The Great Commission Initiative (GCI) adopted by the state convention’s Executive Board in October will be voted on at the annual SCBC meeting in Columbia Nov. 15-16. The recommendations came from an Executive Board task force which had worked for two years on the proposal. The Courier published a story on the initiative and included the full motion by the Executive Board in the Oct. 20 edition. The task force, believing that some questions may still exist concerning the initiative, has submitted the following questions and answers.
Where did the Great Commission Initiative originate?
In the fall of 2003, members of the Executive Board began to take notice that the Empowering Kingdom Growth objectives that the Convention adopted in 2001 were not being reached. With only limited progress being made, and with Cooperative Program giving plateaued, the members of the Executive Board appointed a Task Force to undertake a study to see how we could stimulate our convention to become a stronger force for the Kingdom, and to help increase giving to the Cooperative Program. The Great Commission Initiative is the report of the Executive Board containing the recommendations designed to accomplish these objectives.
What are the main points of the Great Commission Initiative?
First, prioritize missions in the Cooperative Program. To accomplish this objective, the GCI is making three specific recommendations which, if adopted, will be phased in over five years: (1) that we increase the percentage of Cooperative Program money going to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) from 40% to 42%; (2) that we establish a CP Kingdom Fund within our state convention budget to promote missions, evangelism and to stimulate kingdom growth in our churches; and, (3) that we renew our efforts to increase giving to the Cooperative Program by personalizing the Cooperative Program.
Second, build on the strengths of our institutions. The South Carolina Baptist-sponsored institutions, with the exception of Ministries for the Aging, are in stronger overall financial health than at any time in recent history. The institutions have grown less dependent on Cooperative Program dollars as a percentage of their total budgets over the course of the last decade. The GCI calls for changing the percentage of Cooperative Program dollars going to our institutions from 26% to 21% over five years beginning in the budget year 2007. The funds freed up by this change will be used to increase the percentage of Cooperative Program dollars going to the SBC from 40% to 42% over 5 years, and to establish the Kingdom Fund. Increasing our missions giving through the Kingdom Fund, and sending more money to the SBC to support national and international missions, is designed to bring greater value to the Cooperative Program and attract more financial support from SC Baptists. In addition, the GCI calls for a revision of the process of nominating trustees to our SCBC institutions in a way that seeks to support the work of our institutions, and at the same time protect the interests of the convention in selecting trustees.
Third, stimulate greater involvement by pastors in the work of the SCBC. A network of pastors across our state will be developed to promote the work of the convention, to encourage and train new leadership (including lay leadership) and to bring new pastors into active participation in the work of our state convention.
Fourth, evaluate current convention programs and ministries in light of the priorities established in the new mission statement proposed for our convention. This evaluation will be done by the Executive Board, working with the Executive Director, once the convention has adopted the GCI.
Will this help the Cooperative Program?
Yes. The increased amount going to the SBC to support national and international missions, and the establishment of a Kingdom Fund will make the Cooperative Program a more attractive option for missions giving by SC Baptists. A recent survey of SC pastors found that greater focus on missions and evangelism was the number one suggestion for improving the value of the Cooperative Program. The Great Commission Initiative delivers on that widely expressed hope.
Will the Kingdom Fund compete with the Cooperative Program?
No. The Kingdom Fund as proposed will be a line item in the Cooperative Program budget. Without Cooperative Program giving, the Kingdom Fund will not exist.
For what purposes will the Kingdom Fund be used?
50 % – International Missions Partnership of SCBC: The requests for the international partnership will originate from the Regional Leader (IMB) and will provide resources on the field. The SCBC partnership will provide prayer support, volunteers from all across the state, and financial resources that will touch the lives of millions of lost people.
40% – SC Evangelism and Missions Projects: The types of projects envisioned here include evangelism campaigns, missions and church planting in high growth areas and among language groups that are currently not being reached.
10% – Kingdom-Oriented Leadership Training: The vision is to stimulate Kingdom growth by offering training for lay and staff leaders to connect to the mission of serving God’s Kingdom. The goal here is developing a new generation of Baptist leaders who will partner for the cause of Christ.
How will the Kingdom Fund be administered?
Within the percentage guidelines set forth above, recommendations for specific uses of the Kingdom Fund will be made annually by the Executive Director, the Convention President, and the Chairman of the Executive Board working together as a committee of three. Their recommendations will be sent to the Executive Board for their review and approval, and then to the convention for its approval at the annual convention. Once these recommendations have been adopted by the convention, the Kingdom Fund will be administered by the convention staff under the direction of the Executive Director. The Kingdom Fund monies will not be used to replace current SCBC programs or activities. The Kingdom Fund is designed to allocate more Cooperative Program support to the mission field at home and abroad.
