Crocker is spokesman for the candidates.

The meeting, held at Gate City Church, Greensboro, was initiated by Crocker who reported that presidential candidates Jack Causey, Statesville, and Mac Brunson, High Point, were joined in the meeting by Mike Cummings, the only announced candidate for first vice president, and Allan Blume, who is seeking the second vice presidency against Crocker.

The 167th session Interviews with the candidates for president: (Sept. 27) Mac Brunson Jack Causey Candidates meet for agreement on 1997 presidential races (Sept. 27) James H. Royston, nominee for executive director-treasurer (Oct. 3) Messengers to make major decisions in 167th annual session (Oct. 11) Interviews with the candidates for second vice president: (Oct. 18) David Crocker Allan Blume The convention's program (Oct. 21) Interviews with the candidates for first vice president: (Oct. 25) Charlotte Cook Mike Cummings Candidates for president field tough questions from conservatives (Oct. 25) N.C. Baptist group homes to be proposed at BSC (Nov. 1) Biblical Recorder's circulation decline paralleled by other Baptist publications (Nov. 1)

All but Cummings were participants in the Committee of 20, a group of N.C. Baptist pastors equally divided between "moderates" and "conservatives," which met twice this year to find ways for better cooperation and unity among Baptists in the state, the Fayetteville pastor said in a release to the Recorder.

According to Crocker, "The candidates agreed that the work of the Committee of 20, as well as the Executive Director Search Committee, has encouraged many to believe there is a fresh opportunity to close ranks among Baptists in North Carolina and become more effective at kingdom work."

Four points of agreement were reached by the five candidates at the meeting:

1. "That we acknowledge we have differing views but share a common desire to see North Carolina Baptists work together on the many things on which we agree;
2. "That we will not engage in negative statements about each other or other persons who may become candidates for a Baptist State Convention office;
3. "That we are committing our trust to each other to implement the principle of shared leadership in seeking a balance in representation in Baptist State Convention appointments; and
4. "That we call on all North Carolina Baptists, especially those who may become candidates for office, to join us in promoting a spirit of trust and respect while seeking the best persons to serve the Baptist State Convention."

All five candidates are not incumbents in any office, and they are seeking the respective offices for the first time.

Phillip Davis, pastor of Nations Ford Church, Charlotte, and current first vice president, was expected to be an unopposed candidate for re-election, but his acceptance of a high-level administrative post with the North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, Ga., removes him from eligibility for the position since he will move from the state.