. The Support Fund would be available in 2025 to enable 'our most financially stressed Associations to function throughout 2025 without becoming destabilised.'
 
The review of BUGB’s costs and investment income has progressed. This had included changing the way our investments are managed, resulting in an increase in income of around £93k by June 2024. 
 
Rentals at Baptist House are now at 97 per cent, up from 82 percent in June 2023 and 84 per cent in June 2024. There is potential interest in the unrented three per cent of Baptist House as things stand, but one tenant is leaving at the end of December 2024. Income generated at Baptist House is shared with BMS.
 
The terms of reference for the Financial Sustainability Working Group (“FSWG”) have begun to be drafted, with 'considerable help' from Mark Spriggs (BUGB Trustee). There had also been various conversations regarding the make-up of the FSWG. The only 'significant concern' here is finding people under 35. 
 
Chris said it would be great to have someone in that age bracket with one of the following skills – finance, marketing, organisational change or legal – and asked members for their help.
 
The plan is that the FSWG is established in November. 
 
Legal advice has shown that the future Finance Agreement, which will replace Home Mission Byelaws in 2026, will need to be a Service Level Agreement which reflects our covenant. 
 
A brief on '‘accelerating our digital engagement' had been developed (with our Trustees) and passed to the Digital Round Table for consideration. 
 
Chris's paper also stated he had worked closely with the Core Leadership Team (CLT) regarding aspirations, concerns, and questions on five key areas connected to the FMR. 
 
These areas were:

• The brief for the Digital Round Table.
• The make up of the Financial Sustainability Working Group (FSWG).
• The future Finance Agreement.
• The Income Generation Enabling Team.
• The future funding of trans-local initiatives.

Andrew Cowley, moderator of BUGB Trustees, spoke to emphasise the ‘amazing amount of work’ Chris and his team had done in the last few months. ‘As trustees we want to thank them,’ he said.
 

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Finance update
 
We anticipate being in a ‘slightly better financial position than what we had budgeted for’, said Support Services Team Leader Chris Jones. This is due to slightly higher than expected income, and lower than expected expenditure than last year. Nevertheless we still anticipate a small deficit in 2024, but clawback looks unlikely at this stage.
 
Home Mission income and expenditure are both broadly in line with the budgeted figures.
 
Chris asked all present to take any opportunity to encourage churches to give to Home Mission in the final quarter of the year. While giving to Home Mission at this stage is broadly similar to the previous year, a significant percentage always comes during this final quarter. This point was subsequently repeated by General Secretary Lynn Green, who urged each Council member to play their part in encouraging giving to Home Mission so that our shared mission can thrive.
 
Treasurer Mohan Pandian also addressed Council, informing them the Baptist Union Corporation has had to suspend its one year fixed deposit scheme due to changes in interest rates, and that subscriptions in 2025 will increase to £5.60 per member.
 
He also mentioned how the Retired Baptist Ministers Housing Organisation (RBMHO) had started a period of refurbishment to upgrade its portfolio of properties, ensuring each one is in line with the latest requirements. This work will be ongoing for several years.
 
 
Pensions
 
Matters in relation to the pension scheme are ‘progressing positively’, said Chris in his briefing paper. 
 
The DB Plan benefits will shortly be transferred over to the new scheme provider, Just. Members will then receive welcome packs and individual policies from Just. This part of the process is known as moving to “buy-out”.  Just will then be responsible for the administration and payment of the DB Plan members’ pensions.
 
It is estimated that the DB Scheme has a surplus. As a result, employers' £1 per month contributions to the DB Plan will cease after the October contribution and employers will no longer have responsibility towards the DB Plan. Up to 50 per cent of the surplus assets will be used to enhance members’ benefits and the remainder will be transferred to the Scheme’s DC Plan. 
 
The 50 per cent used to enhance members’ benefits will be applied to all pensions that were in payment on 1 January 2023. Those pensions received an increase on 1 January 2023 that was lower than the high levels of inflation seen in the UK at the time. ‘The additional increase will go some way to address this,’ explained Chris.
 
There are several tasks to complete before the DB Plan can be wound-up, with the ‘current expectation’ that this will be completed in the first half of 2025.
 

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New member churches and church closures
 
Two churches which have joined our Union were welcomed and prayed for, while members were also informed of two church closures, one amalgamation and two church name changes. 
 
