Billy Compton Interview Part II
In last week’s post, we heard from Billy Compton as he shared his history as a Kentucky Southern Baptist. We were also informed of the major step the KBC took over three years ago to begin addressing the decline of Cooperative Program giving that culminated with Billy coming on board of the KBC staff as the Executive Associate for Cooperative Program and Resources. This week’s post will continue the interview.
Larry: Billy, how would you assess the health of the Cooperative Program today?
Billy: The Cooperative Program needs attention. But, I consider the glass half full rather than half empty. Just because a physical body may have ailments does not mean that we give up on the body or consider it insignificant. We look for remedies. This is true for the spiritual body also as we are challenged to experience renewal. And it is true for the Cooperative Program.
I have travelled over 20,000 miles and conducted 30 meetings since last year. My assessment is that the CP needs attention. That reminds us it is making an eternal difference for Christ 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. It is a great investment. But, it needs attention. I have determined this intuitively, through numerous interviews, and looking at statistics related to the CP. We can back up to 1990 and determine that the Cooperative Program in Kentucky received 11% of all undesignated giving of the churches reporting. In 2008, CP giving had dropped to about 7%. That is a big gap. Yes, from the percentage support aspect, CP needs attention.
Larry: As you have shared, the Cooperative Program needs attention, especially on the giving side. Is the CP worth saving?
Billy: Absolutely. As I take a look at just one aspect, the portion that goes to the Kentucky Baptist Convention, it is important to understand about 90% of what we do as the Kentucky Baptist Convention is funded by Cooperative Program gifts. And I would remind you the lost in Kentucky are just as lost as those in North America or other faraway places in the world.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus says that we are to take the Good News to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world. We are to take the Gospel to our home area, our nation and around the world. Acts 1:8 is not a pyramid approach or a step ladder approach to ministry and mission work. The Acts 1:8 challenge is a simultaneous approach.
The best way I know that Acts 1:8 can become a reality in any size church is through the Cooperative Program. Two churches I pastored demonstrate the opportunities provided by the CP as faithful contributors to the CP. Severns Valley Baptist Church will soon reach the $10,000,000.00 mark in total CP giving. The Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Uno recently reached the mark of giving $1,000.00 a month to the CP. I am excited about the level of giving of both churches. They are both making a positive impact on carrying out the Great Commission. They are pro ud of what, united with other Kentucky Baptist churches, they are able to accomplish and the way they are reaching the world for Christ. They are grateful for training events and investments the KBC makes in assisting churches throughout Kentucky to be more effective. As they observe the impact of KBC ministries to churches, Campbellsville and the Cumberland Universities, Oneida and the other KBC-related institutions and agencies, they know they are part of those efforts due to the CP.
When they note the 5,400 NAMB missionaries and the 5,000 plus international missionaries, the church planting around the world and in North America, the reaching of people groups in the United States---and I could go on and on---all are m ade possible by the Cooperative Program. Both churches along with a vast host of Southern Baptist churches in Kentucky, are all significant contributors to this cooperative effort that continues to achieve amazing results.
I think of personal friends like IMB missionaries Ken and Beth Perkins and missionaries Rich and Susan Hutchinson who are laying their lives on the line for the cause of Christ everyday. These missionaries and thousands just like them are exactly why I affirm the CP. It is worth renewing our awareness of its effective and efficient means of doing the Great Commission. It’s our responsibility to support these missionaries and those like them in North America and around the world.
I do not wish to belittle the independent efforts of others in carrying out Acts 1:8. But, I strongly believe that to make the most difference for the Kingdom of God requires a strong Cooperative Program partnership. Many of our churches can do both, as Dan Summerlin at Lone Oak First Baptist Church in Paducah is demonstrating through strong support of the CP and personalizing Acts 1:8 missions that go above and beyond the CP.
Partnership is key. No large church can do it alone. No small church can do it by itself. We need each other. And the CP is an instrument that God has given Southern Baptists that has made our partnership of churches lead the world in the sending of missionaries.
Certainly CP needs attention. But, it continues be a mighty force in reaching out to the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we give the right consideration to supporting CP, it will continue to be used by God as a great force for His Kingdom throughout our world.
Next week in Part III of this interview, Billy will discuss his strategy and how he sees the future of the CP. He will also share some of his favorite stories about individuals impacted by the CP.
2 Comments posted by: Larry Baker on July 15th, 2009
