EC declines to appoint CP task force
During the final business session of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s Sept. 21-22 meeting in Nashville, Tenn., members declined to recommend the appointment of a task force to examine Cooperative Program giving, specifically regarding the possibility of allowing portions of CP dollars from each church to be designated to particular SBC causes. The Executive Committee stated that “such an action would undermine the continued viability of the Cooperative Program.” The EC also noted that “the Task Force on Cooperation (2000-2002) and the Cooperative Program Ad Hoc Committee (2002-2006) provided sufficient opportunities to examine this issue resulting in the definition of the Cooperative Program, which was approved during the 2007 SBC annual meeting.” The definition states: “The Cooperative Program is the unified plan of giving approved by the Southern Baptist Convention through which cooperating Southern Baptist churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of cooperative state, national and international missions, ministries and theological education.”
IMB appoints 60 new missionaries
Sixty new missionaries were appointed by the International Mission Board Sept. 16 at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. The appointees are being sent to four continents – 35 to Asia, 12 to Europe, 12 to Africa and one to the Americas, bringing the total number of Southern Baptist missionaries to 5,562. Southern Baptist missionaries are experiencing unprecedented victories in sharing the gospel around the world, said Gordon Fort, vice president of the IMB’s office of global strategy. Fort reported that in the past five years, thousands of people from Muslim backgrounds in South Asia have accepted the message of salvation.
25 more missionaries to be appointed
International Mission Board treasurer David Steverson told IMB trustees meeting Sept. 15-16 that more missionaries will be sent this year than originally planned, thanks to special offerings collected by Southern Baptists. In May, trustees were forced to reduce missionary appointments because of a shortfall in funding from the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The appointment of 69 long-term candidates and some 350 short-term candidates waiting to serve on the mission field was delayed. Now, about 25 of those 69 long-term candidates will be added to a group of 37 already slated for appointment in November.
Page praises GPS progress
Two years after then-SBC president Frank Page issued a challenge to the North American Mission Board’s leadership for a national evangelistic initiative, Page is happy with the development so far of GPS – God’s Plan for Sharing. But not yet satisfied, he notes there’s much more work to do. “The evangelism group at NAMB has done a fantastic job on GPS thus far,” said Page, president of the convention in 2006 and 2007 and senior pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church. “It has the elements we need for a 10-year strategy. GPS must be flexible, multifaceted, intentional and involve other entities like LifeWay [Christian Resources]. We just need to flesh it out and develop it more. The process isn’t completed yet, but is well on the way.” According to NAMB, the goal of GPS is to fulfill the Great Commission in North America by working to ensure that “every believer shares and every person hears by 2020.”
CSU listed as ‘military friendly’
Charleston Southern University is among 20 Baptist-related educational institutions selected for the 2010 list of Military Friendly Schools compiled by G.I. Jobs magazine based in Pittsburgh, Pa. “The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students,” a G.I. Jobs news release stated.
LifeWay leaders positive about 2009
The year 2009 can be an uncommonly good year in ministry for LifeWay Christian Resources, but the economic downturn will continue to challenge the organization in 2010, according to executives of the Southern Baptist entity in their reports at the Sept. 14-15 semi-annual trustee meeting. Chief financial officer Jerry Rhyne provided a candid appraisal of the business outlook: “The economy is a mess, and 38 percent of the nation’s chief financial officers do not expect the recovery to begin until at least April of 2010.” He added that consumer confidence continues to wane, and U.S. executives worry most about being able to forecast financial trends. Despite that gloomy outlook, Rhyne said LifeWay’s financial health is good, citing a strong balance sheet, no debt, a strong and diverse customer base and other key factors. LifeWay has budgeted no salary increases for 2010 and is holding the line on prices for most literature to help struggling churches.