Executive Board hears GC2 Strong, Institutional Relations, organizational structure reports during May board meeting

The May meeting of the Texas Baptists Executive Board was held on May 18-19 at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. Board directors heard ministry reports, giving and GC2 Strong process updates and approved three unique recommendations. 

Potter: Staying united in our diversities

In her Tuesday morning address, Convention President Debbie Potter shared that when individuals cast aside differences and come together as the church to serve the singular mission of sharing God’s love through Jesus, they are bigger than one church and become many churches.

Potter said she has seen Texas Baptists unite to serve students through providing scholarships, giving them the opportunity to pursue higher education; through the Christian Life Commission working with Christian camps to advocate to reopen this summer and through the GC2 Strong Initiative, as it seeks to equip and support young pastors with mentors and resources. 

“I’m not sure we could do that apart from the BGCT,” said Potter. “When I walk into the room where the BGCT is, I feel safe. I know I am with a group of people who are on a common mission with me. It’s bigger than myself and bigger than my individual church.” 

Potter encouraged board members to come together as the church and remember they are all part of one team. 

“Let’s remember that we play for one team and the name on our jersey is Jesus. Let’s stay united in our diversities to make us stronger and have the ability to reach more people for the kingdom of God,” said Potter. 

Strong financial position despite giving deficits 

Ward Hayes, treasurer/CFO, delivered a financial update during his report.

The convention’s cash position was strong at the close of last year, with $17.5M spread across multiple accounts. Endowments and investments were at $268M, and the reserve fund was at $9.4M.

Cooperative Program (CP) receipts in the first quarter of the year were steady at 98% of the prior year. Hayes thanked churches for their resilient giving and noted that the BGCT Worldwide offering was similarly steady, and that special mission offerings were slightly up. 

Annie Armstrong was up from $0.5M to $0.7M; The Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions was up from $0.8M to $1M; Lottie Moon Christmas Offering remained steady at $5.6M; and Texas Baptist Hunger Offering remained steady at $0.1M.

Hayes then shared data on 10-year CP giving trends that included budgeted and actual giving combined with investment earnings and donor-designated funds. He shared that there was a widening gap between expenses and income. He also noted that economic factors have resulted in about a 50% loss in spending power in 2025 compared to 2015.

Though investment earnings and donor-designated funds helped cover CP giving shortages in past years, tapering investment earnings, combined with these other factors, necessitated the need for budget right-sizing.

In his Monday evening address, Executive Director Julio Guarneri shared how a realignment of staff is underway to serve the mission of the organization. He stated that three new teams will be formed in lieu of the current five-center structure – the Church Strong Team, the Minister Strong Team and the Missions Strong Team.

Guarneri said based on the cumulative effect of declines in Cooperative Program giving, changes were necessary for future budget and operations. He shared that the organization is looking at a sizable potential reduction in CP budget that is in keeping with current and projected giving trends. 

“Is BGCT in dire financial straits? The answer is ‘no.’ We are in a tremendous place of financial strength. But the reality is we have a deficit. I have no interest in making this a trend,” said Hayes. “We have the wisdom in our leadership to say, ‘We need to rightsize and be the organization our reality tells us we are.’” 

Baylor relationship agreement to be reviewed

Dustin Slaton, pastor of First Baptist Church Round Rock and Institutional Relations Committee (IRC) chair, brought a report. 

He shared that Baylor University President Linda Livingstone met with the IRC on Monday afternoon. During her time, Slaton said she emphasized that “Baylor and Texas Baptists share a foundational biblical commitment to the Gospel.”

He clarified that, although the motion was voted down at the 2025 Annual Meeting to study the relationship with Baylor, the IRC has the freedom to study institutional relationships if deemed necessary. Slaton also clarified that the study of the relationship with Baylor is not reactionary to April events, but was already being considered. 

He told the board that the IRC voted in their Monday afternoon committee meeting to permit Guarneri to work with Livingstone to review the relationship agreement and provide an update at the September board meeting. 

“Events on Baylor's campus merely demonstrated why this is needed at this time. So please continue to pray for [Guarneri and Livingstone] as they lead in this conversation,” said Slaton.

GC2 Strong, CP director updates, other ministry reports

Sergio Ramos, senior director of Relational Development/GC2 Strong, provided an update on the GC2 Strong initiative. He shared that an assessment instrument in both English and Spanish has been fully developed and undergone initial testing. The assessment is now ready for pilot implementation. 

As the GC2 Strong Initiative moves forward in implementation, “navigators” have been selected to be trained to coach and guide churches through the GC2 Discovery Process. Ramos said the first navigator training is scheduled to take place on July 13-14.  

He also shared that the GC2 Strong team will launch a pilot program with an expected 20 churches to serve as the primary testing environment for the GC2 Discovery Process. The pilot program is set to launch in September. 

“We are building a pathway that helps churches pursue lasting Great Commandment and Great Commission faithfulness,” said Ramos. 

The board also heard ministry reports from the Center for Missional Engagement, Center for Church Health, Resource Development, the Texas Baptists Missions Foundation and the Christian Life Commission. 

Jonathan Smith, associate director of the Center for Church Health, shared about the evangelism training and opportunities available to churches involving the upcoming FIFA World Cup games happening in Dallas and Houston this summer. 

Jeff Donnell brought greetings as the new director of Cooperative Program. He told the board he recognizes the challenges facing CP giving, but is confident that Texas Baptists can accomplish the task if they come together.

“Yes, there are challenges, but as I said, I've been in ministry long enough to know there are challenges … but we have a God-given mission, and we have a Texas-sized vision,” said Donnell. 

Additional Business: 

• A recommendation passed to revise Policy 526: Background Checks to clarify when Executive Board members, volunteers and independent contractors may be required to submit to a background check.
• A recommendation passed to revise Policy 809.1: Social Media to give guidance around TXB jobs that may require or request an employee post Texas Baptist supporting material on their own personal social media sites.
• A recommendation passed to change Policy 839: Additional Compensation to expand and include all types of additional compensation and provide parameters and guidelines for required procedures for approvals.

The next board meeting is set to take place on Sept. 21-22 in Dallas, TX.