Memphis in late spring can be a muggy place. Let your imagination take you back to 1925 (yes, before air conditioning). Fifty-six hundred messengers were meeting inside the city’s brand new convention center for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Gary AndersonThe issue of the day was evolution and the national fight had been brought to the convention. A few messengers were edgy and short-tempered about it. The oppressive humidity did nothing to ease tensions.
However, 1925 was the year of a bigger issue. E.Y. Mullins presented the first draft of the Baptist Faith and Message from the committee. And there was another issue, and its approval would revolutionize the Southern Baptist Convention. With very little debate, the Cooperative Program was adopted after the presentation by M.E. Dodd. The messengers heartily approved with the following recommendation: “That from the adoption of this report by the Convention our cooperative work be known as ‘The Cooperative Program of Southern Baptists.’?”
It had started in 1919 with the 75 Million Campaign. The campaign sought to build on the spirit of unity and sacrifice manifested during the times. Southern Baptists supported various institutions and enterprises through the societal method prior to this. It was recognized that the societal system was proving to be inefficient, inequitable, and cumbersome for the churches and agencies. The money raised was woefully inadequate, and expense of raising it was high. The 75 Million Campaign would see $92,630,923 pledged by Baptists. Only $58,591,713 was collected, but it proved the upside of the plan:
– More missions’ funds were collected during the campaign than in the previous 75 years combined.
– Thousands of churches contributed to national and international mission causes for the first time.
– Churches began to consider the benefits of a unified giving plan.
Austin Crouch was elected the first president of the Executive Committee in 1927. A firm supporter of CP, he would see the success of the plan start growing in the first 20 years. The following remarks were made shortly before he died:
“The Cooperative Program is scriptural. The work supported by the Cooperative Program may be classified under three heads: missions, teaching, and benevolence.?-?The Cooperative Program is scriptural in its objectives and methods. Paul gave a fine example of cooperative effort. He had urged the churches in different sections to make contributions for the poor in Jerusalem, and the method of raising this money was according to the instruction found in 1 Corinthians 16:2: ‘On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save to the extent that he prospers, so that no collection will need to be made when I come’ (HCSB). The appeal of Paul and the Cooperative Program is to individuals and churches.”
After 83 years, we look back with thankfulness and amazement at what the Cooperative Program has accomplished. Two hundred three churches in South Carolina have surpassed $1 million in CP giving. Our records show that we have received $817,308,438 through CP giving. Thank you, South Carolina Baptists. As God blesses us locally, may we in turn be a channel of blessing to the whole world.
We have a history of a generous spirit among South Carolina Baptists. Experience Kingdom Life is designed to move us forward with an optimistic future that continues to bring honor and glory to God. I am glad that we continue to yearn for and involve ourselves in what God is doing.
Austin Crouch said more than 80 years ago, “It is still our unshaded conviction that the missionary spirit is still gaining ground, and the success of the Cooperative Program is one of the best proofs of its success.” Those words still ring true for us and future generations as we partner together to share Jesus Christ with our communities, state, nation and world.
If you need assistance or resources for CP month, call our office at the SCBC, (800) 723-7242 or (803) 765-0030, ext. 5202.
Anderson is director of the South Carolina Baptist Convention Cooperative Program and Stewardship office.