Conservative Baptist Association of America - Reorganization

Reorganization

Until a structural reorganization began in early 2004, CBAmerica was a network of churches and ministries, committed to evangelization and church planting. In 2003, its membership comprised over 1200 churches representing over 200,000 church members.

Following the dissolution of an Organization Task Force after an unsuccessful attempt to unite the national agencies in a single structure and vision, CBAmerica was reorganized to become "the amalgamate voice of 9 regions." In 2005 new bylaws were adopted whereby local churches ceased to be the members of CBAmerica, in favor of a membership composed of regional associations. Churches continue to be the members of the regional associations but have no direct participation in the national organization.

Stephen LeBar served as the last executive director of CBAmerica from 2004 until his resignation in 2009 and was not replaced. The staff listed on the website of CBAmerica as of 2012 is limited to a part-time National Network Facilitator, who also serves as facilitator of a regional association, and a part-time Chaplaincy Director, who is a retired Army chaplain. The stated purpose of CBAmerica as reorganized is limited to servicing regional associations: "CBAmerica exists to serve, resource and represent regional fellowships of Conservative Baptist churches."

The slogan on its website is "a church-based network of regional ministries." There is no explanation offered as to the meaning of "church-based" for an organization that no longer includes churches, and no specific services to regional fellowships are presented despite the stated purpose of CBAmerica. A new Constitution was adopted in January 2011. The only specific staff mentioned in the Constitution is the Chaplaincy Director. The reorganization appears to have reduced the national organization of Conservative Baptists to little more than a name for the sake of identification and representation to the Department of Defense for endorsing military chaplains.