Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1955-01-22
0Iivet Baptist
Church Closes
Successful Year
By ONEIDA COCKRELL

Chicago, Ill.,, Jan. 17.-(Special)
In an atmosphere of Christian
fellowship, peace and careful de-
liberation members of the Olivet
Baptist Church held their annual
meeting Thursday evening, jan
uary sixth.
The downstairs auditorium which
seats over 800 people was prac-
tically filled. The spirit Of the
members assembled was wholesome
and positive as they engaged in
their work. All business was CON-
pleted in a record time of as min
utes. Reports given show that
during the year of 1854 Olivet
raised more than 100000. A SIM
liar budget was adopted for 1866.
Plans were announced for the be-
ginning of the building expansion
program; a goal of the church.
The auditors report given by
Mr.. Theodore Jones in person
showed all financial records in ex-
cellent order. Mr.. Jones was loud
in his praise Of the type of meet
ing conducted, stating it was one
of the finest meetings of its kind
he had ever attended, and that
such harmony and beautiful spirit
of fellowship among the members
of the church was gratifying.
The completion of the revised
constitution that had been pre-
scented at previous meeting took
place. The establishing of Per-
manent Council comprising the
Board of Deacons and Trustees,
Circle Presidents, and heads of all
departments was hailed as sound
organizational structure. This
group will have the task of put
ting into execution any program
adopted by the Church.
An ecclesiastical declaration
dealing with the separation of
Church and State was adopted. 1t
reads that; GAS a Christian fell
lowship, all members who unite
with Olivet Church accept the ma
jority rule of said Church, as the
final court from which they will
take no appeal. Believing in sepa-
ration of Church and State, men,
bers joining this fellowship waive
the right of ever appealing to the
civil courts of the land, to settle
any matters regarding their men,
bership in said fellowship, and any
pastor accepting the call will
pledge himself not to seek any
form of adjustment in the civil
court of the land. The establish
ing of this policy is a beginning
crusade to alert the church people
to the right of authority invested
in the Church, and likewise their
role in accepting and respecting
Church authority.
A similar measure was present
ed for study at the National Bap-
fist Convention in st. Louis last
fall, and will be voted upon in
Memphis in September, at the an
nual meeting. Olivet takes the
lead in writing such policy in its
constitution.
All trustees and deacons were
retained, and two new members
elected, Mr.. VIM. Leonard and At
torney Clinton Sims.
Olivet Church continues to move
forward! The spirit of Christian
fellowship within the Church men,
bership is a strong force. New
membership during 1854 was ap-
proximately three hundred. The
Sunday School growth has been
excellent, and was recently given
a plaque by the Chicago Baptist
Association, 10 North LaSalle, for
$3.50 increase in attendance for
the year. There is greater par
ticipation of membership in the to-
tai church program; and Olivet
is again operating debt free.
With a minister dedicated to the
will of God and his church Olivet
launches a crusade supported by
Olivet's church membership.
The reported disturbance that
occurred at the Olivet Church the
night of our annual meeting was
a disturbance that was outside of
our meeting. 1t took place among