The Office of the General Secretary

As the chief executive officer of American Baptist Churches USA, the General Secretary exercises executive and prophetic initiative required to achieve an effective mission outreach for the denomination.

The General Secretary and the Office of the General Secretary staff are charged with implementing policy decisions of the Board of General Ministries, relating to and coordinating the work of the national and regional boards, fostering ecumenical relations, raising the mission budget through the Office of World Mission Support, overseeing the Office of Communication and such media as American Baptists In Mission and the American Baptist News Service, providing staff services for the Board of General Ministries, arranging for the Biennial Meeting of the denomination, and maintaining denominational records.

THE BOARD OF GENERAL MINISTRIES

The American Baptist Churches’ Board of General Ministries is the major policy-making body of the denomination. The composition of the Board is highly representative of American Baptist diversity in gender, ethnicity, geography and age, as well as in a balance of ordained and lay leaders. It deals with denominational business and polity, and speaks to issues of importance within the life of American Baptist Churches through policy statements, resolutions and other declarations. While its decisions give direction to national staff, they in no way obligate any autonomous American Baptist congregation or region to any position or course of action.

BIENNIAL MEETINGS

Biennial Meetings are national gatherings that provide opportunities for fellowship for all American Baptist churches through worship, Bible studies, mission experiences, the election of denominational officers and action on other denominational business, among many other activities.