Updated Wednesday, March 12, 2008

CP higher through February, but trails budget

By Norman Jameson

BR Editor

Cooperative Program (CP) gifts from churches for missions through the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) are up 4 percent through the first two months of 2008, according to figures released by BSC comptroller Robert Simons.

Because gifts fell short of budget in 2007 and because the 2008 budget is 3.3 percent higher than in 2007, increased giving still falls short of budget. BSC Executive Leader for Business Services John Butler reported to the Executive Committee that he is grateful for the giving level, considering the "significant migration" of churches from BSC Giving Plan C to the missions budget of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina (CBF-NC).

Gifts through Plan C are down 17 percent, or $54,968. Since 2006 CBF-NC has promoted its own missions budget, which includes support for agencies and institutions supported through the BSC. CBF-NC receives no funds from Plan C. The 10.5 percent of Plan C gifts for missions beyond North Carolina go to CBF national.

Plan D is up $196,383, or 25.2 percent over 2007. It is still less than one-third the size of Plan A, but has been growing far more rapidly than any other plan.

Plan D allocates just 50 percent of gifts for distribution to ministries of the Convention. Plan A calls for 66 percent of gifts to be distributed through the BSC, while Plans B and C provide 68 percent. So as Plan D grows over other plans, less money actually is available for distribution to BSC agencies, institutions and program areas.

Instead, Plan D adds an additional 5 percent for Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute and more money for North Carolina and international missions partnerships.

Plan A, the first and largest plan, is up $108,702, or 3.3 percent through February, to $3,404,952. Plan B is up 6.9 percent.

Overall, CP giving is $207,740 through February, or 4 percent ahead of 2007. Gifts are $608,711 or 10.2 percent behind the 2008 budget.

BSC Executive Director-treasurer Milton A. Hollifield Jr. assured Executive Committee members Feb. 29 that BSC spending does not exceed income. Since recipient agencies and institutions receive CP gifts based on a percentage of income, they each share in the budget shortfall.

Gifts to the state, national and international missions offerings are all down, but this early in the year those numbers are insignificant.

"Even though we're behind budget, I'm very grateful we're ahead of last year," said Butler.