The Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, meeting Oct. 9 at White Oak Conference Center near Winnsboro, approved a $28.6 million state convention operating budget for 2013.
If adopted by messengers at the Nov. 13-14 SCBC annual meeting in Greenville, the financial plan will be unchanged from 2012, halting a three-year run of shrinking budgets. Since 2009’s high-water mark of $34.25 million, the state convention’s operating budget has contracted by 16.5 percent ($5.65 million).
The 2013 budget would move the director of the office of public policy from part-time to full-time at an increase of $25,000 in salary and benefits.
In other business from the Oct. 9 Executive Board meeting:
– Chairman Keith Davis appointed a Pastor’s Health Initiative Committee to research causes contributing to negative physical and mental health among pastors (see related story above).
– The board’s administrative committee reported that, beginning Jan. 1, the convention building will close on Fridays, and staff members will work extended hours Monday-Thursday. A staff director-level position will be on call each Friday. The committee reported the action was taken as an initiative for cost savings.
– The board approved a recommendation by the planning and ministries committee to post the convention’s annual on the convention website, while providing printed or DVD copies only to those who request them. Publishing the convention annual online would save about $12,000 per year. The budget, finance and audit committee reported the SCBC’s annual giving report will also be posted on the convention website, saving about $14,000 per year.
– Board members approved a report from a special committee assigned to research a request from the 2011 annual meeting regarding cost reduction for operation of the SCBC building in Columbia. Recommendations included leasing space to non-SCBC entities; eliminating the mailing of the SCBC annual; and repairing, replacing or covering the building’s roof. A presentation will be made for messengers at the 2012 annual meeting.
– The board approved amended guidelines to the convention’s Church-Related Vocational Scholarship and the Richard Furman Scholarship programs. Recipients of the vocational scholarship would now agree to at least three hours per week of ministry-related practical experience with a designated supervisor. Changes to the Furman scholarship add the convention’s three universities – Anderson, Charleston Southern, and North Greenville – to the approved list of schools. Applicants may also be full-time seminary or Christian-ministry graduate students to receive the aid. (Scholarships are not available for doctoral-level students.)
– Board members learned that Tim Rice has been promoted from interim status to serve as the director of the convention’s missions mobilization group.
– The board approved a recommendation from a special committee tasked with researching a recommendation at the 2011 annual meeting regarding the percentage make-up of the Executive Board between pastors and laity. Hans Wunch reported that past records were unavailable to complete the research and recommended records be studied in five years and a report made at the annual meeting.
– The board heard a report from the properties committee that a 30-year lease, at $1 per year, has been given to Pickens County Emergency Management for use of one acre at McCall Royal Ambassador Camp for placement of a fire station. The county will incur all costs related to the station, which will reduce the camp’s annual fire insurance premium. The committee also reported on a new salad bar for White Oak Conference Center and a new sound system for the convention building in Columbia.
– The Clemson University Baptist Campus Ministries property task force reported that a property exchange agreement has been signed with McAlister Development to relocate and build a new BCM center adjacent to Clemson University. Construction on the new property will begin in January 2013 and is scheduled to be completed by July 15. – SCBC