South Carolina Baptist Convention messengers, gathering Tuesday morning in Columbia for the convention’s 190th annual meeting, adopted a 2011 operating budget of $29.54 million.
The budget, adopted after an extended period of discussion, represents a reduction of more than 8 percent from 2010 and a decline of 13.6 percent from the SCBC’s high-water budget of $34.3 million in 2009.
The new budget, however, reflects an increase in the percentage of income that will be forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention (from 40.44 percent to 41 percent). Also, an amendment introduced by Alex Henderson, pastor of Neals Creek Baptist Church, Anderson, and approved by messengers would allow any funds received beyond the budget requirements to be allocated evenly among the SCBC’s seven member institutions.
“We are living in serious times,” Bill Gaines, chairman of the SCBC’s budget, finance and audit committee, told the messengers before the vote, referencing declining Cooperative Program giving from churches and a sagging national economy.
Gaines told messengers that although CP giving grew by 15 percent from 2000 to 2008, it fell 7.07 percent in 2009 and is on pace to decline by approximately 5.5 percent in 2010. The decline means $4 million less is available for CP work, Gaines said.
“If you are wondering how the Great Commission Resurgence will affect the South Carolina Baptist budget, at this time we don’t know all the answers and may not for several years,” Gaines said.
“Just as when times are good we come together to expand ministries and grow our institutions, when times are difficult we must come together in an even tighter circle to protect our unity and preserve our future,” he said.
“We ask that the messengers to this convention pray for the financial condition of our South Carolina churches, ministries and institutions to improve so that the glory of God may be revealed to the lost in this great state, country and around the world.”
The new budget does not include a pay raise for SCBC employees, Gaines said. He also noted that although no convention employees have been laid off, some positions that are vacant due to retirements or resignations are not being immediately filled.
The 2011 budget anticipates receipts of $29,400,000 through the Cooperative Program and $140,000 from cooperative gifts.
An amendment to freeze the percentage of monies forwarded to the SBC at 2010 levels failed by a 429-366 margin in a secret-ballot vote. Messenger Mike Gay, pastor of Greenwood Baptist Church, Florence, put forth the motion, saying many “do not understand” the details of the Great Commission Resurgence plan. “What effect will it have on in-state ministries?” he said. “Are we jumping on board before we see what’s best for our state?”
A motion to restore funding to the SCBC’s missions mobilization group to 2010 levels, introduced by David Bagwell, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Westminster, also failed.
During the morning session, 1,024 messengers were registered.