Dennis Wilkins, chairman of the Budget, Audit and Finance Committee, recommended a 2010 budget of $32,180,000. After some discussion, messengers voted to approve the budget.
David Anderson, chairman of the Executive Board, gave updates on two items of business carried over from the 2008 annual meeting. The Executive Board approved a recommendation to evaluate the feasibility of a multi-site annual meeting, and announced that a committee will examine the scenario and give a report at the 2010 annual meeting. The second recommendation was to research the creation of a residential care facility for developmentally disabled adults. A study committee will report on this motion at the 2010 annual meeting.
During the budget discussion, a motion was made to instruct the Executive Board not to contract with any outside consultants for business matters for 2009-2010. Messengers approved this motion with a ballot vote.
SCBC executive director-treasurer Jim Austin introduced Marshall Fagg, associate executive director of the evangelism and missions team, who presented “God’s Plan for Sharing” (GPS). GPS is a 10-year initiative through the North American Mission Board designed to fulfill the Great Commission and involves prayer, educating, and equipping South Carolina Baptists to share their faith, and intentional discipleship for new believers.
Gary Anderson, director of the Cooperative Program and stewardship office, reported on the status of statewide giving. As Wilkins reported, by August of this year Cooperative Program giving was about 6 percent behind for the 2009 budget. – SCBC