Two new churches are Cornerstone Church in Kings Cross, (London Baptists), and All Nations Church in Fir Vale, Sheffield (Yorkshire Baptist Association). 
 
Short videos were shown to introduce both congregations. 
 
Cornerstone Church is a multi generational French and English speaking community in the heart of North London.
 
Its roots date to 2005 when minister, Pastor Patience Mbakadi joined King's Cross Baptist Church as a member and then became the pastor of a French speaking congregation in the church two years later.
 
In May 2023 it was decided that the French speaking congregation should separate and become its own ministry - and Cornerstone Baptist Church was born. It has joined the Baptist Union because it began life in a Baptist church. It celebrated its first ever service in a new home in North London and has been steadily growing our community ever since.
 
The church submitted the following prayer requests to Council members:  
 
'Cornerstone Church humbly asks for your prayers for God's guidance as we establish our roots as a new ministry; for favour and courage as we continue to reach out to lost souls; and for wisdom and truth to inspire the next generation of believers.'
 
All Nations Church was planted in 2022 in the culturally diverse community of Fir Vale. It emerged from an Eden team that had been living in Fir Vale since 2011 The congregation reflects this diversity, worshipping in different languages. 
 
'We have joined the Baptist Union because we see the Baptist family as our place of belonging in the wider body of Christ,' explained pastor Gareth Ingle. 'It feels like a natural fit for us, both relationally and ecclesiologically. Our sending church is an Anglican/Baptist LEP, and we were clear from the start that our intention was always to plant a Baptist church. 
 
'The Yorkshire Baptist Association has been instrumental in providing vital encouragement and prayer support during the planting process.'
 
He added, 'We only have one simple prayer request: people from every nation in Fir Vale to become disciples of Jesus!' 
 
Council members were informed of two closures: 

• The Crescent Baptist Church, Walsall (HEBA) 
• Cornerstone Baptist Church (HEBA) 

 
There was one amalgamation:

• Crawley Green Fields Baptist Church and Crawley Baptist Church have amalgamated to form Crawley Baptist Church (SEBA)

 
There were also two name changes:

• Pentecost Baptist Church to Zion Baptist Church (LB) 
• Quaystone Christian Church to Crossharbour Community Church (LB) 

 
Council moderator Seidel Abel Boanerges prayed for all the churches listed, including the members of those which have closed.  
 

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Key Roles Nominations Team
 
Rupert Lazar presented his last ever report as moderator of the Baptists Together Key Roles Nominations Team. Rupert has led the team since it was reconfigured following the Futures Process in 2012. 
 
Futures agreed that Council would be “the body that is representative of the churches through their Associations and Colleges and where the full diversity of the denomination can and should be fully expressed”.  The Key Roles Nominations Team serves Council by discerning and nominating those called to key leadership roles, and is intentional in its consideration of diversity.
 
The team has been looking for a successor to Rupert for some time, and at this Council it was able to commend the Revd Barbara Carpenter (pictured) to serve as the team’s moderator for a three year term.
 
Barbara, a Baptist minister and former Council member and BUGB Trustee, is currently working for the NHS in the Devon Wellbeing Hub, supporting staff in the NHS and Social Care across the whole of Devon
 
She explained how she felt God had nudged her to serve. 
 
‘Looking back at my ministry this far I can see that there have been experiences that have needed and developed some of the gifts and skills that would be helpful in this role. For example, I’ve been involved in interviewing and discerning people’s calls to ministry and to certain roles in several different settings and I have also had to have the difficult conversations with people when the answer has been ‘no’ or ‘not yet’.
 
‘I really valued my time as a member of Council and as a Union Trustee and I was really glad to contribute to the life of Baptists Together in both of those roles; this role would build on those experiences and on some of the connections I made during that time.’
 
The commendation was duly approved overwhelmingly. 
 
The approval meant this became Rupert’s last Council. On Thursday morning he was thanked by Seidel Abel Boanerges, and prayed for by President Steve Finamore and General Secretary Lynn Green. ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed this space over more than 20 years,’ Rupert said.  


 
This was also the last Council for ecumenical representative John Holbrook, who was also thanked and prayed for. ‘It’s been a joy to walk beside you, he said. ‘One of the joys of my life for the last 10 years.’