A Covenant of Partnership and Missional Collaboration between

Western North Carolina Baptist Network

And Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

Draft 2 – October 3, 2010

            With gratitude and appreciation for one another in our past relationship until now, Western North Carolina Baptist Network (WNCBN) and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina (CBFNC) now name a covenant of mutual support and cooperation.  We recognize that both organizations are part of a larger movement of God’s Spirit among Baptist congregations and individuals, including but not limited to the national Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.  Both organizations exist to assist congregations and individuals to participate in God’s mission in the world.

            The mutual conviction both organizations have toward their shared core values and common understanding of Baptist principles is the tie that binds us together in covenant. We recognize the autonomy of both organizations, their supporting congregations and individuals, and governance bodies.  But, we also recognize a strong mutuality in our mission that leads us to covenant together in prayer, affirmation, and partnership.

I. A COVENANT OF MUTUAL AFFIRMATION

In order to fulfill the Great Commission, the people who make up WNCBN are a network of  churches, individuals and other interested parties for the purpose of education, fellowship, missions and worship. The purpose of CBFNC is bringing Baptists of North Carolina together for Christ-centered ministry. WNCBN and CBFNC affirm the work and mission of one another.  Both organizations encourage participation in and support for the other. CBFNC affirms WNCBN as the regional expression of CBFNC in western North Carolina

II. A COVENANT OF MISSIONAL COLLABORATION

            WNCBN and CBFNC will collaborate to further God’s mission in Western North Carolina and beyond in the following ways:

• Fellowship
  • WNCBN and CBFNC will encourage churches in western North Carolina to be active participants in each entity’s fellowship and organization and will develop a common strategy to minister to existing partner churches and reach new partner churches.
  • CBFNC offers its resources to WNCBN as it plans fellowship experiences.
  • CBFNC will work with WNCBN in planning fellowship experiences in western NC.
  • WNCBN and CBFNC will jointly plan and offer at least one fellowship experience each year.
  • CBFNC will periodically hold its annual general assembly in western North Carolina, utilizing WNCBN participants on the planning team.
  • CBFNC will share its resources and expertise to assist WNCBN to communicate through various media with the individuals and churches that make up WNCBN and CBFNC as well as with the general public.
• New Church Starts
  • WNCBN and CBFNC will collaborate in planting new churches in western North Carolina through joint planning, coordination and resourcing.
• Church Life
  • CBFNC offers its resources to WNCBN as the Network provides congregational resources, including workshops, retreats, special events, etc.
  • CBFNC will work with WNCBN to provide congregational resources to churches in western NC, including workshops, retreats, special events, etc..
• Missions
  • WNCBN and CBFNC will collaborate in developing mission initiatives and ministries in Western NC.
  • CBFNC and WNCBN will work together to support the work of CBF global missions field personnel in western NC.
  • CBFNC will publicize mission opportunities in western NC to congregations in other parts of the state.
  • CBFNC will help connect individuals and congregations in western NC with mission opportunities in other parts of NC, the nation and around the globe.

III. A COVENANT OF SHARED LEADERSHIP

While recognizing the autonomy of elected leaders, staff and governance bodies of WNCBN and CBFNC, we covenant to cooperate and coordinate efforts between the leadership of WNCBN and CBFNC in the following ways:

• CBFNC will continue to include individuals from western NC in its elected leadership groups (Coordinating Council, Ministry Councils, boards, committees, task forces, etc.)
• WNCBN will invite, where appropriate, CBFNC staff and leaders to participate, as non-voting members, in meetings of WNCBN leadership meetings (Steering Committee, committees, etc.) as well as the general Gatherings of WNCBN.

            This covenant shall remain in effect for as long as it is mutually effective and beneficial for both WNCBN and CBFNC in expressing our desire for partnership in Kingdom work.

Affirmed by the WNCBN Steering Committee (assembly?) on ____________________________ and the CBFNC Coordinating Council on ________________________ .  Celebrated and signed at the CBFNC General Assembly in Asheville,, NC on March 26, 2011.

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________________________________________________________

Scott Hagaman, WNCBN Steering Committee Chairman

________________________________________________________

Steve Little, CBFNC Moderator

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The Steering Team is giving notice according to our bylaws that at our next Gathering in 2011 we will vote on the following recommendations:

I.         Change the name of the Network to “Western North Carolina Baptist Fellowship (WNCBF)” to further clarify our identity as a regional manifestation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Movement.

II.       Change the name of the “Steering Team” to “Coordinating Council” to further identify the Network with other CBF bodies and to distinguish the Steering Team from the Network’s other teams. 

These two items are bylaw changes and will require a 2/3 majority vote.  

Thank you for considering these measures.