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FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC or Convention) is dependent upon over 400 volunteers to lead and serve the Convention, its committees, and its institutions.
The TBC Committee on Boards and TBC Committee on Committees (the committees) are charged by the Convention to nominate approximately 1/3 of these volunteers each and every year. About half of that number are being nominated for a second term. That still leaves approximately 80 to 100 new volunteers that must be found each year. To accomplish this task, both committees are dependent upon recommendations that come from Baptists in the pew.
Over the last few years, the number of recommendations coming to the committees has been decreasing, causing the committees to review the process for securing recommendations and for what those recommendations should include.
Committee Process
The committees are praying that each and every Tennessee Baptist seriously considers recommending someone to serve on a TBC Committee, on the TBMB Board of Directors, or on a TBC fostered institution Board of Trustees. To that end, the committees have made some changes in the process for 2026:
- Individuals are encouraged to volunteer to serve by completing a Candidate Information form.
- Individuals are encouraged to recommend others by completing a Candidate Reference form.
- If an individual volunteers, that individual will also need to ask someone else to complete the Candidate Reference Form.
- If an individual is recommended by someone else, then that individual will be asked to complete the Candidate Information form.
- To ensure that every candidate has both a Candidate Information Form and a Candidate Reference Form, the system will send the correct form to either the candidate or the reference as needed.
- Information and reference forms should be submitted by March 1, 2026. Forms received after that date will be considered as vacancies occur.
- Candidates can choose their top three committees and/or institutions where they want to serve or indicate that they are willing to serve on any board or committee.
- All candidates who have both an information and a reference form submitted will be considered by the committees. However, no candidate nor reference should assume that a candidate will automatically be nominated to the messengers of the TBC annual meeting for election or appointment.
- Candidates will be notified when both their information form and reference form have been received.
- References will be notified that the reference form they completed has been received.
- If the candidate is chosen for consideration on a committee or board, a member of the Committee on Committees or the Committee on Boards will contact the candidate for a final vetting conversation before the nomination is complete.
Bylaw Requirements for Candidates
- Must be a member of a Cooperating Tennessee Baptist Church.
- Must not be a regular employee of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board or of a Convention Institution.
- Must agree to covenant to serve in accordance with, and not contrary to, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
Committee Considerations for Nominations
- Consideration is given to qualified individuals who are Christ-followers who have a discernible close walk with the Lord, serve effectively in their local church, and demonstrate a commitment to the purposes of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
- Consideration is given to qualified individuals who will increase the representation of ethnic, gender, and vocational diversity on Boards and Committees.
- Consideration is given to qualified individuals who are members of churches that demonstrate a financial commitment of giving through the Cooperative Program or TBC ministries. Desired minimum level of giving based on undesignated receipts is 5% for TBMB Board of Directors, 2% for TBC Committees, and 2% for Convention Institutions.
- Participation in the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions is also preferred for TBMB Board of Directors.
Bylaw Parameters for Service All TBC Committees
- One three-year term
- One year off before eligible to return to same Committee or to serve on another Committee or Board. Exception: 4 years off before eligible to return to Committee on Boards or Committee on Committees.
- 15 members on each committee.
- No more than one committee member per church on same committee.
- Five members from each region (East, Middle, West).
TBMB Board of Directors
- Can serve two 3-year terms.
- Three years off before eligible to return to the Board or one year off before eligible to serve on another board or committee.
- 99 directors.
- No more than one director per church.
- Defined number for each region allocated by total church membership per region (East-36, Middle-32, West-31 — Subject to change each year).
TBC Fostered Institution Board of Trustees
- Can serve three three-year terms.
- One year off before eligible to return to same Board or to serve on another board or committee.
- Number of trustees per board is determined by each institution.
- No more than three trustees per church on same board.
- Must also be recommended by the institution to the Committee on Boards.
Duties and Meetings TBMB Board of Directors
“(…)Shall have charge of all the educational, missionary, benevolent, and other interests of the Convention. During the interim between meetings of the Convention, TBMB shall have all the powers of the Convention except as limited by this constitution, the bylaws of the Convention, and specific action taken by the Convention in session.” (TBC Constitution Article VII).
- Normally meets two times during the year, plus the Monday of the annual meeting of the TBC. All directors serve on a committee which will meet at least twice each year in addition to the full Board meetings.
TBC Fostered Institution Board of Trustees
The Boards of Trustees are the decision-making body for the respective institution. The Convention institutions are: Baptist Memorial Health Care System Memphis, Carson-Newman University, Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy (DBA The King’s Academy), TN Baptist Adult Homes, TN Baptist Children’s Homes, TN Baptist Foundation, and Union University. Each institution sets their own trustee duties and meeting schedule, but a trustee should expect to meet two to four times a year.
Committee on Arrangements
Prepares the order of business (agenda) for and serves as the Committee on Order of Business during the Annual Meeting and any called meetings of the Convention.
- Works with TBMB staff to make arrangements for Summit: The Gathering of Tennessee Baptists, umbrella event under which the annual meeting takes place. Normally meets three times during the year, plus the Monday of the annual meeting.
Committee on Audits
Examines audits of TBMB and Convention Institutions and makes a report at the annual meeting of the TBC. Normally meets once in February of each year.
Committee on Boards
Nominates persons to the Annual Meeting of the TBC as directors of TBMB, trustees of Convention Institutions, and members of the Committee on Committees. Normally meets three times during the year, plus the Monday of the annual meeting.
Committee on Committees
Nominates persons to the Annual Meeting of the TBC as members of all standing committees of the Convention (except the Committee on Committees). Normally meets three times during the year, plus the Monday of the annual meeting.
Committee on Constitution and Bylaws
Reviews the governing documents of the Convention and the Convention’s procedures for selecting directors of TBMB, trustees of Convention Institutions, and members of Convention Committees. Studies matters referred to it by TBMB, messengers, or other sources. Normally meets two times during the year, plus the Monday of and sometimes during the annual meeting.
Committee on Credentials
Confirms credentials of messengers attending the Annual Meeting of the TBC. Collects and counts ballots and reports results, including vote totals, to the presiding officer during the Annual Meeting. Normally meets virtually in October to review new churches and prepare for annual meeting, once on the Monday of the annual meeting, and then works in shifts during the annual meeting.
Committee on Resolutions
Receives, comments on, drafts, and recommends to the messengers at the Annual Meeting of the TBC any Memorials or Resolutions it may deem wise from among those referred to it by messengers. Normally meets twice during the annual meeting.
Historical Committee
Recommends appropriate measures for preservation of Tennessee Baptist history. Normally meets in February or March each year. B&R
Note: Visit TNBaptist.org/boardrec to access the Board Recommendations page.
