WMU to leave BSC building, assume self-reliance

By Norman Jameson

BR Editor

Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina has voted to move offices from the Baptist State Convention (BSCNC) building in Cary and to assume responsibility for its own human resources policies and payroll.

The dramatic move culminates 16 months of tension since WMU-NC voted unilaterally in April 2006 to change the term that described its relationship with the Baptist State Convention from "auxiliary" to "cooperative partner."

At that time it also adopted a stance to assume final authority in personnel matters, although it committed to stay aligned with Baptist State Convention personnel policies. At issue was who could make the final call on potential new hires, a responsibility claimed by the BSCNC executive director-treasurer because each WMU-NC staff member is a BSCNC employee.

Numerous meetings took place between WMU-NC and BSCNC leadership to resolve the issues but they reached an impasse when neither side would budge from their position on ultimate authority in hiring WMU-NC staff.

WMU-NC board members approved the move via conference call Aug. 16 and communicated results to BSCNC executive leadership Aug. 21. WMU-NC reported that 25 of the WMU-NC executive board's 30 members were on the call and 23 voted in favor with one opposed and one abstention. The WMU-NC executive committee had earlier recommended the change.

No change in commitment

The decision to relocate offices "should not be interpreted as a departure from the organization's commitment to supporting and promoting missions through the BSCNC, nor as a lack of appreciation for the mutual partnership the organizations have enjoyed in the past," Ruby Fulbright, WMU-NC executive director, said in a written statement.

After meeting with Milton A. Hollifield Jr., BSCNC executive director-treasurer, to inform him of WMU-NC's decision, she told the Recorder, "For the integrity of the organization and our history and for what God wants us to do, this is what we had to do."

Hollifield, who was elected in April 2006, said in a prepared statement that he was "grieved that the long standing relationship between the BSCNC with WMU-NC of NC has moved to this level of consequential uncertainty."

"We have participated in more than 16 months of dialogue, and it was my hope that this process had helped move us forward together," Hollifield said. "However, BSCNC leadership was not given the opportunity to discuss this surprise vote by WMU-NC. Anytime we are faced with the desire of an entity to separate from BSCNC it is a terribly unsettling circumstance. I am saddened to see that our long standing relationship of trust and accountability has eroded."

Fulbright noted that Hollifield has taken a more active role in hiring matters. She said that in previous BSCNC administrations, WMU-NC was wholly responsible for hiring and managing its staff and that the BSCNC executive director merely signed paperwork to enter new WMU-NC employees into the payroll system.

Churches that rely on WMU-NC for assistance should see no change, she said. "We intend to continue working with the churches. We intend to keep praying for, promoting, and supporting the offerings, as well as providing missions education resources and training."

Hollifield affirmed WMU-NC and said he is "thankful for the influence and impact of WMU-NC throughout the life of the BSCNC."

"WMU-NC has contributed to the very impetus for cooperation among Baptist churches and their mission groups," he said. "The vision and focus provided by the dedicated women of WMU-NC to the missionary task of the church of Jesus Christ cannot be overstated."

Fulbright said "It has been our purpose and our joy to use our gifts and skills to be a resource for, a support of and a helper to the Baptist State Convention in the cause of missions. Each entity gave strength to the other. Through the years, the relationship worked like it was supposed to work with an organization (WMU-NC) that wanted to help the cause of missions and was allowed to do so."

"We wish to affirm an ongoing relationship," Fulbright added. "WMU-NC is appreciative of the history and heritage of our relationship with the BSCNC. We are very grateful for the benefits that have been provided for us through the years."

Early WMU

In its early days, WMU-NC worked out of leaders' homes or rented office space until 1912, when the organization began sharing office space with the Biblical Recorder. In 1947, WMU-NC moved into the BSCNC offices on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh.

WMU-NC wants to resource other Christian entities in mission education and involvement, Fulbright said, assisting churches that affiliate other denominations and with bodies such as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Baptist World Alliance.

Hollifield called that intention "a clear departure from the historic focus of the mission and ministry of WMU-NC of NC."

WMU-NC has asked the BSCNC for a nine-month financial transition to deal with insurance and payroll issues, though it might move out of the Baptist Building sooner. Fulbright said the WMU-NC staff will all resign employment from BSCNC and remain with WMU-NC.

WMU-NC has nine employees in Cary, plus two part-time and the facilities manager at Camp Mundo Vista, near Asheboro.

WMU-NC also wants to continue receiving funds through the North Carolina Missions Offering (NCMO), an annual state-wide offering that provides funds for WMU-NC, North Carolina Baptist Men, church planting, and a variety of other projects.

Hollifield said the 2007 NCMO distribution must follow the approved percentages but he would not speculate about either the BSCNC Executive Committee's willingness to continue transition funding or about future NCMO allocations.

"I am hopeful that some level of continued cooperation might be salvaged, but rest assured there will be missions education ministries and women's ministries provided through BSCNC with or without WMU of NC's cooperation," Hollifield said.

Julie Walters, communications specialist for national WMU, said, "National WMU-NC enjoys strong relationships with each of our state WMU-NC partners. We are very confident in North Carolina WMU-NC and the decisions of its leadership and remain committed to our relationship with North Carolina WMU-NC for the cause of missions."

The 2007 NCMO goal is $2.53 million. If fully funded, WMU-NC would receive $867,437, or 33.6 percent, of the total. That represents their program budget, including salaries. Benefits, insurance, automobiles, office space and technology are provided through Cooperative Program Missions Giving funds.

The WMU-NC occupies approximately 2,600 square feet of space in the Convention building and Convention leadership says the value of CPMG benefits exceeds $400,000.

Fulbright said WMU-NC has received a preliminary offer of alternative office space in the Raleigh area at a reasonable cost.

Prior to 1979, WMU-NC received funding through the annual Heck-Jones Offering. In 1977, the BSCNC voted to combine the offerings received by various entities into a single campaign, and the entities agreed. The social service agencies later reinstituted their individual offerings, but WMU-NC has remained a supportive participant in the combined offering.

Beyond personnel issues, WMU-NC sees its move toward independence as a positive step toward being able to provide resources and minister to Christian congregations without limitations. Fulbright said she wants WMU-NC seen as an asset to North Carolina Baptists, and not a liability.