For the first time in eight years, the Southern Baptist Cooperative
Program failed to surpass the previous years total.
Giving through the Southern Baptist Convention giving plan
reached $176,962,402 during the 2000-2001 fiscal year that closed September
30. That total represents the second-highest mark in history.
For the first time in eight years, the Southern Baptist Cooperative
Program failed to surpass the previous years total.
Giving through the Southern Baptist Convention giving plan
reached $176,962,402 during the 2000-2001 fiscal year that closed September
30. That total represents the second-highest mark in history.
The final tally also surpasses the denominations budget
by almost $9 million (5.3 percent).
However, the total falls about $1.3 million (0.8 percent)
short of the total from the previous fiscal year. That showing comes after
seven consecutive years in which receipts exceeded the previous years
total.
Prior to 1991, the Cooperative Program had enjoyed 57 consecutive
years of increased annual giving. However, receipts fell below the previous
years total for three straight years (1991, 1992, 1993) before beginning
the string of seven straight increases.
“I know I speak for our missionaries around the world
and students enrolled in our six seminaries when I say, Thank you,
to all Southern Baptists for their faithfulness in giving even in the midst
of an economic slowdown,” SBC Executive Committee President Morris Chapman
said.
“The recent attacks upon the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon have jolted all Christians into a greater sense of urgency as
we have been reminded that now is the accepted time; behold now is the
day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2),” he continued.
“This is not an hour for a ministry pullback. It is
a time for doubling our efforts to spread the gospel here at home and around
the world.
“This will only be possible to the degree we support
these efforts with our tithes and offerings through the Cooperative Program.”
Chapman noted that while Cooperative Program funds fell short
of last years total, designated gifts for the convention totaled $170,947,075,
an increase of about $7.7 million (4.7 percent) from last years total.
In addition to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International
Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions,
designated contributions for the denomination include the Southern Baptist
World Hunger Fund and other special gifts.
Meanwhile, Cooperative Program funds originate in local churches.
A portion then is sent to state convention for use at that level. State convention
then forward a portion to the Southern Baptist Convention for national and
international missions and ministries.
For September, Cooperative Program gifts totaled $16.3 million,
an increase of about $922,000 (6 percent) percent more than the previous Septembers
total.
Designated gifts totaled $4.1 million for the month, a little more than $1
million (32.8 percent) ahead of last September. (BP)