This article takes us back 1.5 years to show how resolutions are made in the BCC Federation, and provide insight into the role local church representatives play in this process.

By Nellie Owens with Anne Lea Krarup Nielsen

Pling. Pling. The numbers and names roll across the screen. More than 140 votes cast in unison for the newest updates and changes to BCC’s donation model.

Solidarity – An organizational goal

BCC has always worked for solidarity in decision-making: This is a goal for most organizations, as internal unity builds confidence and supports and encourages growth and momentum in a nonprofit setting. But unity in decision-making, and support for a final result, is not necessarily evidence of a quick, seamless process – or unchallenged ideas.

Let’s take a look back at some of the action that led to this moment.

T – 117 Weeks (January 2021)

For a long time, there has been a need to distribute costs more fairly among members and at the same time secure fixed income for BCC. It has been decided that BCC will be established as an international federation, and this means that something must also be done about the way the religious community is financed.

The representatives’ secretariat has been given a mandate to put forward a proposal to change the entire way in which gifts are given to the association. A tithe-inspired solution called “givertjeneste” – or “donation model” in English – is outlined.

This income-based model supports the financial plans and goals of local assemblies and initiatives proposed and accepted by members of the BCC Federation, while also taking into account the vast differences in individual member incomes.

[Previously, members contributed a fixed monthly amount that was independent of personal financial circumstances. The new donation model seeks to create sustainable finances for BCC, while also making things more equitable and fair for individual members and member churches in countries with varying purchasing power].

T – 104 Weeks (July 2021)

The new donation model concept is adopted by three Norwegian pilot churches. Before approximately 80 congregations can change their finances, thorough testing is required. Three Norwegian assemblies (BCC Drammen Sande, BCC Molde, and BCC Oslo-Follo) agree to participate in the pilot process, implementing the new donation model and sending feedback to the team working with the concept. The pilot program is set to last 12 months.

In order to ensure clear information is shared with members, a separate committee is established from the representative council, which will assist in answering questions and creating information-based material.

At this same time, 11 North American assemblies become voting observers at the annual Assembly of Representatives meeting. One of the representatives from the Seattle church is Amy, who we will meet shortly.

T – 92 Weeks (October 2021)

Local boards for the pilot churches meet up (at various times) to debrief on and discuss the new donation model. Individualized budgets are drawn up, based on local circumstances.

During the summer of 2022, the entire project will be evaluated, and all members will be asked to give input.

T – 73 Weeks (February 2022)

The committee working directly with the new donation model is in close contact with the boards of the test congregations and obtains feedback on an ongoing basis. Together, group members disseminate the feedback and consider necessary changes and adjustments.

As research and work on the donation model continues, the need to inform members and the public about the developing donation system also becomes more obvious. This same committee develops a series of informational packets, videos and webinars, and spotlights “givertjeneste” on BCC’s internal monthly broadcast, the Magazine.

Simultaneously, an internal podcast is released, providing more context around the model’s purpose, and information regarding local implementation.

T – 48 Weeks: (Summer 2022)

The 11 observing North American assemblies are voted in as voting members of the BCC Federation’s international Assembly of Representatives. BCC Connecticut and BCC Seattle join as extraneous pilot churches, choosing to include regional and international conference costs in their local budgets and test the new donation model as a whole.

In Seattle, several meetings are held with focus groups, including members from various target audiences. The purpose is to explain the new concept to local members, to gain a better understanding of what local members want to prioritize in the budget, and to gauge how much members are able and willing to contribute before the donation model is introduced in a formal budget meeting.

T – 40 Weeks – (October 2022)

In Seattle and Connecticut, the budgeting process commences and is shared with the whole church, locally: Members send in pledges for 2023, church income is estimated, and funds are cut and re-worked. There is a lot of “back and forth” to ensure funding is maximized for member use, and many changes are made.

“In CT, we had open discussions about the implementation of the new donation model with many questions being asked publicly – but a number also privately,” shares Solveig Holm Anderson, a member of the finance team in BCC Connecticut.

“For example, members wanted to know how BCC Federation uses the funds which are paid to them via the fee of 3.5% of all local donations. Members were then informed as to how these fees are used, which includes the funding of church arrangements in Norway, the funding of providing digital content worldwide via our BCC Media app, in addition to the covering of administrative expenses associated with the BCC Federation organization. I think that by showing clear information on the use of these funds, it created a sense of investment on a very personal level and a sense of ownership.

