wfn.org | ABCUSA: Ministerial Leadership Commission to be Discontinued

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 9/19/03)--The Ministerial
Leadership Commission (MLC) of American Baptist Churches USA, which has
functioned on behalf of the denomination for more than a half century to
develop and support well-trained church leaders, will be discontinued at the
end of this year. 

The denomination's National Executive Council (NEC), in response to a
commitment that redirects mission funds for greater support of regional
ministries, decided to discontinue funding the work of the Ministerial
Leadership Commission beyond the commitments it has made for 2003.  

Begun in 1950 with a mission to "ensure that American Baptists may continue
to have the ablest, most qualified, and spiritually sensitive leadership
that is possible" the Ministerial Leadership Commission has developed
policies, programs and projects that support the ministerial leaders of
American Baptist Churches USA and the churches and agencies they serve.  It
has provided resources for ordination standards, career development, and
delivery and quality of theological education, and has maintained the
denomination's Professional Registry.

A number of existing American Baptist programs were given birth through the
MLC, including the American Baptist Personnel Services, Women in Ministry
and Interim Ministries.   Its current emphasis lifts up the development of
clergy health as an American Baptist priority.	Serving as the national
coordinator of three sectional commissions, the MLC has provided the forum
through which ministerial leadership issues can be brought from the local
church to national focus and dealt with as a denominational family. 

The Rev. Ivan E. George has served since 1999 as executive director of the
MLC.

The Rev. Dr. Sumner Grant, chair of the National Ministerial Leadership
Commission, said, "I want to commend Ivan George, in particular, and his
staff for their gracious response to this hard reality.  While this action
will result in great personal loss for them, their primary focus has been on
the ministry of the Commission as it evolves in new ways."

Grant noted that input from the National Ministerial Leadership Commission
regarding the possible lodgment for pieces of the Commission's work will be
shared with the newly formed Ministerial Care Unit Task, Force, the General
Board and the NEC for their consideration.

American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley,
said, "The Ministerial Leadership Commission has supported and resourced
American Baptist leaders and their churches with wisdom, practicality and an
unwavering focus on Christ-centered ministry.  The quality and commitment of
our leadership is a true testimony to the effectiveness of the Commission's
work.  We thank Ivan and his staff for their dedication, and pray God's
blessings on them now as they complete their tasks in support of MLC and our
churches."

K/2003ABNS/03ABN120

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org