[1]NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Southern Baptists posted a 5 percent gain in Cooperative Program giving in December 2000, according to Morris H. Chapman, president and chief executive officer of the SBC Executive Committee.
A total of $15,349,658.10 was received in December to support Southern Baptist CP missions and ministries globally and across North America, up 5.02 percent over the $14,616,085.55 received in December 1999.
For the fiscal year to date, October 2000 through December 2000, CP giving is 2.61 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, $43,638,073.68 as compared to $42,526,032.23.
In designated giving during December 2000, the total of $4,111,941.14 was 10.34 percent below the December 1999 total of $4,586,019.91. For the fiscal year to date, designated giving remains 6.02 percent ahead of last year’s pace, $10,046,597.84 as compared to $9,476,572.43.
For the SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget, the year-to-date receipts of $43,638,073.68 are $1,638,977.43, or 103.9 percent, above the budgeted $41,999,096.25.
The monthly receipts showed $15,349,658.10 received, more than 109 percent of the budgeted amount of $13,999,698.75.
[2]The SBC Cooperative Program total includes receipts from individuals, churches, state conventions and fellowships for distribution according to the 1999-2000 Cooperative Program Allocation Budget.
The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists’ method of supporting missions and ministry efforts of state and regional conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention. Designated contributions include the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions, world hunger and other special gifts.
State and regional conventions retain a percentage of Cooperative Program contributions they receive from the churches to support work in their areas and send the remaining funds to the Executive Committee for national and international ministries. The percentage of distribution is at the discretion of each state or regional convention.
–30–