“Another member wanted to ensure, the basis of income which is used for the percentage calculation is not benefitting business owners over employees here in the US. This was a valid point and as a result the guidelines for calculating the base have been adjusted. The whole point was to make the donation process a lot more fair, and the verse in 2 Cor. 8:15 really was an inspiration for the model: The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’ (NIV)

“Overall, we tried to address all concerns that were voiced both publicly and privately about the donation model. Since this was a completely new way of donating for the entire church, it felt at times as if we were building the plane while flying it: We found a lot of sites for improvement and new discussion. And the feedback we received was really valuable to this process, helping to improve the model.”

T – 30 Weeks (December 2022)

The new donation model and budget goes to local U.S. pilot assemblies for vote. New autodeducts are discussed, and local members ratify the changes. After several conversations and feedback sessions, both local assemblies experience nearly 100% voluntary member participation. Shortly after, local boards meet together to begin implementing the new model.

Many other local churches, worldwide, also opt into the new donation model at this time, and the feedback process continues with members of piloting churches.

T – 16 Weeks (April 2023)

The Assembly of Representatives is scheduled to discuss and ratify changes to the donation model, based on pilot data and new organizational needs. In the round of questions that takes place between the case documents being sent out and the meeting itself, input based on experiences in different congregations is sent in. Several concerns are expressed, as well as questions posed over elements of proposed changes.

T – 8 Weeks (May 2023)

In May, a memo is sent out that describes the proposed framework of the donation model, based on feedback received. 26 consultation points from local churches are factored in, contributing to the improved final model that will be presented to the supervisory board on July 15th.

T – 4 Weeks (June 2023)

Case documents for the meeting are sent to local reps for review. Discussion continues locally, and financial boards deliberate over program changes and meeting points once more before the upcoming Assembly of Representatives Meeting.

Present Day (July 2023)

It’s now July 15th, 2023. The hall is filled with 163 voting members and 300 observing members. Dozens more follow along online. Representatives now have the opportunity to vote on the ratification of several updates to the donation model.

As the votes roll in, and the donation model changes are ratified, it’s clear that these votes represent more than solidarity: They also represent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of work, discussion, and collaboration between members across an international organization – a testament to the positive results that come from member dedication to a common goal.

Amy, a representative from BCC Seattle, explains what she thinks about the outcome and process:

“I see it this way…,” Amy shares. “When I vote, I feel confident that we have thoroughly worked through the decision points. I’m personally responsible to make sure that I represent my local church well in these referendums, and that my vote is based on what we believe will be for the good of the whole Federation.

“Before any vote happens, we go through the points with the various groups that have decision-making responsibilities for those items at the local church level. We talk through everything. We air our concerns and give feedback to the Secretariat. I feel that we have to give it. The Federation can only make decisions with the info they have. Circumstances and laws in the US can be very different from Norway, so these are conversations that we have to have.

“When I see how much work goes on behind the scenes to create the initiatives we decide on, it gives me a lot of confidence in our direction. We see the vision: The end result is that the church has sustainable finances, finances that will allow more people all over the world to hear and experience the gospel.

“Our ultimate mission is to spread the gospel. Many of the initiatives that BCC Federation is working with note this in their core mission statements. This is a result that we all want, so even though there may be some differences of opinion along the way, when it’s time to vote, it’s easy to support this.”

Felicity has a background in singing and playing several instruments. She attended the training to assist the music groups, and when asked about the goal for such a training weekend, she replied; “We really want to inspire the next generation and spark an interest and desire in them to use their skills to elevate the music here.”

On the morning of the main event, I took a seat with my plate of food and studied the participants surrounding me. They were varied. American and Canadian, familiar and new, bright-eyed and gray-haired, analytical types and artistic counterparts. Some had years of experience while others were complete beginners, excited to learn. But despite our differences, we were all there for the same reason: we came to develop a technical or artistic skill to further God’s Word and Christianity. 

I took a seat in the packed hall for a brief kickoff, the light hum of conversation around me. A short service was given before a thought-provoking demonstration showing the importance of media, audio-visual devices, and music in helping to convey the message of the Gospel both on a local level and out on the mission field.

