I. Prioritize Missions in the Cooperative Program
A. Establish the Kingdom Fund
The Kingdom Fund will support kingdom activities in South Carolina and around the world based upon criteria outlined below. The fund would be made possible by adjusting institutional funding to 21% of the total budget (from the current 26%) over a five-year period. Other budget savings may add to the Kingdom Fund as well. The Kingdom Fund would (in addition to already budgeted mission activities) go to the following:
1. 50% to the international missions partnership
2. 40% to SC evangelism and missions projects
3. 10% to SC initiatives in training kingdom-oriented leaders
B. Increase SBC missions causes to 42%
The South Carolina/Southern Baptist Convention budget split for Cooperative Program is currently 60/40. The goal is to increase the percentage going to the SBC from the current 40% to 42% over a five-year period. Of every CP dollar given in South Carolina this year, 60 cents stays inside our state. Under “Great Commission Initiative,” the increased SBC allocation will move more CP dollars to SBC mission causes, and the Kingdom Fund will add another significant amount going to international missions through our partnership.
C. Personalize missions in the Cooperative Program
To capitalize on the strength of the Cooperative Program, the personalization of missions is a must. Missions partnerships have personalized CP to hundreds of thousands of volunteers from South Carolina. With more visible CP dollars going to missions, the Kingdom Fund will provide greater support at the local level for CP.
II. Build on the strengths of our institutions
A. Fund institutions at 21% of the total Cooperative Program Budget
Among all Baptist conventions, state convention-supported institutions are funded at an average of 21%. This amount allows for significant support for the institutions, while still leaving a large share of the total CP dollars for missions support. South Carolina Baptist institutions are largely healthy and well-established, and each serves the mission of the SCBC with distinction. Funding institutions at 21% would free 1.7 million of CP dollars for the missions activities of the Kingdom Fund and the SBC.
B. Establish a more cooperative nominations process
The current nominations process does not always address specific institutional needs. The plan calls for a two-fold adjustment in the nominations process.
1. The CEO of the institution would be able to appoint 20% of trustees (this would typically mean one of five elected each year). This appointment would be based upon clearly defined standards and subject to certification by the Nominations Committee. This would allow, based on language from the By-Laws committee, the CEO to choose a cooperating Southern Baptist person (possibly from another state), someone who could provide substantial help to the institution by serving as a trustee.
2. The Nominations Committee would be divided into sub-committees for each institution. The sub-committee and the CEO would create a more cooperative process for trustee selection while the Nominations Committee would still retain the ultimate authority to nominate all trustees and will assure the theological and philosophical direction of our institutions is not compromised.
III. Stimulate greater SCBC involvement among pastors
A. Establish networks of pastors to promote the work of the Convention
B. Inform, encourage, and train leadership
C. Work to bring new pastors, young leaders, to the table as a result of the Kingdom vision
IV. Evaluate current convention programs and ministries
A. Address the needs of the state in light of our purpose statement
B. Assess the strengths of existing programs/ministries
C. Conduct evaluations of our work in light of needs and strengths
D. Establish or refine ministries based upon purpose statement
E. Budget and allocate staff resources in order to fulfill the purpose