BMS
News from the BMS World Mission
BMS Council: 15 June 2024
Introduction
“What role might the messengers of today have to play in BMS’ journey towards strengthening and transforming church engagement?” said Gale Richards, member of the BMS Council, as she led an opening devotion on Acts 15: 22-35.
Gale reflected on how it was local and regional leaders in the early church who often took the good news of Jesus to the nations. In the 17th and 18th centuries, regional ministers called ‘messengers’ engaged local churches across the Baptist Union. Today, it’s local and regional ministers across the Global Church who will continue to share BMS’ vision of a world where everyone can find abundant life in Christ.
Much of this month’s meeting focussed on the question of how BMS could listen to, and engage with, churches globally and in the UK. The Council was chaired by Marc Owen, Chair of the Board of BMS Trustees, and 41 people attended, including 15 members of BMS staff. Key items included a review of church engagement in the UK, and an update on the development of a new ‘people pool’ to facilitate the sending and equipping of people in mission.
Scroll down for the following reports:
• General Director’s report
• Church engagement
• Financial review
• Staff and trustees
• People in mission
General Director’s report
“We are not looking for a radical change but for a long journey of transformation from being not only a UK-sending mission agency but also being part of a larger network supporting mission across the Global South,” said Kang-San Tan, General Director of BMS, as he summarised his article on world mission.
One question Kang-San raised in his article related to the role of the BMS council. If world mission now comes from multiple centres, then how could the BMS council include the voices and perspectives of the Global Church? He emphasised there is a need to learn from Latin American, Asian, and African churches, especially as the BMS engages with other cultures and world religions.
Church engagement
Helen Harris, Director for Communications and Fundraising, shared a presentation on the current state of church engagement in the UK. She identified a decrease in church giving, declining church attendance, and audience confusion about what BMS does as key challenges for church engagement. She also noted that is not known if the decrease in
church giving is caused by external factors, such as the cost-of-living crisis, or by things that are within BMS’ control.
Tabea Dilling, Head of Fundraising, shared an update on how BMS currently engages with churches and some recent feedback. Churches in the UK want:
• Personal relationships with mission workers.
• Authentic, lightly edited videos filmed by mission workers.
• Visits from mission workers.
• Opportunities and resources to inspire young people for mission.
• Closer relationships between BMS and Baptist Colleges.
BMS Council members then reflected on their church’s engagement with BMS, identified current barriers to church engagement and discussed opportunities for BMS to build new and better relationships with churches in the UK.
Financial review
Caroline Trimble, Director of Finance and Operations, presented the financial review for 2023. Income for 2023 was £6.9m compared to £8.1m in 2022. The main reason for this difference was the success of the Ukraine appeal in 2022. Income from other sources in 2023 increased by 4% when compared to 2022.
Expenditure in 2023 was £7.5m compared to £8.1m in 2022. Costs decreased due to BMS work being paused in some countries for reasons beyond BMS’ control. Due diligence checks on new partners also reduced costs.
Whilst the economic climate is still challenging, the finance team are confident in their overall strategy. More people are leaving gifts in their wills to BMS, and this is expected to become an important source of future income. BMS also has strong financial reserves, which will help the charity cope with unexpected financial shocks in years to come.
Staff and trustees
Marion Carson gave an update on behalf of the trustees. The trustees are implementing the changes recommended by the recent governance review. These changes include looking to appoint trustees from the Majority World and trustees with knowledge of safeguarding and international fundraising.
In 2023 trustees were asked, along with BMS staff, to adhere to a Code of Conduct. The board of trustees have also received training on charity finance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the BMS Vision and Strategy.
Nominations Committee
The nominations committee brings names of potential trustees to the BMS Council for consideration and approval. A member of nominations committee, Simeon Baker, confirmed the reappointment of Tony Agbonaseybaefe as a trustee.
Simeon also gave an update on the trustee recruitment process. The committee used to approach potential trustees through known networks. Now the nominations committee is using an open recruitment process followed by interviews to find new trustees. Six applicants for the new trustee positions were recently interviewed by members of the nominations committee. The BMS Council will vote to appoint these candidates at the next council meeting.
People in Mission
“We see all people as having diverse skills and they are in diverse places and we are called to be a blessing to the nations,” said Director for People and Culture, Heather Drury.
Heather presented plans for a new ‘people pool’, which is being piloted this year in North-East India. Mission workers and skilled volunteers can apply to join the ‘people pool’. Participants from around the globe will then be matched with relevant skills ready to be deployed.
During the pilot, learning will take place throughout the year, and partner organisations can apply to join the ‘people pool’. The ‘people pool’ will not replace the sending of long-term mission workers. However, it’s hoped that the pool will change how BMS resources people in mission by equipping and sending them from multiple centres.
BMS Council members discussed how the people pool might change how world mission is understood. Several people noted how the gifts of Christ’s Kingdom don’t exist all in one place at the same time. It was noted that here needs to be a reciprocal sharing of gifts, especially from the Majority World to the West.
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