Frank, an energetic Dutch expatriate who has more than a decade of experience in AV, started the demonstration by reading some words from a song out of the songbook, “Ways of the Lord.” The words were good, but as he pointed out, they didn’t necessarily touch the heart of the listener just by reading. The lines were written to be put to a melody, so he then asked a vocalist, Liz, to sing a verse a cappella. The melody added emphasis in the right places and she sang well, but there was still a puzzle piece missing. 

“No goosebumps yet?” Frank said. “Okay. Let’s continue adding layers.”

Liz continued, this time with a backing track; the instrumentation lended backbone and power. She sang another verse and I caught auditory effects like reverb over her voice which added depth and silk.

Then the AV experts unleashed years of honed craft; what was once a well-illuminated hall became a concert stage with Liz in the spotlight. Vibrant back lights shimmered with flavor. Two large screens accentuated the lyrics. Along with everybody else, I was struck like a boxer in the knockout round when it was over.

Someone in the audience raised their hand and exclaimed, “Goosebumps!”

Frank resumed his place behind the podium. “Liz sang well, but she’s just the person we saw performing,” he pointed to the back of the hall where the AV crew operated. “It took several people to run the sound, the lighting, and the screens to bring out the depth in this song. It takes an entire team, and if we were missing any of these components, the message of the song couldn’t have been properly expressed. That is the reason we’re here this weekend.”

Armed with a new perspective, the group broke up to go to their elected breakout sessions, and I joined the other musicians. Most of the breakout sessions began with a training phase designed to equip beginners with a basic understanding of the subject. This was usually done by a combination of demonstration or presentation, and once the trainees had a grasp on the fundamentals, they were encouraged to practice with hands-on experience. 

The orchestra practiced pieces together, and the AV lighting crew created fixtures and programs for various occasions. The photographers learned some shot basics before mixing in focus, spacing, and exposure. Those operating video cameras cut between shots and filmed an impromptu karaoke show. 

In the digital musicians’ space, I was greeted by silence, but when I saw the musicians were wearing headphones, everything made sense. Getting to hear a few of their masterpieces made it entirely worth the initial confusion.

When I had the chance, I chatted with a few people responsible for organizing and constructing these courses. Luke is a music teacher and can play more instruments than most people know exist. I wondered about how much effort he had put into arranging the orchestral music program; he admitted it had been time-consuming, but seeing the hard work pay off far eclipsed the effort put in. “Let’s just say I’ve missed a few hours of sleep recently, but it’s all worth it. Working with others who are so enthusiastic for God’s Word has been a blast as well as personally reinvigorating.”

Several participants were inspired to refine their musical craft and involve themselves more. Sylvia, a clarinetist who traveled from Canada to learn vocal recording and play in the orchestra, was inspired to support her local church: “Our studio back at home doesn’t get used enough so we’re going to amp it up. I’m also going to start playing clarinet in our Sunday services.” 

The breakout sessions lasted through the afternoon, and that evening, when we were all dressed our spiffiest, we toasted to our accomplishments. Accompanied by good food, God’s Word, and games that raised laughter to the roof, we were treated to a talent show of the achievements of various groups. The orchestra and choir shared the stage for a few songs, and the photographers presented a slideshow of their captures. We enjoyed a collaboration from the video team and digital music participants: a short video using music made earlier that day. 

Selina is a young technician who had her first exposure to AV during this event. She was on a high, running point as the video mix director during the event: “I’m in charge of the whole broadcast– they actually trust me with it!” 

Breakout sessions concluded the following morning with a final session. While the first sessions were intended to teach handlebars from pedals, this session was simply meant to be fun. It was a chance to goof off, take funny pictures, and create crazy light shows. It was a chance to use new skills in a creative and free environment.  It was a chance to enjoy the company of new friends who shared similar interests.

Wandering through the sessions, I couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiastic and artistic atmospheres. I chuckled – and winced – at the puns supported by sound effects from the AV crew. From a safe distance, I watched photographers immortalize each others’ wild hairdos, stoic motifs, and vintage outfits. 

I asked participants Sean and Kaden – who both drove over 350 miles and crossed an international border to be here – if it was worth the journey. They both answered without a hint of hesitation; “Yes. Always. Definitely. There’s no question about it.”

In its entirety, the training weekend was intended to broaden horizons and skill sets as well as encourage young people to get involved in their local churches and communities. After seeing the energy, creativity, and enthusiasm invested in improving our media, I have no doubt this was achieved. I’m excited to see the elevated quality of music, AV, and media in the near future.