The CMBA Administrative Team, formerly known as the Visionary Leadership Community (VLC), met Tuesday, October 18, at Rosewood Community Church to conduct business and share ministry updates. Pastor Bob Morgan welcomed the group to the church’s replant location on Moss Avenue in Columbia. Rhonda Failoni appeared in CMBA’s Administrative Team Member Spotlight ahead of the meeting.
Of note during the meeting, members had an extended discussion around the concern for and value of CMBA churches completing the Annual Church Profile (ACP). In addition to efforts made to invite and remind churches to complete the 2022 ACP, Associational Missions Strategist Jamie Rogers will communicate directly with churches to further explain how the annual data collection benefits the individual church and how that data relates to the larger mission and evangelism work of the association and the state convention. As of the meeting date, 19 of the 98 CMBA churches have completed the ACP.
Administrative Team members heard updates to ongoing CMBA Team Huddle work with churches including local and international missions work, new church plants and their leadership, and the Denominee process. CMBA Woman’s Missionary Union and Sisters Who Care Director Rev. Ralphetta Davis announced that the 2022 World Day of Prayer will be held November 7, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Baptist Church. The annual event is cohosted by CMBA and Gethsemane Baptist Association Women’s Auxiliary. She encourages pastors and churches to engage in children’s WMU missions training because it “teaches children how to fulfill the Great Commission.”
In his report to team members, Rogers announced the CMBA Pastor Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, October 31, at 11 a.m. at GraceChurch of Columbia. Citing data indicating South Carolina leads the nation in pastoral burnout, Rogers said the state has one of the worst records in various aspects of pastoral health. CMBA is working to create opportunities for pastors to gather together in person, including in smaller cohorts.
In other news, the CMBA’s financial status is in line as anticipated. Treasurer Brenda Sheets has announced her intent to complete her role on December 31, 2022. The Administrative Team is looking to fill the role of treasurer as well as for other members of CMBA churches to serve in open terms on the Administrative Team. Individuals interested in serving may contact Rogers at Jamie@ColumbiaMetro.org.
The team concluded the meeting with a time of focused prayer and will reconvene November 29 at Harmony Baptist Church.