ATLANTA – The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship returns to the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Ala., for its annual General Assembly, June 24-26. The Fellowship expects to draw more than 3,000 to its 14th Assembly.
Founded in 1991, CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. Headquartered in Atlanta, the Fellowship holds an annual meeting called the General Assembly for worship, fellowship, education and business, such as electing national officers and approving an annual budget. There is no charge to attend the General Assembly.
With an annual budget of $16 million, the Fellowship is supported by more than 1,800 churches and an additional 3,000 individuals nationwide. CBF partners with 13 theology schools and has 150 Global Missions field personnel serving in North America and around the world.
During the Assembly, the Fellowship will emphasize its relationship to the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). The featured ministry offering at this year’s Assembly will go to BWA, and the Assembly will vote on a budget that doubles the Fellowship’s annual contribution to BWA from $20,000 to $40,000. Last year the Fellowship raised $175,000 in two special offerings for Partners in Hope, CBF’s rural poverty initiative.
BWA voted in July 2003 to include the Fellowship as a member body. BWA is a fellowship of 211 Baptist unions and conventions comprising a membership of more than 46.5 million baptized believers. The Southern Baptist Convention voted to withdraw from BWA in June.
In addition to the special offering, BWA will host a workshop and a special breakfast at the Assembly on June 25 featuring BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz.
Last held in Birmingham in 1999, the General Assembly will feature John Kinney, dean of the school of theology at Virginia Union University, as the keynote speaker and singer-songwriter Kyle Matthews as the highlighted musician. Recording artist Chris Rice had been previously announced as the highlighted musician; however, contract terms could not be reached. Matthews will minister in song during the opening worship service at 7:30 p.m., June 24.
Other auxiliary events held in conjunction with the Assembly include the Congregational Leadership Institute, led this year by Craig Van Gelder, professor of congregational mission at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and author of “The Essence of the Church: A Community Created by the Spirit.” This event costs $45 per person, $40 per person when three or more are from one congregation and $40 per person for full-time students. Reservations can be made by calling (770) 220-1637.
The Fellowship will launch a new Spiritual Formation Network on June 23. The Fellowship, in partnership with Upper Room Ministries of