COVID brings lasting changes to Baptist Convention of New England
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of three articles discussing how changes related to COVID-19 have affected the BCNE.
Six months after COVID began to escalate in the United States, pandemic-related changes are continuing to create ripples that affect the Baptist Convention of New England.
“The past few months have been difficult,” said Dr. Terry Dorsett, executive director of the BCNE. “Though we are facing great challenges, we also have great faith that God will provide.”
NAMB freeze, LifeWay cut and other reduced funding
The first change occurred in March when the North American Mission Board (NAMB) notified the BCNE that it would be freezing $187,000 of evangelism and church planting development funds. In April, LifeWay Christian resources followed with a $90,000 cut in funds dedicated to training and collegiate ministry.
As weeks passed, the BCNE continued to deal with the challenge of reduced funding from cancellations at the Rice Lodge and Suite, less than expected income from Burke Springs and decreased giving from churches that were struggling to make ends meet.
Dr. Dorsett responded by temporarily reducing the hours of several staff members, laying off part-time property manager Ray Allen and several contract workers who helped with ministry part-time, and raising money through outside donations.
More changes from NAMB
Then NAMB made two announcements: evangelism and church planting development funds would remain frozen for the rest of the year and next year would include a $50,000 cut to administrative funds, bringing the total of COVID-related income loss to $530,000.
At this point, it became clear that the BCNE would need to make some steep cuts, which included letting go of church planting/collegiate ministry assistant Joye Jackson, bookkeeper/executive assistant Bridjo Cobbs, and accountant Jesse Smith, while beginning to outsource all accounting.
“One of the hardest parts of being a leader is having to make difficult decisions that impact people we love and appreciate, but in the end that is the role of effective leaders,” Dr. Dorsett said.
Continuing giving, ministry opportunities
In spite of the difficulty of these transitions, Dr. Dorsett is encouraged by the number of BCNE churches that are continuing to faithfully give to the Cooperative Program. He also sees some positive changes that have come from adjusting to the pandemic, including an increase in remote training opportunities, deeper connections from regular pastoral prayer meetings on Zoom, and the creative passion churches are displaying as they work to reach their communities.
“One might think the pandemic would decrease ministry opportunities, but instead it is increasing them,” Dr. Dorsett said. “I’m proud of our churches for seizing those opportunities for the Gospel.”
Kimber Huff is the communications coordinator at the Baptist Convention of New England.