I would be more accurate if I said that the aggression among KBC leaders is being directed at the division of Cooperative Program receipts from the churches.
This is a good way for Southern Baptist state convention leaders to channel their aggressive impulses.
State conventions are the
biggest beneficiary of Cooperative Program dollars with considerably more than
50% on average staying within each state convention. Many SBCers think that
while state conventions do good work and while the division of the CP dollar
between states and national entities is consistent with historic levels, state
conventions should not be keeping over 50%.
Count me in this number and count me skeptical that the states will ever do much to rectify this for a couple of reasons.
One, everyone can justify their budgets and find an endless stream of in-state projects to eat up CP dollars. Second, state conventions have long been deep into fuzzy math when it comes to CP accounting. In many cases when a state says "50/50" what they really mean is "60/40" or "55/45". Third, the inertia that comes from legacy funding of schools, campus ministries, and other state spending is very tough to overcome.
But I give the Kentucky Baptist Convention credit for taking steps to move their CP split towards 50/50. Baptist Press has a story from the KBC state paper, Western Recorder, on the move: Ky. advisory group proposes $700,000 CP shift.
The shift of CP receipts is in taking CP dollars given by KBC churches away from in-state causes and reallocating them to SBC causes such as the seminaries and mission boards. This is not insignificant and is the most serious such move among the state baptist conventions.
Count me in this number and count me skeptical that the states will ever do much to rectify this for a couple of reasons.
One, everyone can justify their budgets and find an endless stream of in-state projects to eat up CP dollars. Second, state conventions have long been deep into fuzzy math when it comes to CP accounting. In many cases when a state says "50/50" what they really mean is "60/40" or "55/45". Third, the inertia that comes from legacy funding of schools, campus ministries, and other state spending is very tough to overcome.
But I give the Kentucky Baptist Convention credit for taking steps to move their CP split towards 50/50. Baptist Press has a story from the KBC state paper, Western Recorder, on the move: Ky. advisory group proposes $700,000 CP shift.
The shift of CP receipts is in taking CP dollars given by KBC churches away from in-state causes and reallocating them to SBC causes such as the seminaries and mission boards. This is not insignificant and is the most serious such move among the state baptist conventions.
Almost all, about 95% of the reductions are being taken from two KBC colleges, the state paper, and the Kentucky Baptist Foundation. The rest comes from an array of smaller ministries.
If this is implemented, the new funding scheme is just a proposal now, the KBC will be closer to that 50/50 split, which in Kentucky's case actually means 55/45 but the convention is committed to making that 53.5/46.5.
Confused? Join 99.9% of Southern Baptists in that. I will explain later.
I commend the KBC for their relatively aggressive movements in getting more CP money out of their state. The are ahead of most state conventions in this.
If this is implemented, the new funding scheme is just a proposal now, the KBC will be closer to that 50/50 split, which in Kentucky's case actually means 55/45 but the convention is committed to making that 53.5/46.5.
Confused? Join 99.9% of Southern Baptists in that. I will explain later.
I commend the KBC for their relatively aggressive movements in getting more CP money out of their state. The are ahead of most state conventions in this.
Does this CP shift make much difference?
The math helps us get to a conclusion on that. Stay tuned.
I allow for the possibility that this Georgian may be missing something about this move in Kentucky. If so, I would welcome some bluegrass Baptist if they wish to correct me or supplement my information here.
1 comment:
Dear Georgian/SBCPlodder,
There is an amazing shift taking place in KY and it is NOT being motivated by true Kentuckian Baptists. Instead, it is the dirty little secret from the heart of Southern Seminary.
Who are the movers? KBC Exec. Yes. But over the last 15+ years Southern Seminary has infiltrated the ranks of the KBC Missions Board (executive board), causing transition to the BENEFIT of Southern Seminary. Individuals like Hershel York and Adam Greenway has gain the trust of many KY Baptists. But if the truth be told, they have received marching orders from Al Mohler for the benefit of the seminary.
If you do the math, you will find that what is KY Baptists are being PLAYED. According to reports (KBC News), "over two years (the KBC) will shift more than $650,000 in CP funds to the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and other SBC causes." See how they phrase it in such a way that Missions is highlighted first. Then there is the tag at the end..."other SBC causes." One of those causes is Southern Seminary. So while Campbellsville and the Cumberlands lose $539,520 collectively over two years, Southern Seminary receives a gain of $31,000.
I view this as a conflict of interest not far from what we read about in the business world. It is the illusion skill of a magician. "Look at my right hand" as you do the slight of hand with your left hand.
Unfortunately, the majority of KY Baptists will just go along with the changes because they are clueless. Southern will use KY as an example for the future for other conventions. Why? Because they will receive the WINDFALL.
I apologize for these old numbers, but this is the best I can do on short notice. As of 2009, the average giving to the SBC from the states was 37.34%. Giving that year was $520,355,538. Thus, Southern Seminary (who receives 4.77% of SBC giving) received $9,268,146 in 2008-09. If the percentage was a 50/50 split from ALL states, they could have received $12,410,479. That is a gain of $3,142,333!! This is what they have in their sights.
Yet, what happens at the Baptist colleges is a decrease in funding to provide a Christian education for those who will be TRUE missionaries to the business world. A larger number of Campbellsville grads go into the secular world and serve as salt and light.
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