A Sacred Trust.
A Serious Responsibility.
A Shared Mission.
Trustees play a vital role in safeguarding doctrine, stewarding resources, and ensuring that Southern Baptist entities remain faithful to their assigned ministry purposes. Whether you are currently serving, preparing to serve, or exploring what trustee service involves, this training provides a clear, accessible foundation for understanding the calling, responsibility, and expectations of an SBC trustee.
Please Note: This training is self-paced and hosted by Lifeway’s Ministry Grid platform. A Lifeway account is required to access the free training.
Why Trustees Matter
Southern Baptists are a cooperating people. We voluntarily work together to support missions, theological education, ministry training, compassion ministries, and Gospel witness around the world. Trustees are entrusted with guarding that cooperation.
Trustees do not manage day-to-day operations. They do not represent personal platforms or individual churches. They serve as fiduciaries—acting on behalf of the Convention to ensure each entity fulfills its mission with integrity, accountability, and faithfulness to our shared convictions.
This role requires humility, wisdom, courage, and a deep commitment to the churches that give sacrificially through the Cooperative Program.
Who This Training Is For
This trustee training is designed for:
- Current SBC trustees, including newly elected members
- Incoming trustees, preparing for their first term of service
- Prospective trustees, prayerfully discerning future nomination
- State convention leaders and pastors, seeking clarity on trustee responsibilities
Each section is structured to be practical, biblically grounded, and accessible—regardless of prior denominational experience.
What You’ll Learn
This training walks through the essential pillars of trustee service, including:
- The Responsibilities and Functions of SBC Trustees
Understanding authority, accountability, and fiduciary duty. - Governing Documents
How the SBC Constitution, Bylaws, and entity governing documents shape trustee decisions. - Business and Financial Oversight
Stewardship, budgets, audits, and long-term sustainability. - Ministry Assignments and Entity Purpose
Why clarity of assignment protects cooperation and mission focus. - Board Meetings and Trustee Conduct
Expectations for preparation, participation, confidentiality, and unity. - Managing Information Wisely
Faithful communication, discretion, and trust in a connected Convention.
Each section includes short teaching videos and brief explanations designed to inform without overwhelming.
A Word to Those Considering Trustee Service
Many Southern Baptists are nominated to trustee service before they ever fully understand what the role entails. That is not a flaw—it is why training matters.
If you are prayerfully considering trustee service, this training offers clarity, not pressure. It will help you understand the expectations, time commitments, and spiritual weight of serving well, long before a vote is ever taken.
Trustee service is not about influence. It is about faithfulness. Trustees serve best when they remember:
- This work is ultimately accountable to the Lord
- Unity matters more than personal preference
- Transparency builds trust across the Convention
- Decisions made in boardrooms ripple into churches and mission fields
- Trustee service is an act of obedience, not ambition.
“Now it is required that those entrusted with a commission be found faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:2 (CSB)
How to Get Started
- Create or login to your Lifeway account
- Follow the link below to be assigned the training course
- View the trustee training videos in order
- Review the recommended governing documents
- Reflect prayerfully on the responsibilities described
- Complete the training at your own pace