The Cooperative Program is not an unfamiliar phrase in the world of Southern Baptists. Since 1925 this has been our beautiful and effective way of supporting missionaries and sharing the gospel around the world – the Great Commission at its finest.
Recently I have learned that for many churches during financial struggle, when the bills come in each month and choices have to be made, it is the Cooperative Program that is cut from the budget. And for many other churches, they believe their local and individual church ministries are more important.
I’ve heard it said from many pastors that the Cooperative Program is a dying art, but I believe those words are only spoken through ignorance. With a little bit of research, I found a compelling argument for the Cooperative Program and what it stands for. Here’s the breakdown:
You give your tithe to your Southern Baptist Church and then your church decides what portion to give through the Cooperative Program. A percentage then stays in state and the rest goes to the Southern Baptist Convention for support of North American and international missions, and our Southern Baptist seminaries. In your state convention this money supports evangelism efforts, children’s homes, volunteer missions, missions education, new churches, colleges and universities, collegiate ministries, and camps.
The International Mission Board uses this money to help support over 5,500 missionaries engaging 634 people groups of populations greater than 100,000 around the world. The North American Mission Board supports over 1,500 new church plants and more than 5,611 North American missionaries. Through six Southern Baptist seminaries the Cooperative Program has helped educate 18,744 pastors, missionaries and future church leaders since 2000. In the 30 days after hurricanes Ike and Gustav, Southern Baptist volunteers served 3.7 million meals, and 7,075 people have prayed to receive Christ through Southern Baptist chaplains. The list could go on and on.
When our churches stop giving through the Cooperative Program so they can afford to maintain their current budget, we are essentially taking our missionaries out of the field. We are leaving our future void of educated leaders, and we are ending the funding that shares meals and the gospel with people in need. Wouldn’t it be better for each church to cut back on administrative costs, forego fancy and expensive programs designed to keep believers comfortable inside their church walls and give to the areas that are spreading the message of salvation to a dying world?
It is time we go to our church business meetings and take an interest in how the money is being spent. Yes, the bills must be paid, but when it comes time to make a sacrifice, let us give up luxuries before we give up the Great Commission.
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