Cooperative Program and Stewardship Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma A Census of Southern...

Cooperative Program and Stewardship

Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma

A Census of Southern Baptist Pastors and Selected Laity

2

Methodology

• Census of all Southern Baptist congregations conducted November 2007 – February 2008

• Two invitations were mailed to senior pastors of all SBC congregations Nov. 9, 2007 and Dec. 27, 2007 requesting their participation in the online survey

• Pastors were asked to personally complete the survey

• 9,020 Southern Baptists completed the survey

3

Methodology• The sample of pastors is a census; there is no

sampling error in selecting the invitation list• Pastors were also asked to select 5 members of

their church to complete the survey:• Chairman of deacons or a trustee (or key male leader)

• A woman who is a Sunday School teacher or Bible study leader

• An additional man and two women who are not a deacon, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader or missions leader

• A maximum of 6 surveys were permitted from each church (including the pastor’s survey)

4

Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma State Sample

• Data will be reported separately based on the roles respondents indicated on the survey:

• Pastors/Other Ministers – sample size 147

• Laity – sample size 247

• Responses have not been weighted

Cooperative Program

6

Cooperative Program Summary

• A large majority of Oklahoma churches are positive about the Cooperative Program

• When forced to indicate if they are generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the CP, 86% of pastors and other ministers and 96% of laity indicated they are generally satisfied

• The most important objective of the CP is that it sends and supports missionaries in North America and around the world

• The most important benefit of the CP is that it allows individual churches to support more missions endeavors efficiently than they could individually

Overall View of the Cooperative Program

7

Cooperative Program Summary continued

• Efficiency in the use of CP funds by state convention entities and among SBC entities are the areas with which the largest number of Oklahoma churches have concerns

• 45% of pastors strongly agree efficient use of contributions are important for state convention entities and yet do not strongly agree they are efficient today

• 41% of pastors strongly agree efficient use of contributions are important for SBC entities and yet do not strongly agree they are efficient today

Concerns with the Cooperative Program

8

Cooperative Program Summary continued

• Seventy-two percent of Oklahoma pastors indicate their church promoted the Cooperative Program within their church this last year

• Resources used by a majority of churches to promote the CP include bulletin inserts, posters, videos, and the state paper

• Forty-five percent of Oklahoma churches use the state convention as their primary source of resources to promote the CP

Promotion of the Cooperative Program

9

45%

32%

58%

38%

30%

68%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Allocates contributions among state,national, and global ministries,

missions and entities appropriately

The division of contributions betweenthe state conventions and the SBC is

appropriate

The most effective and efficient wayto support the spread of the gospel

worldwide

Laity Pastors/Other Ministers

Currently Describes the Cooperative Program

% Strongly Agree

Q2

10

71%

43%

38%

76%

30%

28%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Allows my church to support moremissions endeavors efficiently than we

could on our own

The SBC entities it supports use thecontributions efficiently

The state convention entities itsupports use the contributions

efficiently



% Strongly Agree

Q2

11

71%

67%

37%

77%

68%

31%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Supports SBC entities, ministries, andmissions that my church values

Supports state convention entities,ministries, and missions that my

church values

Protects churches from direct fundingappeals by entities



% Strongly Agree

Q2

12

63%

54%

69%

66%

64%

80%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Allocates contributions among state,national, and global ministries,

missions and entities appropriately

The division of contributions betweenthe state conventions and the SBC is

appropriate

The most effective and efficient wayto support the spread of the gospel

worldwide


Importance of Potential CP Benefits

% Extremely Important

Q3

13

75%

64%

63%

82%

71%

73%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Allows my church to support moremissions endeavors efficiently than we

could on our own

The SBC entities it supports use thecontributions efficiently

The state convention entities itsupports use the contributions

efficiently



Q3


14

70%

67%

46%

76%

68%

45%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Supports SBC entities, ministries, andmissions that my church values

