What is a Baptist Association

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What is a Baptist Association?

Prepared by Tommy Mitchell Dionne
Williams Gulf Coast Baptist Association
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Definition

• A Baptist association is a
• gtfamily of Southern Baptist churches
• gtsharing a common faith and
• gtpartnering with one another to
• gtbuild the Kingdom of God
• gtin their setting.

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A family of Southern Baptist churches

• The churches that comprise the Gulf Coast Baptist
  Association are autonomous, independent,
  self-governing churches that choose to partner
  together to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew
  2819-20).
• As a family, the churches form a relationship of
  interdependence to assist each other so that
  individually and corporately the churches might
  be more effective in their mission and to promote
  a sense of oneness and fellowship among the
  churches.

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Sharing a common faith

• The fellowship of an association is based upon a
  general harmony in faith and practices.
• Although there may be some diversity among
  individual church practices and customs, an
  association is a doctrinally-based fellowship.

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
(Amos 33)
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Partnering with one another

• The association was the first form of cooperation
  among Baptist churches.
• The first mission activities of Baptists were
  through associations.
• The association provides a means for churches to
  do a greater work together in their setting than
  they can do alone.

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Fulfill the Great Commission

• The mission of the local church is to make
  disciples of all people (Matthew 2819-20)
• The local church has the responsibility to
  fulfill this mission according to Acts 18
• Jerusalem church field
• Judea association area
• Samaria state/regional area
• Ends of the Earth national/international
  ministry

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In their setting

• The churches of the Gulf Coast Baptist
  Association minister in a geographical setting
  (Mississippi Gulf Coast) and share many common
  conditions, challenges, and ministry
  opportunities.

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Mission of the Association

• The MISSION of Gulf Coast Baptist Association is
  to assist the cooperating churches in their
  divinely appointed task of fulfilling Christs
  Great Commission to build the Kingdom of God.
  (Matthew 2819-20).

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Gulf Coast Baptist Association has developed
ministry priorities to implement our mission

• Strengthen Churches assist churches so they can
  be more effective in their ministry
• Promote Missions create awareness to mission
  opportunities start new churches and ministries
• Develop Leadership train church leaders in
  administration/supervision skills, pastoral
  ministry, deacon ministry, crises ministry,
  conflict resolution, and planning skills
• Nurture fellowship encouraging church leaders
  and members to develop personal relationships

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The association is self-governing

• The association is created by the churches and
  is accountable to those churches through
  messengers to the annual meetings and
  representatives on the executive board who are
  selected and approved by the churches.

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The association is one of several Baptist
entities with which the church may partner
Gulf Coast Baptist Association
Mississippi Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
In Baptist life there is no higher power over
the local church than God.
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What are some ways our association can assist
your church?

• Partner with your church in church
  planting/missions ventures
• Partner with your church in ministry
  opportunities
• Provide training opportunities for your church
  leaders/committees/teams
• Assist to help strengthen your church ministries
• Encourage and assist your pastor/pastoral staff
• Pray for your church
• Facilitate disaster relief work for your church
• Coordinate building efforts for your church

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What is the Gulf Coast Baptist Association?

• It is exactly what the churches make it!

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How do churches shape our association?

• By their prayers
• By their expectations
• By their commitment to Kingdom principles of
  church missions/ministry (Acts 18)
• By the significance they give to the role of
  their messengers and executive board members
• By their involvement in associational planning
• By their financial support (at least 3 of their
  undesignated receipts)
• By their attitudes and actions in providing
  leadership to the association

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Churches make our association a vital force for
advancing Gods Kingdom,or they hinder it by
their lack of support and participation.
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What Can You Do?

• Commit to ministry through the association (Acts
  18)
• Investigate how the association can assist and/or
  support your church
• Communicate your own needs to associational
  leadership
• Participate in associational planning and
  training
• Design your church budget to support Acts 18
  missions responsibilities through the
  association, the state convention, and the
  Southern Baptist Convention

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Gulf Coast Baptist Associationassisting
churches. . .11201 Old Highway 49Gulfport, MS
39503