Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributed $2,545,172 through the Cooperative Program in November, the first month of the 2020-21 fiscal year.
The amount was $99,598 or 4.1 percent more than was given in November of 2019.
The year-to-date total, however is $371,495 or 12.74 percent below budget needs after one month. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
In a new Cooperative Program video entitled, “It’s a Wonderful CP” Mr. Finch, left, takes a trip in his dreams, and discovers that a world without the Cooperative Program “is a nightmare.”
FRANKLIN — Everyone knows the story told in “The Christmas Carol” about an elderly man named Scrooge who thought Christmas was a waste of time and money.
Now, thanks to the creative talents of Matt Tullos, assistant to the executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Cooperative Program/stewardship specialist, Tennessee Baptists have the opportunity to meet Mr. Finch (just happens to rhyme with another old Christmas curmudgeon named Grinch) through a new video entitled, It’s a Wonderful CP. [Read more…]
By Diana Chandler
Senior Writer, Baptist Press
Scott Linginfelter, pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Maryville, recently preached during the opening night of a tent revival. The church recently voted to double its giving through the Cooperative Program from 5 to 10 percent. — Submitted photo
MARYVILLE — Pastor Scott Linginfelter had just preached the opening night of a tent revival on a farm field in rural Greenback when he told Baptist Press of his commitment to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program.
“Somebody found treasure in a field,” he said of his sermon based on Matthew 13:44. “To find treasure, it means you don’t just get saved, but you become part of kingdom theology, and you work with other believers to reach people who also want to be a part of that kingdom, and also find that treasure. It’s something that we work together toward as a church and as Southern Baptists. We cooperate toward missions.”
Linginfelter is pastor of Maryville’s Mount Carmel Baptist Church, which in October voted to begin giving 10 percent of undesignated receipts to the Cooperative Program, doubling the longtime annual contribution of 5 percent. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — In a year when most churches across Tennessee could not meet in person for several months, Tennessee Baptists continued to faithfully meet missions and ministry needs in the state and around the world.
Tennessee Baptist Convention churches gave $2,824,225 through the Cooperative Program in October.
Tennessee Baptists gave a total of $34,203,543 through the Cooperative Program during the 2019-20 budget year which ended Oct. 31. The amount was $516,061 or 1.51 percent below what was given last year. The total also was $796,457 or 2.28 percent below budget needs. [Read more…]
By Ronnie Floyd
President and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention executive committee
Jesus died for every person in every town, city, state and nation. His call to us is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.
None of us can do this alone, and no church can do this alone. Jesus’ call to each of us is overwhelming, but it is not impossible. How will we accomplish what Jesus is calling us to do?
This is the question Southern Baptist leaders were asking almost 100 years ago when they formulated the Cooperative Program. Since 1925, this strategic plan of action has been and still is the financial fuel that funds the advancement of the Gospel we do together regionally, statewide, nationally and globally. [Read more…]
By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press
NASHVILLE — Decreased giving during the COVID-19 pandemic led the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee to adopt a Cooperative Program Allocation Budget Tuesday (Sept. 22) that is 5 percent less than the committee projected last February.
During a special called meeting, the Executive Committee adopted a $186,875,000 CP allocation budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, after originally proposing a budget of $197,700,000.
Approval of the CP allocation budget would have been considered by messengers at the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting, but its adoption became the EC’s responsibility when the annual meeting was canceled because of the pandemic. It was the first time in 75 years – since 1945, when the annual meeting was also canceled – the EC had the responsibility.
Amid the economic slowdown resulting from the pandemic, CP giving was down 2.92 percent in the third quarter of the current fiscal year, and 1.14 percent below budget as of August 31 for the entire year. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — The board of directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board approved a recommendation for a $35 million Cooperative Program budget for 2020-21.
The board met in person for the first time since COVID-19, but also provided a virtual option that the majority of the directors chose to take. The in-person meeting was held Sept. 15 at Thompson Station Church, Thompson’s Station.
The $35 million goal, which includes $800,000 allocated to Cooperative Program administration and promotion, is the same as the current 2019-20 budget. The allocation to the SBC increased from 47.37 percent to 47.5 percent of Cooperative Program receipts. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributed $2,941,530 through the Cooperative Program in July.
For the year-to-date, Tennessee Baptists have given $25,831,963.
In the midst of a pandemic, the amount is just $295,149 or 1.1 below what was given at the same time last year. In addition, gifts are $418,037 or 1.59 percent below budget needs after the first nine months of the budget year. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Tennessee Baptist Convention churches are practicing good stewardship as they continue to give generously through the Cooperative Program, the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions and other mission offerings.
That’s the observation of Matt Tullos, special assistant to the executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and stewardship specialist.
“This is a difficult, difficult time, but I think God is using it in some powerful ways to help us get our focus back on what is really important,” Tullos said during a podcast on Radio B&R (see Episode 46). [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches contributed $2,986,768 through the Cooperative Program in June.
For the year-to-date, Tennessee Baptists have given $22,890,433 through the Cooperative Program missions and ministry giving channel. The amount is $106,212 or 0.5 percent below what was given after eight months last year.
The total also is $442,901 or 1.9 percent below budget needs after eight months of the current fiscal year. [Read more…]
