Greetings from the Endorsing Committee of the Alliance of Baptists! The committee is functioning well and is in the midst of some exciting changes in support of the 168 persons endorsed by the Alliance.

First, the committee and the Alliance owe a debt of gratitude to Lynn Hyder, outgoing committee chair. Lynn provided fine leadership of our work of endorsement. Thank you, Lynn, for your service and ministry!

The Endorsing Committee welcomes a new member: Mica Togami, a CPE Supervisor at Sharp Healthcare in San Diego, Calif. She joins Tere Canzoneri, pastoral counselor; David Julian, VA chaplain; Scott Landes, healthcare chaplain; and Karrie Oertli, CPE supervisor.

Specific changes to our processes were made during a fruitful March 5-6 Endorsing Committee retreat. Beginning immediately, those requesting endorsement will meet one of four deadlines during the year: Jan.1, April 1, July 1 or Oct. 1. Decisions regarding endorsement will be made in fewer than three months after each deadline. The goal is to smooth the process of endorsement and allow timely response. The committee also streamlined the review and interview process. Future such retreats are planned.

To maintain endorsement with the Alliance of Baptists all endorsed chaplains, counselors and CPE supervisors agree to:

·       contribute at least $150 annually to the Alliance of Baptists

·       submit one annual report with the option of one mid-year check-in

·      notifiy a change of ministry setting, level of professional certification, legal ethical or professional actions filed against the person within one month of such changes

·       attend an Alliance gathering at least once every three years.

Concurrently, in order to maintain quality support of all endorsed chaplains, counselors and CPE supervisors, the Alliance of Baptists agrees to responsibly use the financial support of endorsed folks in addition to other sources of support to provide: 

·     a staff person who serves as the Alliance endorser and maintains professional relationships with certifying bodies, denominational endorsers, and institutions and employers — APC, ACPE, AAPC, COMISS, AFCB, NCMAF, ECVAC, AREB

·       a committee of peers to lead, shape, and maintain the endorsement process

·       letters as requested to professional organizations, employers and institutions

·       on-going opportunities for communication among endorsed folks

·       provisions for continuing growth, education, connection and support

We are working on more changes, which we will communicate as they mature. In the meantime, we are grateful for the support of Chris Copeland, minister for leadership formation and the Alliance’s endorser, for the fine work he does in the leadership and support of our work together.