$40 Million by 2030 website launches

FRANKLIN — Cooperative Program giving by Tennessee Baptist churches has remained steady for more than 10 years; however, due to inflation, that amounts to a net $9 million loss, according to Randy C. Davis, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s president and executive director.

“The good news is that Tennessee Baptist churches have increased overall giving by more than $100 million over the last decade and contributed approximately $350 million through the Cooperative Program,” Davis said. “But we’ve still lost ground.

“The inflation rate for that period amounts to 26%. That’s a $9 million loss for our convention’s $35 million budget. That means our $35 million is now really worth about $26 million.”

Davis said he understands that churches “feel the same financial pain” all ministries are experiencing, especially with current economic pressures, but added, “We believe God honors and God blesses generosity.”

“We need to make up for that lost ground due to inflation, then take a significant amount of new ground,” he said.

“There are so many Great Commission opportunities ripe for the taking with an increase in CP giving. There is a path forward that facilitates this while minimizing the impact to local churches. There is still a sacrifice, but I believe the work is worth it.”

The vision Davis cast to the TBMB Board of Directors at its 2026 spring meeting was for Tennessee Baptists to increase their churches’ CP giving from $35 million to $40 million by 2030. That goal rests on a full percentage-point increase in the share of undesignated receipts churches give to CP over four years, with churches committing to raise their CP giving percentage by 0.25% (a quarter of a percent) each year in pursuit of that 1-percentage-point goal.

Nearly 60 churches immediately committed to the vision once the website, WorkIsWorthIt.org, launched. The names of those pastors and churches are listed on the website. Pastors or a representative minister can add their church by enrolling through a simple form on the website.

“We know there are many churches already at 10% giving or more and have been for more than 100 years since the Cooperative Program began,” Davis said. “I am thankful for them, and I greatly commend them for that commitment. They are welcome to join us in this journey if they’d like.

“However, I am hoping that most of our churches that give less than 10% might commit to the quarter-percent increase per year,” Davis said. “The increase in funds is only a means to an end. We’re after the ‘Why.’”

Davis said the increased funding would allow the placement of hundreds of ministry interns, preparing them for pulpit ministry as Tennessee Baptist churches experience roughly 400 vacant pulpits on any given Sunday. The giving would also support an increased number of missionaries, from those serving through Baptist Collegiate Ministries to Tennessee Baptists being responsible for adding 12 to 14 new missionaries to the International Mission Board’s overseas mission force.

“These are just a few of the whys,” Davis said. “If other states see Tennessee Baptists doing this, can you imagine the kind of movement this might start? Just a quarter-percent increase could initiate a gigantic leap forward in available mission funding that would support gospel advance.

“So, I’d ask that you prayerfully consider joining this movement because I believe the work you’re doing is worth it. The work across our state is worth it. The Great Commission work around the world and to the uttermost is worth it.” B&R — More information about the $40 million by 2030 initiative, including a downloadable booklet, can be found at WorkIsWorthIt.org