The IBSA Annual Meeting is less than one week away, and the 2025 Book of Reports is now available online for viewing in preparation ahead of the meeting. It’s a hefty 114 pages largely owing to proposed changes to the IBSA Constitution and its entities’ bylaws. Messengers may read proposed constitution and by-law changes, review proposed resolutions, see the list of congregations seeking to become newly cooperating churches, and other business online and receive a printed copy in-person at the meeting.
Registration deadlines
Deadlines for the November 4-5 IBSA Annual Meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield are coming up fast. The deadline to pre-register online as a messenger is at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 29. After that, messengers may register in-person at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The deadline to register online for Annual Meeting meals, gatherings, and childcare is noon on Friday, October 31.
Constitution and Bylaw changes
The report from the Constitution Committee contains proposed changes to the IBSA Constitution, BCHFS Bylaws, and BFI Bylaws recommended for their second reading. The Committee’s report includes a detailed explanation of those changes on page 13 of the Book of Reports. It also includes additional corrections to the document being read for a second time, which are also explained on page 13.
A summary of proposed amendments to the BCHFS and BFI Bylaws and IBSA Constitution appearing for their first reading is on pages 13 and 14 of the Book of Reports. Changes presented for a second reading are up for discussion and vote, while those for a first reading are not.
The Committee is also proposing for a first reading, a separation (see page 14 of the Book of Reports) of the current IBSA Constitution into two documents – a Constitution for the Association and Bylaws for IBSA the Corporation. According to the report, “This is being recommended to clarify for legal purposes the differences between the Association vs. the Corporation the difference between the Association vs. the Corporation that both currently use the name Illinois Baptist State Association and IBSA in their names.”
Five resolutions
This year the Resolutions and Christian Life Committee is presenting five resolutions to messengers for their approval. Two of the resolution’s express appreciation for service. IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams is celebrated and thanked for his many years of dedication to Illinois Baptists churches and their members. While another shows appreciation for the meeting’s messengers along with the leaders and staff serving at it.
Other resolutions call for Illinois Baptists to engage students on college and university campuses in the state with the gospel; and to urge pastors and church members to heed the dangers of sports gambling and to call upon their elected officials to oppose it.
The Committee also encourages Illinois Baptists to “enthusiastically encourage each congregation to renew their commitment” and sacrificial giving through the Cooperative Program on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
New network partners coming on board
In accordance with the IBSA Constitution, the following churches will be presented to join IBSA. Their leaders have completed paperwork to become “cooperating churches” and have provided information to the IBSA Credentials Committee on their congregation, including their adherence to the Baptist Faith and Message, planned financial support for Cooperative Program, and evidence of democratic processes in the selection of church leaders.
These churches will be presented for affirmation by messengers at the IBSA Annual Meeting:
- Anchor Church Berwyn, Berwyn
- Gospelife, Washington
- Hammer and Flame Church, Bushnell
- Iglesia De Cristo, Milan
- Metropolitan Tabernacle Community Church and Global Ministries, Lansing
- New Vision Community Church, Mt. Sterling
- River of Life Church, Urbana
- Shepherd Reformed, Joliet
- Village Baptist Church, Alexis
Other business
Messengers will also vote on proposed 2026 budgets for IBSA, BCHFS, and BFI along with officers of the Association.
The Order of Business also includes express times for miscellaneous business.
The Annual Meeting will be streamed live beginning with session one on Tuesday, November at 3 p.m. Watch it at IBSAannualmeeting.org, Facebook/IllinoisBaptist, or YouTube/IllinoisBaptist.
For more information about the Annual Meeting, including speakers, breakouts, boxes of blessing, schedule, and more, visit IBSAannualmeeting.org.