The Thought Occurred To Me

By Bob Mills

February 2010

As far back as I can remember the Cooperative Program (CP) has been synonymous with Southern Baptists. CP has separated us from other mission sending organizations in that our churches contribute a percentage or dollar amount of their offerings to support national and world missions. The genius is churches contributing collectively to support this massive mission movement. I have always heard it said.”We are stronger together than what any individual church can do independently.” I believe that to be true.

What happens to the CP funds when they are given by the churches? The CP offerings are sent to the state convention. The Kansas-Nebraska Convention, for example, sends 32% on to the Executive Committee in Nashville for distribution. The following represents the approximate percentage distribution from the Executive Committee: Of the 32%, 50% is sent to the International Mission Board, 22% is sent to the North American Mission Board, 22% is sent to our six seminaries and 6% to Religious Liberties Commission and operation of the Executive Committee.  The remaining 68% of the CP stays within the state convention to support the work of state and associational missions.  Some of the ministries would include;  Evangelism Training/GPS, Church planting (Anglo and Ethnic), Church Health, Disaster Relief, Webster Conference Center, Super Summer, In-Depth, Coaching ministries, Sunday School/Discipleship, Worship Arts, Partnerships’ (Canada, Arkansas, Portugal), Baptist Foundation, Women’s Ministries/Wonderful Weekend for Women, Hispanic Festivals…etc.

What is important to remember about 80% of our conventions budget is in people and the support of people.  Along with the North American Mission Board, the local associations and the state convention, together we are supporting approximately 115 missionaries. These would include our local directors of missions, church planter strategists’(Anglo and Ethnic), church and community missionaries (urban strategists),  campus ministers and church planting missionaries.

We are strategically placed here in the Great Plains among 4.5 million people with a God sized task to bring HOPE and HEALING to the lost and suffering. We have the answer…it is found in the person of Jesus. 

Send this Article to a Friend






Return to top