In Ergun Caner is a real ex-Muslim, I challenged the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to be wise stewards of God’s cooperative program resources and prayerfully consider if Liberty University is bringing God glory. I did this because I assumed that the SBC of Virginia was supporting Liberty University financially. I was wrong. Brandon Picket, Director of Media Services for SBC of Virginia has contacted me to correct my misunderstanding of the relationship between SBC of VA and Liberty University. Since 2000, Liberty University has been a ministry partner of SBC of VA, approved … [Read more...] about Liberty University, SBC of Virginia and Ergun Caner
Cooperative Program
Megachurch Missionaries and “Unnecessary Duplication”
This post is more of a question than a rant. Actually, it's not even close to a rant, so if you were wanting something like that, disappointment awaits you. I know that one of the major aims of the GCR movement is to eliminate what many feel are unnecessary duplications and everyone's favorite pinata, "bureaucracy." I would hope that any of us would see that requiring multiple layers of oversight by different entities can create a confusing and ineffective system, even when we might disagree on how to fix those issues. So, here's my question: I know of several larger churches that while … [Read more...] about Megachurch Missionaries and “Unnecessary Duplication”
Dr. Chapman, Dr. Rankin: Clash of the Titans
On February 10, Dr. Morris Chapman addressed the state executive directors in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho and made some comments that were critical of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force interim report. On March 8, Dr. Jerry Rankin wrote a blog which was very critical of Dr. Chapman’s report. Let me say a couple of things before I address this disagreement. First, both of these men have been favorites of mine for a long time. I am in agreement with Dr. Rankin’s passion for world missions and his desire to see the SBC participate in the bigger world of world evangelization. I got into … [Read more...] about Dr. Chapman, Dr. Rankin: Clash of the Titans
Denominational Reform The Odysseus Way (Why I’m Undecided About The GCR)
Undecided. That is as much as I can say about the GCR. I've read the blogs, heard the podcasts, and asked around - but I still don't really get it. Let's just say I'm coming to Louisville with a lot of questions marks. At face value, the GCR statement says some good things. About 90% of it would get a nod from any Southern Baptist. No SBCers are going to argue against the Bible, Jesus, and the Great Commandments. It's like preaching a hard point in your sermon. You get the people moving in your direction. You get the AMEN corner warmed up. Then at the decisive moment, you throw in … [Read more...] about Denominational Reform The Odysseus Way (Why I’m Undecided About The GCR)
CP Comeback In January 2009
Good news from Nashville today, the Cooperative Program giving has made up ground and is now close to budget (99.53 percent) after 4 months of this fischal year. The BP story is cautiously optomistic. Month-to-month swings reflect a number of factors, but largely result from the timing of receipts from state conventions. The end-of-month total represents money received by close of business on the last business day of each month. … [Read more...] about CP Comeback In January 2009
Acts 29 vs. the SBC (One Year Later)
As some of you may have seen, in December 2007 there was quite a commotion caused about certain SBC churches mixing "beer with [their] Bible." This was occurring in various ways, through Bible studies being hosted at bars, poker nights with BYOB notices, or simply just an open policy about a Christians right to brew and consume adult beverages. Many of these churches, it happened, also shared another common bond besides their affinity for alcohol: they were funded by the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. For those of you who don't know, Acts 29 is a loose association of church planters and … [Read more...] about Acts 29 vs. the SBC (One Year Later)
Does Cooperative Program = Missions?
This is the one question that kept coming up in yesterday's conversation. One commentator even asked, "When did the CP start describing itself as mission work?" Here are a few observations: The domain www.cpmissions.net definitely gives that idea. The title of the website is "Cooperative Program (CP) Missions" The about page states, "a God-given partnership of missions support was conceived—The Cooperative Program." Missions Home & Abroad? This was a second question that kept coming up. I wasn't able to find an authoritative definition, but my instinct is to think … [Read more...] about Does Cooperative Program = Missions?
How Much CP Even Gets To The IMB?
Lately, we have been looking into the best way to use our missions money as a local congregation. The more I learn, the less satisfied I become with the Cooperative Program as a "missions" funding tool. Attention LifeWay Research, I'm moving to the minority on this one. Here is the way the math works for our church. We give about $24,000 through the Cooperative Program. The Indiana Baptist Split is (64.5%) 15,480, and the SBC portion is (35.5%) 8,520. Once the money gets to Nashville, the CP allocations gives half (4,260) to the IMB and the rest to other causes (NAMB, Seminaries, etc.). … [Read more...] about How Much CP Even Gets To The IMB?
CP At 91.88% Of Budget After 3 Months
Baptist Press issued some figures about the pace of Cooperative Program giving over the last few months. We have seen hints that it was coming and today we get confirmation. The news wasn't good and we're 5% behind the 2008 pace. But the real headline was buried in the article. For the (2008-2009) SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget, the year-to-date total of $47,251,306.70 is 91.88 percent of the $51,429,208.50 budgeted to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America. Remember, the SBC operates on an Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fiscal year. So, these figures are … [Read more...] about CP At 91.88% Of Budget After 3 Months
2008-2009 Cooperative Program Budget Allocation
Earlier today I was looking for the breakdown of CP monies used by the SBC. I had to look through a 1300+ page PDF, but I found it at last. Since I had such trouble finding this data online, I thought it would be good to post it here in a usable format. This information was taken from the 2008 Annual of the Southern Baptist Convention. TOTAL BUDGET ALLOCATION $205,716,834.00 (100.00%) WORLD MISSION MINISTRIES $ 149,741,283.47 (72.79%) INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD $ 102,858,417.00 (50.00%) NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD 46,882,866.47 (22.79%) THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION MINISTRIES$ … [Read more...] about 2008-2009 Cooperative Program Budget Allocation