1. Stays true to the original vision.
The Cooperative Program is an agreement among churches, state conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention to cooperate to conduct mission ministries in the United States and around the world. It is a channel through which our offerings flow to underwrite missions and ministries performed by more than 6,400 missionaries.
2. Enables Southern Baptist churches to present a common front of mission support.
The nearly 47,000 Southern Baptist churches across the SBC are stronger when they pool their resources behind one effort than they could ever be with each church working in its own way. Working together helps Southern Baptist churches witness to the unity of purpose which brought them together in 1845 to form the SBC.
3. Creates trust through an elected trustee system.
Southern Baptists owe a debt of gratitude to the many people who dedicate hours every year to studying the needs and making recommendations for equitable distribution of funds through the various boards and agencies of the SBC. These Convention-elected people serve without pay. Without them, the Cooperative Program would be less effective.
4. Assures equitable support of all agencies and institutions based upon need.
Formerly, the causes with strong emotional appeal got the most money. Now all are studied by committees, and recommendations are made to the convention in June of each year.
5. Controls overspending and indebtedness.
Prior to the adoption of the Cooperative Program in 1925, budgets for the mission boards, schools and other agencies were unpredictable. Frequently buildings were erected or services expanded based on estimated income that never materialized. Today, the agencies know at least a year in advance what they may expect.
6. Provides a way for the local church to engage in global evangelism.
Christ’s last words to Great Commission Christians were: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Cooperative efforts resulted in more than 226,000 baptisms last year, an average of more than 4,363 each week.
7. Motivates Christians to pray and give generously.
The success of the Cooperative Program-supported vision depends on commitment. The church cannot give that which it does not receive. Individuals should give worthily and use their influence to establish a worthy proportion of giving by their church. Both the individual Christian and the local church should reconsider its stewardship responsibility each year.
8. Channels funds for expanded missionary forces.
In 1925, the Foreign Mission Board employed approximately 500 missionaries. Today, there are more than 3,500. God has called men and women into this field of service, and Southern Baptist churches have been responsible for a significant increase in mission dollars. Tomorrow depends on today’s commitment.
9. Allows everyone to participate in the Great Commission 24/7/365.
“We are better together” is a reality as Southern Baptists, through their state conventions and SBC agencies, cooperate to take the Gospel to every person on earth, allowing every member and church to participate by growing in the grace of giving through the Cooperative Program.
10. Supplies the mysterious strength and stability that comes to most congregations when they focus on a cause which they cannot sustain alone.
God has blessed the Cooperative Program. Millions of lives have been blessed by being a part of what the CP has accomplished. Thousands of churches testify that a high degree of commitment to the support of world missions through the Cooperative Program has helped produce a greater desire to accomplish the Great Commission.
Adapted from Cooperative Program messaging from the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.
State Missionary Jay Stewart serves Alabama Baptists as director of the Office of Cooperative Program & Church Financial Resources. He may be reached at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 283 or 334-613-2283, [email protected].
