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August 9, 2007
The Mission - A new look at CP
A friend told me about a conversation he had with his Dad when he was about 7 years old. He asked, "Why are we Southern Baptists?" His Dad said, "We're Southern Baptists because of the Cooperative Program. We send missionaries all over the world to tell people about Jesus."
At 7 years old, that was enough information for my friend to feel good about being a Southern Baptist. But he is no longer 7 years old. And again he's asking "Why am I Southern Baptist?"
Part of the challenge of communicating to the postmodern generation (and that includes me) is that you can't assume that we immediately share the same value in the same things. It doesn't mean that we don't. But just because we've [Southern Baptists] been doing something for a long time doesn't provide the substance necessary to justify our [postmoderns] continued participation.
So, before we can answer the question "How?" we must address the question "Why?"
The Cooperative Program (CP) is one of the hallmarks of the Southern Baptist denomination. Unfortuantely, in recent years it has become the subject of much political debate. And the net result is a decline in participation from churches. Further, many church members aren't even sure why their church has a line item for CP.
These are the brutal facts. And the direct result of our inability to "tell the story."
Recently, I've had the opportunity to talk about this with John Kyle. John is part of the Executive Committee of the SBC, and his responsiblity is growing CP. He has a vision for this program that I believe is--in many ways--silenced in the midst of the all the political wars.
When he talks about CP, he talks about "The Mission." CP is not merely an investment fund; it's the vehicle that provides the infrastructure to accomplish the Great Commission both in the US and abroad.
It's real people, touching real people, in real trouble, in the real world.
The Mission is to reach people with the message of Christ. And we do this through missionaries, seminaries, disaster relief, attacking world hunger, etc.
I could bore you with statistics. But we've tried that. It doesn't work. What needs to take place is an honest coversation where we recognize the role CP has played in our history and talk about the role it needs to play in our present and future.
Without that, this dream will pass away with my parents generation. And that would be a tragedy.
Posted by bstroup at August 9, 2007 8:49 AM
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Comments
Ben-
I believe that until the state and national levels of b'cracy demonstrate that they are willing to work to cut the fat, so to speak, then any church is acting properly in reviewing whether uncritical CP support equates with good stewardship. While the CP still has a role, it can be argued, it begs the question: are all dollars given to all local, state and national organization being appropriated responsibly to get the gospel to those who have little or no access to it?
I believe the answer to that question to be, "No."
Posted by: Marty Duren at August 30, 2007 12:24 PM
Marty,
CP is flawed just like any human system. That's a given. CP, at the same time, continues to be a powerful tool. If we're honest with ourselves, it's been an effective vehicle that the SBC has depended upon for a long time to assist in carrying out the Great Comission. Do you think we're too quick to lay it aside rather than try to work with it to continue to perfect it--as we do with any program or human endeavor?
The other question I have is that if every church begins to do everything on their own, is that the most effective use of dollars? Further, is it efficient? There is something to be said about working together.
Blessings, Ben.
Posted by: Ben at August 30, 2007 12:31 PM