To be able to execute the vision and the strategic plan of the President and Vice Presidents, the organizational churches will be grouped into regional divisions known as Regions. These regions will allow for the organizational agenda to be culturally adapted through local, grassroots leadership. The Regions will function as both serviceable areas and for curating the Board of Overseers.
Upon ratification of the revised Constitution and Bylaws of the General
Association of General Baptists and the adoption of the Constitution and Bylaws
of the General Baptist Board of Overseers of the General Association of General
Baptists, the organization will begin the process of instituting the regional
divisions. As the governing documents outline a completed system, where Regions
elect Overseers and Overseers manage the demarcation of Regions, it is
necessary for a clear and proper process to onboard the Regions. Therefore the
President, with the assistance of the Restructure Task Force, will be empowered
to implement the demarcation of Regions.
Based upon current geography of General Baptist churches, the inaugural regional
divisions will be:
- Ohio River Region
- Mid West / California Region
- South Central Region
- Great Lakes Region
- Tennessee River Region
- Southeast Region
- Global Region
In the infancy of this model, some churches and mission fields will find themselves in the hinterland of a Region. It is the intent of this system to grow to encompass all churches and mission fields, however there may be times where Regions may have to adopt or embrace churches and mission fields into their regional divisions, even though the kingdom work may not be in geographical proximity.
Once the regions are established, this will allow for the holding of regional meetings where the Board of Overseers will be elected by the process outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the General Baptist Board of Overseers of the General Association of General Baptists.
To allow for both growth or decline, there may be a need for the restructuring of the regional boundaries due to the population or proximity of churches served in each region. This restructuring can be initiated by the President and Board of Overseers at any meeting of the Board of Overseers. If they determine the boundaries need to be adjusted, new Regions will be established in the next calendar year. Current overseers will serve out their terms being assigned new divisions by the President and will be replaced upon the expiration of their term based on the process outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the General Baptist Board of Overseers of the General Association of General Baptists.
Every 12 years from the Regions being established or reestablished, the President and the Board of Overseers will evaluate the demarcation boundaries and determine if they need to be adjusted. If they determine the boundaries need to be adjusted, new Regions will be established in the process previously mentioned.