Is the Cooperative Program Dying?
Why ask the question? A few weeks ago I spoke with a bright, articulate, caring and committed young Seminary PhD student. This was a young man who had grown up in a Baptist family (his father is president of a Baptist institution), and he’s been a lifelong member of Southern Baptist churches. As we were talking, the subject shifted to the CP and the way that Southern Baptists support worldwide missions. I was somewhat flabbergasted (is that a word?) that he knew very little about the CP.
He listened carefully as I explained that the CP is Southern Baptists’ method of supporting missions and ministries’ efforts of state conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention. He was somewhat amazed to know that the majority of Baptist associations do not get their support from the CP.
I patiently and passionately explained how CP works: state and regional conventions retain a portion of church CP contributions to support ministry and missions in their areas and forward a percentage (different for different state entities) to Southern Baptist national and international causes. I explained that the amount of the distribution is set by individual states and regional conventions at their annual meetings.
I continued to explain some of the “workings” of the way the North American Mission Board worked closely with state convention partners in funding and supervising state missionaries. I wish that I had more time to talk with him as he seemed genuinely interested.
The most unfortunate thing about this conversation is that this young man’s CP knowledge or lack of it is symptomatic of a growing problem in our Southern Baptist convention churches. This is sad because it could be a sign that the CP may be dying---or at least be very sick.
Another sign that the CP is in trouble is a report just released by the SBC Executive Committee. The committee reported that as of May 31, year-to-date CP offerings are 2.74 percent below the same time frame last year. Add to this, there has been a continuing trend of local congregations giving less of their undesignated receipts to the CP over the last few years. Even though much of this year’s downturn could be contributed to our nation’s flagging economy, this trend down in percentage giving is the greater concern.
Other signs: State conventions scaling back their budgets (KBC staff is operating on a 92 percent budget for 2008-2009). This is true of the North American Mission Board (90 percent). And headlines this week are that the International Mission Board (IMB) missionary appointments are being scaled back due to the economy.
If that isn’t enough---designated giving that includes the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund, and other special gifts are 10.78 percent below gifts received at this point last year.
Again, the question that I started this post with: Is the CP dying? My fervent prayer is that it is not. But, the signs seem to indicate otherwise.
11 Comments posted by: Larry Baker on June 5th, 2009
