David Hull is pastor of First Baptist Church, Huntsville, Ala., and chair of the 2012 Task Force answering key questions for the future of the Fellowship Community. David recently responded to these questions from Lance Wallace, the Fellowship’s director of communications:
Q: What was your first reaction when asked to chair the 2012 Task Force and why did you accept the position?
A: My first reaction was gratitude. I was thankful that CBF was forming such a group to study our life together and to make recommendations for our future. Our group has an important and needed task, and now is the right time for this to occur. I was also thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this work. I accepted the position because I care deeply about the future of CBF.
Q: What was your involvement with CBF in its early days?
A: I attended the initial gathering in Atlanta in August, 1990. At that meeting I was selected to be on the Interim Steering Committee that shaped the dream we all shared in Atlanta. Those were exciting days for me to be a part of the beginning of something that would have great meaning in my ministry for the next twenty years. As a young pastor I was blessed to work alongside many people who had been mentors and heroes in the faith for me. Together, we recommended an organizational structure that is now CBF. A few years later I had the opportunity to serve on the Coordinating Council and to be the Program Chair for a General Assembly.
Q: How have you observed CBF and the larger Fellowship Baptist community change from then until now?
A: We began as a reactionary movement. There was amazing energy and passion to do a new thing. At the same time, strong ties to the old ways of Baptist denominational life still remained. Great grief abounded – as did vibrant hope. The biggest change over the last twenty years has not been in CBF itself, but in the cultural and religious context in which we live and minister. In fact, CBF has not changed all that much but the world surely has. Our challenge now is to determine how CBF needs to change and adapt to meet the challenges of the next twenty years and beyond.
Q: What do you see as your chief role in leading the 2012 Task Force?
A: My role will be to help build a team of people who can listen to the hopes/dreams/concerns/ideas of the CBF family and then take all that we have heard and develop and communicate strategic recommendations that will strengthen the life of the Fellowship.
Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunity for the 2012 Task Force?
A: Approaching the Twentieth Anniversary of CBF presents us with a great window of opportunity. It is a good time to look back over two decades of missions so that we might evaluate what works and what does not. It also is a great opportunity to plan and dream for the future.
Q: What is the 2012 Task Force’s greatest challenge?
A: CHANGE – that is always the big challenge. Will we be willing to change our methods in order to energize our ministry?
Q: How have the members of the 2012 Task Force demonstrated a “teamwork” approach to the task and how are you fostering team spirit?
A: We are just now beginning our work together. Our first face-to-face meeting will involve times for sharing of our lives as well as our ideas. We will take time to worship and pray together. Most on the group do not know every member of the team. I think that we all look forward to creating a team spirit as we get to know each other and work together over the next two years. I will probably be able to answer this question better at that time than I can right now.
Q: What are the key issues at the heart of assignment of the 2012 Task Force?
A: Leadership – All organizations need leadership. What is the best organizational design that will empower and encourage transformational leadership in the Fellowship family?
Relationships – How will we partner and work together to accomplish God’s mission for us?
Resources – What are the most effective ways to channel resources of money and people into ministry and mission?
Q: How can Fellowship Baptists participate in the work of the 2012 Task Force?
A: Let us hear from you. Go to our page on the CBF web site and offer your ideas and suggestions. Participate in listening sessions when you have an opportunity. The work of the Task Force will only be successful if we have a large amount of input from the CBF family.
Q: What is your “audacious dream” for the Fellowship community?
A: My “audacious dream” for the Fellowship community is that every year for the next twenty years we will appoint more missionaries, support more students in theological education, and plant more churches than we did the previous year.
To give your feedback to the 2012 Task Force, visit www.thefellowship.info/2012taskforce.