On October 26, 2020, the Birmingham and Bessemer Baptist Associations voted to dissolve both existing associations and form one association called the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association. Both associations were born from Canaan Baptist Church, Bessemer, Alabama, in 1833. As Bessemer began to grow in the 1940s, the churches in Bessemer and surrounding communities formed their association and distinct identity. As times and approaches to ministry have changed, God has reunited the associations to encourage, equip, and engage churches in the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
Forming a permanent partnership began with associational leaders in the five Southern Baptist associations in Jefferson County talking about the possibilities. In November 2014, the five associational mission strategists agreed that we would begin a process of prayerful consideration of how we could partner together and reach Jefferson County with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Two questions developed from this mutual dialogue: (1) what is God’s will for the partnership, and (2) will the partnership make us better and more effective as we are obedient to the teaching of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. The initial dialogue took place in November 2014. Dr. Mike McLemore, former Executive Director of the Birmingham Baptist Association, was the initiator of this prayerful and mutual dialogue. Dr. Crain and Dr. Cosper began a prayerful journey to seek God’s heart and will regarding a mission partnership between the Birmingham and Bessemer Associations that would expand our commitment to reach Birmingham and Jefferson County with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The answered prayer would be a commitment to and practice of the Great Commission. Starting January 1, 2021, the newly formed Birmingham Metro Baptist Association will be fully united in mission and ministry.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Chris Crain, Executive Director of Birmingham Association, and Dr. Cosper shared the possibilities of a Birmingham/Bessemer partnership in several churches. The associations began to host virtual partnership presentations during the pandemic. The presentation entitled “Better Together” opened the eyes of many to incredible possibilities of Kingdom ministry. The associations hosted meetings with Bessemer and Birmingham pastors and leaders that helped form relationships between church pastors and associational staff. These relationships created the foundation for the uniting of 180 churches across both associations.
Attorney Eric Johnston serves as legal counsel for the process of joining the associations. His recommendation was to incorporate a brand-new association and then dissolve the two existing associations into the new association. The advantages are:
Both existing associations share equally in giving up their autonomy. This path avoids the perception and reality of a takeover.
A new corporation requires new governing documents. It is more effective to create original governing documents developed from a modern context than to merge existing governing documents produced to function in a different era.
Members of Bessemer and Birmingham churches will populate the leadership teams for the new association.
In January 2021, an enlistment team will recommend to the association leaders for five administrative committees. The new Birmingham Metro Baptist Association will complete a fiscal plan and begin work as a single association.
Dr. Rick Curtis, Assistant to the President for Convention and Associational Relations at the North American Mission Board, led Birmingham and Bessemer associations through strategic analysis. His conclusions were favorable to the partnership:
The associations share a real sense of common ground.
I observed no tension or hesitation of interaction within racial, socio-economic, or big vs. small church size differences.
The associations exhibited a welcoming spirit among all participants in the process.
I experienced a familial sense within the two associations.
Dr. Curtis and Dr. Rick Barnhart, Director of Associational Missions at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, see the Birmingham and Bessemer union as a model for other Southern Baptist Convention associations. Within Alabama, there are opportunities for mission partnerships in West, Central, and Southeast Alabama.
The theme “Better Together” has characterized and produced a vision of partnership possibilities that exceeds what either association has been able to do previously. Thank you for praying for the leadership teams in the partnership. The new Birmingham Metro Baptist Association leaders believe that God will produce Kingdom opportunities to enable the churches to do more for God together than ever before.
If you have questions about the new Birmingham Metro Baptist Association, please contact our office. Go to our website at BMBAOnline.org and sign up for our newsletter. Follow the BMBA on Facebook to find out about our work in missions, church revitalization, and equipping local churches.