MBCB undergoing major reorganization to better serve member churches

By William H. Perkins Jr.
Editor

The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) is realigning to bring a sharper focus to the board’s relationship with the 1,800 member churches of the convention, according to executive director-treasurer Dr. Shawn Parker. The changes will go into effect April 1, he said.

“I’m excited about the adjustments we’re making to our MBCB team to meet unfolding needs of Mississippi Baptist churches,” Dr. Parker said. “One of the most exciting is the addition of a church revitalization consultant, who will be responsible for assisting churches with revitalization needs. Some of our churches are struggling to remain vital, and my hope is we can come alongside those churches and help them retool for the future and regain the vision of making disciples.”

The new structure will include Dr. Michael Lee as Chief Strategic Officer, who will be responsible for the ministry side of the board, while Barri Shirley will serve as the Chief Operating Officer and administer business and financial matters. Prior to their new assignments, Lee was serving as associate executive director for church growth and Shirley was associate executive director for business services.

Along with the church revitalization consultant, Dr. Parker is working toward a new department for multi-cultural ministries. “I’m also excited about adding a multi-cultural ministries director to our team, who will focus on coordinating work among ethnic groups in Mississippi,” he said. “These will include the African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and deaf communities. While we have had influence in these communities, the time has come to concentrate our effort with someone who can devote the needed focus to build bridges and strengthen the work.”

A prayer ministry has been added to the ministries of the Stewardship Department, which is headed by Rick Blythe. The department will now carry the title of Stewardship/Prayer Ministry Department. The Woman’s Missionary Union/Women’s Ministry Department, an auxiliary to the Mississippi Baptist Convention, will reverse its dual name and become the Women’s Ministry/Woman’s Missionary Union Department.

Other name changes include the Church Planting Department, headed by Johnny Ervin, which will become the Church Planting/Revitalization Department, and the Church Music Department, where Dr. Slater Murphy is director, will become the Worship Department.

All departments will be grouped into three teams: Church Engagement, Church Health, and Church Support.

“We want to renew our focus on the local church,” Dr. Parker stressed. “The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board exists to assist the local church in making disciples in Mississippi and around the world. I want everything we do to have a direct link to the local church so that when people think about the Baptist Building, their first thought is, “Hey, they love local churches!”

For more information on the board reorganization, Dr. Parker may be contacted at sparker@mbcb.org. The ministries of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board are supported by gifts to the Lord through the Mississippi Cooperative Program.