PHOENIX (BP)–A proposed plan for educating seminary students about the Cooperative Program was unanimously approved by the Executive Committee during its meeting June 16 prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.
The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists’ method of supporting missions and ministry efforts of state and regional conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention — including the six Southern Baptist seminaries.
The Executive Committee approved a report from its funding study subcommittee recommending a program for “enhanced Cooperative Program education” for seminary students. The program, yet to be developed, would be funded by the first $250,000 received above the Cooperative Program allocation budget for 2003-04 and 2004-05. The recommendation now will be voted on by messengers to the SBC June 17-18 annual meeting in Phoenix.
During discussion, one Executive Committee member likened the proposed plan to “Cooperative Program 101.”
The committee also passed a resolution expressing gratitude to God for the work of the Southern Baptist Council on Family Life. It asked Southern Baptists to express “deep and earnest appreciation” to the council members for their labor. The Council on Family Life presented its report, which is designed to strengthen families, at the Kingdom Family Rally June 16.
In other matters, Executive Committee members:
— adopted a recommendation of San Antonio, Texas, as the site for the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. The recommended dates are June 12-13.
— recommended that John G. Blackman Jr. of Tennessee and Michael L. (Mike) Trammell of Maryland be elected to the Southern Baptist Foundation board of trustees.
— adopted the Executive Committee’s report as printed in the SBC Book of Reports.
— re-elected Gary A. Smith as chairman, Bill Anderson as vice chairman and Mary M. (Marty) Odom as secretary. All three were re-elected by acclamation.
— received as information the Cooperative Program allocation budget that noted that $93,112,772 had been received between October and March 31, a 1.49 percent increase when compared to the same time period last year.
— awarded plaques of appreciation to 11 members who are either resigning or whose terms have expired: Steven Boyd, pastor of Simpsonville (Ky.) Baptist Church; Don Buckley, physician and member of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla.; Richard (Rick) Elmore, pastor of Cave Springs Baptist Church in Roanoke, Va.; Michael (Mike) Everson, pastor of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church in Douglasville, Ga.; Gerald Harris, pastor of Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga.; Joe Howard, member of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Okla.; Ted Kersh, pastor of First Baptist Church in Claremore, Okla.; Mark Patton, senior pastor of NorthStar Baptist Church in Carmel, Ind.; Harry Pittman, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lovington, N.M.; Kenny Qualls, senior pastor of Springhill (Mo.) Baptist Church; and Herbert (Herb) Thomas, pastor of Circlewood Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
–30–
