What Is Evergreen?
The Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches is an American Baptist Region of churches in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Venezuela and Washington working together by consensus and organized by ethnic caucuses.
What Is Consensus?
Description of Consensus by Rev. Dr. Marcia Patton
We reach consensus when all of us are ready to live with the decision we are making. We do not all have to endorse it wholeheartedly, but we must all be ready to agree not to work or speak against the decision once it is made. Until we come to that point, our tasks are to share our ideas respectfully, listen to each other with open hearts, and find together what God wants us to do.
Why Use Consensus?
· It leads to decisions that are more likely to be supported by everyone.
· It fosters the emergence of unanticipated, better solutions.
· It is more egalitarian and less patriarchal, and it promotes inclusivity.
· It encourages a collaborative spirit.
· It demonstrates the belief that everyone’s voice is important.
· It shows that the people in the room are more important than the decision in question.
· It embodies the belief that how we work together is as important as what we do.
What are Caucuses?
Caucuses are gatherings of Evergreen members within our association according to ethnic identity. Currently, they consist of the Black Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, Asian Caucus and Euro Caucus. Each caucus must be present to make a quorum in any decision regarding our association. Each caucus has equal voice and representation in all decisions which must be reached through consensus.
We all reach agreement through seeking God’s direction for the Evergreen Family of Caucuses. The people in the room are more important than the decision being made. We intentionally take the time to humbly listen to each other and respond to each other’s needs, desires and hopes. As we do this, we provide a testament to the world about what Christ-centered unity looks like.
Evergreen By-Laws
2014 Amended Evergreen Association By-Laws (pdf)
DownloadOffice Address:
409 3rd Ave S Ste A, Kent, WA 98032
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1044, Kent, WA 98035-1044
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