How will this plan affect the staff of the Convention?
The fourth component of the GCI is to evaluate the current programs and work of the state convention in light of the priorities established in the new mission statement proposed for our convention. The key questions will be: “Is what we are doing effective?” and “Are there some things we are not doing that would be effective?” This evaluation will be done by the Executive Board and the Executive Director. Nothing in the GCI addresses individual staff members, or seeks to make recommendations about staffing decisions. Once that evaluation has occurred on a program level, it will be the responsibility of the Executive Director working with the Executive Board to make any decisions needed to support the work of the convention.
Who was consulted in the development of this plan?
From the very beginning, the Task Force has sought input from many sources, all of which have been helpful. These people have included: A) Pastors – The Task Force surveyed every pastor in South Carolina and held informal meetings with pastors statewide. B) Church leaders – Insight and leadership was sought from a variety of key lay leaders, board members, WMU and missions leaders, and Directors of Missions from around the state. C) Convention Staff Leadership – Dr. Driggers has served as an ex officio participant in the work of the Task Force and he provided invaluable leadership and insight in the process of developing the initiative. The whole convention staff was invited to meet with the Task Force for informal gatherings and their insights were incorporated into the planning process. D) Institution Presidents – Several meetings, numerous telephone conversations, emails and individual conversations were held by members of the Task Force and the Presidents of the institutions. From the very beginning of this process, the goal has been to work together for the good of the institutions and the Kingdom interests of the SCBC. E) National Leaders — The Task Force met with several leaders from outside the state, including representatives from LifeWay, the International Mission Board, and the Executive Committee in Nashville.
How does the Great Commission Initiative affect the institutions?
The institutions will be impacted in the areas of trustee selection and budget allocations from the SCBC. As stated, the percentage of total Cooperative Program dollars going to SCBC institutions will shift from 26% to 21% over five years beginning in 2007. The Task Force believes that with renewed emphasis on making the Cooperative Program stronger as a conduit for missions and evangelism, the institutions will in the long run receive as much money (or even more money) through the growth of overall giving to the Cooperative Program by SC Baptists. As the giving to the Cooperative Program increases year by year, the institutions will share in the increase on a percentage basis.
The second way the institutions will be impacted is by the introduction of a new relationship with the Nominating Committee in the selection of individuals nominated to serve as trustees for our institutions. For the first time, the institutions will be able to have up to 20% of their trustees consist of individuals selected by the president (including the possibility of Southern Baptists who live outside of SC), provided the nominees meet certain theological and practical criteria. In addition the Nominating Committee will, for the first time, organize itself into subcommittees to deal with nominating individuals to serve as trustees for our various institutions. These subcommittees will engage in discussions with the institutional presidents about all individuals who are being considered for nomination and election as trustees of our institutions.
In order to protect the interest of the convention in selecting trustees, under the GCI all trustees nominated to serve on the boards of a South Carolina Baptist institution must, for the first time, state that they are in agreement with the most recent version of the Baptist Faith and Message. As always, any and all trustees who serve our institutions must be elected by a vote of the messengers at the annual convention.
Will this plan “give away the institutions” by virtue of changing the trustee selection process?
No. The plan strikes a balance between honestly responding to the needs expressed by the institutional presidents, and the need of the convention to protect its interests in the trustee selection process. The proposed changes give the institutions more input in the selection of their trustees and it allows them the possibility to have committed Southern Baptists outside SC serving on their boards. At the same time, the interests of the convention are protected by virtue of giving the members of the Nominations Committee the authority to certify the qualifications of trustees suggested by the institutions, and by requiring all trustees to state their agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message.
How does the Initiative impact the pastors?
Pastors across the state will be invited and encouraged to join a network of SCBC pastors designed to stimulate the work of the convention, to encourage learning, and to stimulate kingdom growth in the churches. Over time, there will be learning opportunities that will be made available to lay people as well as pastors.
If adopted, when will the GCI take effect?
If adopted this year, plans will begin to be laid, and decisions will be made to start the implementation of the GCI. However, due to the process required to make changes to portions of our Bylaws (such as changing the process of nominating and electing trustees), it will take a subsequent vote of the Convention next year to amend our Bylaws and fully implement some of the proposals contained in the GCI. Part of the implementation process will be to educate SC Baptists about the potential for Kingdom advancement that will result from the Great Commission Initiative. More emphasis on missions and evangelism, greater support for Cooperative Program, stronger institutions, more involvement among pastors, a greater emphasis on God’s Kingdom-those are the bottom line goals for the Great Commission Initiative. At the Convention in November, you have the opportunity to voice your heart for the Kingdom.