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TRANSITION YEAR - SURVEY #1

Question #2 - "OUTSIDE the Box Ideas"

MERGER OPTIONS

   (Key:  LL=Lay Leader // P=Pastor)
  BGC MERGERS     NON-BGC MERGERS
P Well I think merging with another district is really outside the box when you consider how it would immediately impact this district   LL Maybe we should affiliate not just with our own Baptist churches, but any churches that are fulfilling the will of the Lord - Matthew 28:19-20
p Maybe we should become a sub-district or region of another Area. Back around 1975?? The Alaska District became an area of Columbia (a huge district) with it's own board, budget, etc. and the DEM Traveled to Alaska a few times each year, etc.   P Maybe we should "offer" to affiliate with the Iowa NAB churches.  Some sort of "job share/resource sharing".  Maybe the NAB might be willing to "share a DEM" in Iowa only.  Maybe the NAB might be willing to "share a DEM" in Iowa only.  Maybe we should/could "give them" 1/2 interest in PLCC.  Maybe the Evang Free would "share a DEM"?
P Free each church to go independent or join with another district   LL Maybe we could share leadership with another like minded denomination in Iowa ?
      LL Maybe we should combine the IBC churches with the E-Free churches in Iowa to create a conference.
      LL Maybe we should seek affiliation with the Evangelical Free Church district, or some other group with which we have strong commonalities.
      P Maybe we should pursue a merger/partnership with like-minded churches such as the NAB's.
      P Maybe...we can work something out with the NAB and reform our district as a partnership.
      LL Maybe we should try to enlist the several American Baptist churches that have broken their affiliation with the conference over the homosexual issue.  Maybe we should put out some information that would alert disenchanted American Baptist churches that we as a conference would be interested in incorporating
      LL Maybe we should pursue other churches without an affiliation and recruit them to become BGC members.
      LL Maybe we should share facilities (such as district offices and camp) and administrative items with other denominations or organizations that lack Iowa facilities. As an example the Church of the Nazarene has recently agreed to sell their camp in West Des Moines and does not have any plans for future camps, annual meetings, revivals, etc. BGC's plan in Florida is another example of sharing with other ministry organizations. Even providing facilities for the unaffiliated Mega churches of Iowa.
      P 2. Maybe we should partner with the Iowa district of the North American Baptists or the Iowa Evangelical Free church.
      P Maybe we should... collect all the unaffiliated Baptist churches in Iowa under one roof and create a much larger conference.  Maybe we should look at other Baptist affiliations that are strong in Iowa.
      LL Maybe expanding to include other Baptist churches would be productive. But is bigger better?
      P Maybe we should Merge state leadership with NAB
      LL Maybe we should try to invite all unaffiliated Baptist churches to unite with us and in so doing, eliminate trying to start new churches.
      P Maybe we should identify and attract all "like-minded" non-denominational churches in Iowa under one roof.  Maybe we should merge (or form a loose association; shared DEM) with the NAB churches in Iowa.
      P Maybe we should work with a non church group such as youth for Christ or young life to increase the support for our ibc.
      LL Maybe we should... collect all the unaffiliated Baptist churches in Iowa under one roof and create a much larger conference.  Maybe we should... join another Baptist Conference in Iowa.
      LL Maybe we should try and see how many unaffiliated Baptists would consider joining with us.  Maybe we should check with the Brethern Churches who were German Baptist years ago see if they would like to join or form something new.
      LL It would be nice to go that direction, but I think that if you would need that many churches committed and going in the same direction, their statements of faith must line up and then the support monetarily must follow.