By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the September 2023 financial summary, Oct. 4, reporting that monthly gifts to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program and via designated giving were down 1.95 percent and 4.13 percent, respectively, compared to September 2022.
Year-to-date giving through both funding channels was also below 2022 levels:
— From Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023, total SBC CP contributions were 4.29 percent lower compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year.
— Likewise, combined designated giving was 2.90 less for the same months, with both of the two largest designated funds down compared to last year. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering was off 4.38 percent, and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering was lower by 0.22 percent (less than one-quarter of a percentage point).
LBC Giving
The national report showed monthly giving by Louisiana Baptists to SBC causes in September was up 6.73 percent through CP and 3.72 percent for special offerings.
The yearly data was similarly positive. Louisiana Baptists’ 2023 contributions were higher by 1.50 percent through the CP and 9.36 percent via designated giving.
