Report: The 2023 BCI Annual Meeting & Pastors Conference

BCI Pastors Conference & Banquet – A Unique Blend of Learning and Fellowship

The weekend kicked off with a new event, The BCI Pastors Conference. The goal was to provide small group interactive workshops, which emphasized both learning and fellowship. Starting with a noon luncheon, church leaders shared a meal and chatted in small clusters, reconnecting with past ministry partners and making new friends.

Following lunch, Eric Schumacher, BCI’s new Pastoral Ministry Director, set the tone for the day during the general session with a devotional from Romans 1, emphasizing that the gospel is the power of God for salvation from beginning to end. Commenting on the sense of shared purpose, Eric said, “I appreciated vulnerability, humility, and hope present as pastors and wives shared their hearts with one another. It was a joy to see brothers and sisters learning, worshiping, rejoicing, weeping, and even disagreeing with one another as they fellowshipped and encouraged one another in the hope of the gospel.”

The breakout sessions included multiple options as well as a dedicated track for Pastors’ Wives, and allowed attendees to dive into specific topics relevant to their roles. The meals, the breaks, the other “in-between” times, as well as the personal and interactive nature of the breakouts encouraged networking throughout the conference. As the conference portion concluded, the reception and exhibit time provided additional opportunities for more learning and engagement. 

The highlight of the evening was the annual BCI Pastors & Wives Banquet. The banquet has a clear purpose: to honor and encourage our BCI pastors, and especially their wives, for their dedication and commitment to gospel ministry in their churches. The food, atmosphere, and fellowship highlighted the value of pastors and wives and the unique roles they play.

Partnerships in Action – A Quick Look at the 2023 Annual Meeting

On Saturday, the 2023 BCI Annual Meeting became the central focus, offering updates on encouraging developments in Iowa through BCI churches. The event underscored the promotion of partnerships, a core BCI value, through interactions with more than 20 exhibitors engaging pastors.

Our guest speakers shared authentically about the challenges of leading through difficult seasons. Recent public controversies were addressed with openness and humility. Guest speaker Ben Mandrell, Lifeway President, spoke about the need to deal with our own past hurts with grace and truth. Jonathan Howe, Interim President and CEO of SBC Executive Committee, shared about the various challenges facing the SBC Executive Committee, but also expressed that he is more encouraged than ever about the future of the convention. The two BCI Business Meeting sessions included electing officers, passing a $1.3 million budget for 2024, and passing a few updates in our constitution. Additionally we discussed several issues that have been in the news lately concerning other SBC entities. Stay tuned for a more detailed report next week, covering the Annual Meeting updates and the business meeting aspects of the event.

New Childcare Availability Enables Wider Participation

New for this year’s event was the introduction of childcare, available for infants through 5th graders. This addition aimed to enable more church leaders, especially mothers and pastors’ wives, to participate fully in the event. Many mothers were grateful for the opportunity to jump in and take part of each portion of the meeting without concerns about childcare responsibilities.

Reflecting on a Decade of Impact – Tim Lubinus

BCI Executive Director, Tim Lubinus, shared his perspective on the event: “This year was my tenth BCI annual meeting as Executive Director, and it was one of our best ever. I enjoyed seeing attendees meeting for the first time and also those reconnecting with old friends. At the meeting, we passed our largest budget ever and elected an experienced Executive Board. Finally, we were all inspired by the stories of what God is doing in the BCI and across the SBC. As I reflect on all ten years, it is so easy to see the impact of our collective efforts and am reminded of Acts 12:24, ‘But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.'”

The 2023 BCI Annual Meeting & Pastors Conference was not just an event; it was a testament to the power of gospel partnerships and community within the BCI. It marked a step forward in promoting fellowship, learning, and strengthening the bonds that make our partnership of churches truly impactful.