[1]NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Gifts to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program dipped 1.67 percent last month compared to March 2001. However, year-to-date support for CP Missions remains 2.82 percent ahead of totals at this same point last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman.
March’s $14,064,084.99 in CP gifts to support Southern Baptist ministries globally and across North America dipped $239,210.07 below March 2001 gifts of $14,303,295.06. Designated gifts of $20,581,220.37 in March, meanwhile, were 19.14 percent below March 2001’s $25,451,336.81, a decrease of $4,870,116.44.
In year-to-date CP giving, $91,742,280.47 has been received, compared with $89,228,523.62 in 2000-01, an increase of 2.82 percent or $2,513,756.85. The SBC operates on an Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fiscal year.
In year-to-date designated giving, $105,121,659.53 has been received, compared with $104,287,690.68 in 2000-01, an increase of .80 percent or $833,968.85.
For the SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget, the March receipts of $14,064,084.99 were 94.66 percent of the budgeted $14,858,239.92, or $794,154.93 under the budget goal.
The SBC Cooperative Program total includes receipts from individuals, churches, state conventions and fellowships for distribution according to the 2001-2002 Cooperative Program Allocation Budget.
[2]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, Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund 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.
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