Editor’s Note: This issue contains a report of the leading churches in baptisms and Cooperative Program giving last year. See pages 6-8. These reports are usually printed in late May or early June, but due to coverage of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Nashville this year, we had to delay publishing the reports until now. Keep in mind, the numbers for the 2020 ACP report were lower than normal due to COVID-19’s impact on churches during the year.
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Churches across Tennessee should be receiving their Annual Church Profile (ACP) packets from their local association within the next couple of weeks, according to Libby Eaton, information specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
These packets will include everything a church needs to compile their statistical and leadership information, she noted.
Libby Eaton
The information can be entered directly into TeD (Tennessee Electronic Database) using the included instructions for online data entry, or can be completed in written form that can be returned to their local association office, Eaton added.
Eaton cited several reasons why Tennessee Baptist churches should consider completing the ACP.
• Because God is at work. “From Memphis to Mountain City, reports are coming in to our office recounting the revival and revitalization of churches all over the state.
“Reporting how God is at work in your church is part of giving Him the glory,” Eaton shared, “and helps us paint the larger story of God at work in Tennessee.”
• Because we serve churches. “When a church supplies us with the current staff contact information, both paid and volunteer, we use this information to reach out directly to invite staff to inspirational and training events related to their role at your church,” Eaton said.
• Because you are capturing the history of your church. Reporting the statistical information for your church is much like a well-visit to a doctor, she explained.These “vital signs” — baptisms, attendance, giving, mission trips — “are snapshots of a moment in time,” she observed. But when compared to previous years’ statistics, trends can be seen, strengths can be celebrated and weaknesses worked on, she added.
• Because your church counts. “Every person at every church is important to the Father. Without your report, the picture of God at work in Tennessee is a little less complete,” she noted.
Due dates vary by association but generally are due prior to each church’s local association meeting. Final numbers are presented to national entities after the first of the year, Eaton said. B&R
