The Central Baptist Association is one of 13 bodies that make up the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Covering the ceremonial counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire it has 150 churches with a combined membership of ca 11.000 (including Local Ecumenical Partnerships). Its aim is best summed up by its strap-line “walking together in ministry and mission”. The association has a very broad remit, that includes such things as providing pastoral care for ministers, advice to churches, guiding the settlement process, encouraging churches in their mission, providing training opportunities, encouraging networking, talking ecumenically, and offering small grants to this end etc. As such it seeks to ‘walk with’ the churches as we journey together in ministry and mission.
Churches
The CBA has 150 member churches spread across the four counties plus Milton Keynes and Luton.
Forums
The Association is divided up into 5 ‘forums’ that are geographically focused, encouraging working together and mutual support, seeking to provide a more localised expression of Baptist life. Each is locally organised and linked to a Regional Minister.
Association Team
The Regional Team consists of Geoff Colmer (Team Leader), Stephen Copson (General Secretary) and Colin Pye.
CBA Council
The Association is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee and the governing body is Association Council whose members are elected by the member churches serve as Trustees and Directors. The Council meets at least quarterly. There is an Annual Assembly incorporating the Annual General Meeting.
Annual Assembly
The Association holds an annual assembly with AGM and Keynote speaker every year. This is a wonderful opportunity for representatives from across the region to gather to share in worship, inspiration and decision making that helps give focus to the work of the association during the rest of the year.
Introducing the Association leaflet
Latest (2016) CBA DVD – click here
