We welcome your desire to be a part of the Toledo Area American Baptist Association (TAABA). Please feel free to contact us during any part of the application process to aid and/or enable your completion of the form and requirements. A full application form can be found HERE.

Mission:

The mission of the Association shall be to advance the Kingdom of God by promoting fellowship and cooperation among the churches, by developing new churches, and by other means to which we are lead by the Holy Spirit.

Membership:

The membership of the Association shall be Baptist churches and other churches having Baptist constituencies cooperating with the Toledo Area American Baptist Churches/Ohio (ABC/OHIO), and the American Baptist Churches/USA. Membership of said churches shall be limited to churches completing the following requirements:

1. Applicant must submit a letter to the Association requesting membership into TAABA.
2. Upon receipt of letter from the church, the Association will send the application form which includes a requirement to provide a  theological statement to the applicant.
3. Upon receipt of the completed application form and any requested documents, copies should be given to the clergy who should meet to discuss, make a recommendation or approve application based upon findings. The Association may ask for clarification or more information.
4. Upon approval of the application, the Association must set up a meeting with the trustees and the applicant(s) to achieve approval from the trustees. Based upon the applicant’s theological statements, questions may be asked by the trustees.  After Q&A with the applicant (s), the applicant leaves the room while the trustees vote to approve or other.
5. Upon approval of the trustees, the TAABA Association and trustees must then vote collectively to admit the church.
6. Upon approval the applicant will be sent an approval letter for their files and a copy to be kept in the TAABA files.
7. ABC-Ohio will be sent a copy of application and used as a resource to guide process.

Upon acceptance into the Association, the applicant agrees to follow the by-laws and constitution of TAABA and American Baptist of Ohio/USA.

Are you ready to apply? CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL APPLICATION TO BECOME A TAABA MEMBER CHURCH!

Membership policies are based on the Toledo Area American Baptist Association Constitution and policies established by the American Baptist Churches of Ohio.

From the Constitution of Toledo Area American Baptist Churches Revised and Approved September 22, 2009:

ARTICLE III - Membership

SECTION 1. The membership of this Association shall be Baptist churches and other churches having Baptist constituencies cooperating with the Toledo Area American Baptist Association (TAABA), the American Baptist Churches/Ohio (ABC/OHIO), and the American Baptist Churches/USA.  Membership of said churches shall be limited to those churches meeting the following requirements:

(1a) An established church desiring membership in TAABA shall apply to the Board of Trustees of TAABA who will follow the “Guidelines for Churches Seeking Alignment” set forth by the ABC/OHIO.  See article 1X section 3d.

(1b) A new church start desiring membership must apply to the BOARD of Trustees of TAABA which will follow the policy statement by the New Church Development Commission and the “Guidelines for Churches Seeking Alignment” set forth by ABC/OHIO.

(2) After the church meets the requirements set forth in either Section (1a) or Section (1b) of ARTICLE III, the application will be voted upon by the Board of Trustees.

(3) Upon favorable vote of the Board of Trustees, the church shall be admitted into membership and the right hand of fellowship shall be given on behalf of TAABA.

From the Bylaws of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio (September 18, 2008 Revision):

RULE 3: CONSTITUENCY

Rule

3.2.1 A church shall be received into the Region and ABC/USA; or upon request, into the Region solely; by recommendation of the association to which it has applied and duly been approved. Each association shall implement its own requirements regarding acceptance of a church into the

fellowship of its member churches with counsel from the Region’s professional staff and with reference to ABC/USA’s “Common Criteria for a Cooperating Church” (see Appendix B of these Bylaws.) and/or ABC/OH’s Common Criteria for an Affiliating Church”(see Appendix C of these Bylaws).

APPENDIX B – Common Criteria for a Cooperating Church

The following “common criteria” shall serve as the minimal qualifications for a

Cooperating Church:

1.  Accept and publicize the purpose statement of American Baptist Churches in the USA (ABC/USA) and of the regional mission organization in which the church is located.

2. Participate regularly in programs and the ministries of ABC/USA at both the national and regional levels.

3. Utilize ABC/USA resources appropriate to the congregation’s needs.

4. Support the mission of ABC/USA by contributing a fair share of the congregation’s income (exclusive of building payments) to American Baptist Mission Support.

5. Provide reports on the forms supplied by the regional mission organization and/or the ABC/USA. From Standing Rules of ABC/USA: Rule 5.1 – Qualifications (Voted by  the General Board, December 1986)

APPENDIX C – ABC/OH’s Common Criteria for an Affiliating Church

The following “common criteria” shall serve as the minimal qualifications for an

Affiliating Church:

1. Accept and publicize the purpose statement of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio (ABC/OH) and of the association in which the church is located.

2. Participate regularly in the programs and the ministries of ABC/OH at both the regional and association levels.

3. Utilize ABC/OH resources appropriate to the congregation’s needs. 

4. Support the mission of ABC/OH by contributing a fair share of the congregation’s income (exclusive of building payments) to American Baptist Mission Support or in other appropriate ways. 

Purpose and Vision of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio (January 2012 Revision):

A Regional Mission Body • The American Baptist Churches of Ohio (ABC/OHIO) is one of 34 American Baptist Regions in the United States. This Region is comprised of approximately 260 congregations, 20% of which are ethnic minority, including African American, Hispanic American, Japanese American, Romanian, and Burmese. ABC/Ohio congregations are also diverse in location, size, and ministry focus.  Since its establishment in 1826 as the Ohio Baptist Convention, the Region has addressed mission needs both within Ohio and beyond. The Region office is centrally located in Granville, Ohio. Mission Statement: The American Baptist Churches of Ohio is an expression of the Body of Christ in this world, called to provide a network of resources, support, and fellowship, and to enable member congregations to implement shared ministries in faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our Mission and Vision • Our ministry mission is to “Rise Up and Build Healthy Congregations that Impact the World for Christ.”   Every ministry is designed to strengthen the local church or meet the needs of people beyond the local church context through shared ministries.

The Board • The Board of Regional Ministries is comprised of twenty people including five officers who are elected by delegates to the ABC/Ohio Annual Gathering in October.  The Board of Regional Ministries is responsible for establishing the overall policies and fiscal guidelines for the Region in accordance with its mission statement.

The Staff • The Executive Minister for ABC/OHIO is responsible for implementing the policies of the Region, managing its fiscal resources, overseeing all staff, and serving as representative of the Region. Other members of the team include three Regional Ministers and a Director of Core Services. Staff priorities include congregational development consulting and coaching,  providing pastoral care to pastors and their families, offering crisis counseling to pastors and congregations, assisting congregational search committees, offering conflict management advice and care, celebrating key moments with congregations, promoting shared mission, reviewing resources, and providing training.

ARMS • Associate Regional Ministers are volunteers who provide specialty ministry leadership in key areas of ABC/Ohio’s ministries, including pastoral care, youth ministries, and other ministries.  ARMS extend the ministry effectiveness of ABC/Ohio and support the Regional Ministers in their various ministries.

Committees • Board members, staff, and other volunteers also carry out ministry through service on various committees and task forces in the Region.  Current committees include the Finance Committee, Personnel Committee and the State Advisory Committee on Ordination.