BUW’s Honorary Legal Counsel, Iwan Davies, tells us about exciting plans afoot to establish new regional Charitable Incorporated Organisations across Wales focusing on mission…
The Baptist Union of Wales is working on establishing new regional Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) across Wales. These four or five CIOs will provide a robust legal framework to tackle the challenges highlighted in the 2041 Report particularly in employment, finance, and property matters at Association level. This initiative aims to better equip us as Baptists in Wales for contemporary Christian mission. In so doing we are encouraged by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians 4:12, “He did this to prepare his people for good works, so that the body of Christ can be built up”.
Each CIO’s Constitution will encapsulate the identity and convictions of the Welsh Baptist family, built on the Christian faith as expressed in historic Baptist discernment and principles. These constitutions will include plans for ministry and mission, encouraging churches to work together, supporting local church activities, organising worship, providing religious education, pastoral care, outreach, community service, and other charitable efforts that reflect mission in our contemporary context.
A mission roadmap will be an essential element in the work of these new, regional CIOs. The focus must be upon working with and between Associations, churches and the wider Baptist community, fostering growth and unity of Gospel engagement. We will need to form teams, set objectives and work together for “clear gain” which was historically the principle adopted by Baptist Associations in Wales for any new initiative.
Over the coming months, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, regional CIOs will engage in various areas of mission planning. This will involve at the regional level deliberate work to identify what we are currently doing; our plans are for the next few years; what resources are needed to assist and the sort of fruit we are working towards. In this planning process we can learn from each other and share ideas for our mission roadmap. As we develop this at a regional level, we will look to:
· Assemble teams of dedicated, diverse individuals who can bring unique perspectives to the table.
· Chart regional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
· Direct work to support the CIO and implement a regionally focussed mission strategy.
In championing this work we are looking in faith beyond the data projections in the 2041 Report. Our response to the data charting numerical decline is to build up unity of purpose in the task of celebrating our role as disciples and ambassadors of Christ and His church. We are called to tell our story with confidence and to equip ourselves further for Christian outreach, mission and service. New structures fit for the 21st century can aid us as churches and believers in this high calling.
Above all we are called to prayer, as individuals, churches and Associations, in everything we do to build up the Kingdom as we continue to share the joy of knowing Jesus and His Gospel.