FBNN Report, April 6, 2008
Newscaster: Good Morning, this is FBNN (First Baptist News Network) reporting from the First Baptist Church in the City of Williamsburg, KY. This network was formed for the purpose of sharing with the church highlights of the 125th Anniversary Year.

Baptist churches have a long history of connecting to and working with other churches of like faith and/or similar purpose. These organizations may be called associations, alliances, conventions, or councils. Since Baptist churches are autonomous, there is no authority of any of these relationships which can control the local church. Last week the News Release #4 featured the relationship of FBC with the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). This connection has helped members to be aware of the needs of the world.

In the local area the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg is a member of the Williamsburg Ministerial Alliance. The Alliance promotes goodwill between the churches of several denominations in the Williamsburg area. Activities include community worship services at Thanksgiving and on Good Friday. Also, the Alliance assists in coordinating relief to the needy who live in or pass through Williamsburg.

Southern Baptist churches often form local associations of Baptist churches of like faith and order. Two years after the organization of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, the Church was a major participant in the formation of the Mount Zion Baptist Association in 1885. From 1894-1954 the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg was the largest church in the association. The leadership of First Baptist Church and Mount Zion Baptist Association chartered Williamsburg Institute in 1887. Classes began in January 1889. (In 1913 the name was changed to Cumberland College, and in 2004 the name was changed to University of the Cumberlands).

When the Mt. Zion Baptist Association was formed, there were ten churches. The number of churches in the Mt. Zion Baptist Association and the size of the membership in the churches continue to change almost every year. In some years there have been 40 participating churches. After participation for 106 years, in 1991 the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg ceased to be a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Association.

The participation of First Baptist Church in the Mt Zion Baptist Association is described in fuller details in the printed copy of NEWS RELEASE #5. You may pick up a copy when today's service is over.

Partial list of participants in Mt. Zion Association by
members of First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, KY

HOST CHURCH FOR ANNUAL MEETING
1886, 1903, 1916, 1919, 1926, 1939, 1953, 1961, 1978

CHAIR OF BOARD
1914-18 Pastor Elijah Wright
1927-30 Thomas Breck Mahan
1933 Pastor Alfred Paul Bagby
1947 Pastor Herbert C. Gabhart
1953 Pastor Clyde Freed
From 1885-1991 there was one or more church members who served on the Associational Executive Board each year.

In addition, many Church members have served on associational committees and served in other leadership roles. In addition to the Annual Meeting, many associational meetings and workshops were held at the meetinghouse of the First Baptist Church.

ASSOCIATIONALISM
A study of the Baptist associations in the Commonwealth of Kentucky reveals interesting data.

In the urban areas of central and northern Kentucky there is a cooperative spirit that promotes the inclusion of all Baptist churches in the area (usually the county unit). These churches believe that there is strength in combined efforts of all Baptist churches. These associations promote mission education, mission outreach, and the strengthening of all churches in the association. There is unity with diversity.

In the counties of southeast Kentucky the work of the associations is very different. There is a strong emphasis on a body of common beliefs. Associations have differing views on many questions of Biblical interpretation and Church practice. Some associations have dismissed nearly half of its churches at one time in history, and later strived to restore those churches to the association. These associations promote doctrinal purity and correct practices.

For many years Whitley County had the distinction of being the only county in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with three associations (East Union, South Union, and Mt. Zion). Today these three are organized as two (East Union and South Union/Mt. Zion). The majority of the counties of Kentucky have only one association.

The 125th Anniversary Committee is interested in any corrections to the news releases and additional information or stories. If you have corrections or additions, please contact George Ramey (email: gramey@ucumberlands.edu) or the church office (phone: (606) 549-0280, email: fbcwoffice@bellsouth.net).