Supports state convention entities,ministries, and missions that my

church values

Protects churches from direct fundingappeals by entities



Q3


15

71%

67%

74%

68%

52%

81%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Educates and equips pastors,missionaries, and other ministry

leaders

Provides resources to address thesocial, moral and ethical concerns of

our faith and families

Provides resources to plant churchesin North America and around the

world


Importance of Cooperative Program Objectives

Q4


16

58%

67%

80%

51%

67%

85%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Supports everything it should

Supports missions and ministries inmy state convention

Sends and supports missionaries inNorth America and around the world


Importance of Cooperative Program Objectives

Q4


17

The Cooperative Program supports SBC entities, ministries, and missions that my church values

3% 4% 1%

77%

14%0% 3% 5%

76%

16%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

NeitherAgree norDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

Service LevelCurrently DescribesImportance

Pastor/Other Minister Level of Agreement

1% Don’t Know0% Don’t Know

18

The Cooperative Program supports state convention entities, ministries, and missions that my church values

3% 6% 3%

19%

68%

21%

68%

5%6%0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




19

The Cooperative Program protects churches from direct funding appeals by entities

6%13% 11%

31%45%

26% 22%10%6%4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




20

The Cooperative Program allows my church to support more missions endeavours efficiently than we could on our own

6% 2% 3%12%

76%

13%

82%

2%2%0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




21

The SBC entities that the Cooperative Program supports use the contributions efficiently

8% 12% 8%

39%

71%

30%18%

4%4%0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




22

The state convention entities that the Cooperative Program supports use the contributions efficiently

8% 12% 12%

38%

73%

28%18%

5%4%0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




23

The Cooperative Program allocates contributions among state, national, and global ministries, missions, and entities appropriately

7% 8% 6%

37%

66%

38%25%

5%2%0%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




24

The division of Cooperative Program contributions between state conventions and the SBC is appropriate

6% 11% 10%

64%

30%34%

20%7%4%0%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




25

The Cooperative Program is the most effective way to support the spread of the gospel worldwide

5% 2% 7%17%

80%68%

14%4%1%1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




26

Percentage of church budget currently allocated to: The Cooperative Program

1%

9% 11%

23% 24% 24%

0%

20%

40%

0% >0 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 8% >8 - 10% >10%

• The median known percentage is 9.0%Over the last 5 years• 8% indicate the percentage decreased•58% indicate the percentage stayed the same•30% indicate the percentage increased

7% Don’t Know

Pastor/Other Minister Responses: % of Church Budget

Q5 & Q6

27

Percentage of church budget currently allocated to: your local Association

• The median known percentage is 3.00%Over the last 5 years•11% indicate the percentage decreased•57% indicate the percentage stayed the same•27% indicate the percentage increased

2%

31% 34%

20%

3% 0%0%

20%

40%

60%

0% >0 - 2% >2 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 10% >10%10% Don’t Know


Q5 & Q6

28

Percentage of church budget currently allocated to: one or more SBC entities

• The median known percentage is 0%Over the last 5 years• 2% indicate the percentage decreased•66% indicate the percentage stayed the same•18% indicate the percentage increased

47%

18%

1% 3% 3% 1%0%

20%

40%

60%

0% >0 - 2% >2 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 10% >10%

27% Don’t Know


Q5 & Q6

29

Percentage of church budget currently allocated to: local, domestic, & foreign ministries, mission trips & missions projects conducted by your church

• The median known percentage is 1.00%Over the last 5 years• 2% indicate the percentage decreased•41% indicate the percentage stayed the same•45% indicate the percentage increased

31%

21%

11% 10%4% 3%

0%

20%

40%

0% >0 - 2% >2 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 10% >10%

20% Don’t Know


Q5 & Q6

30

18% Don’t Know

Percentage of church budget currently allocated to: ministries, missions, or para-church organizations over which your church has no direct control

• The median known percentage is 0%Over the last 5 years• 4% indicate the percentage decreased•64% indicate the percentage stayed the same•15% indicate the percentage increased

56%

22%

3% 1% 0% 1%0%

20%

40%

60%

0% >0 - 2% >2 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 10% >10%


Q5 & Q6

31

Church’s construction budget expenditures

Over the last 5 years• 9% indicate the budget decreased•41% indicate the budget stayed the same•45% indicate the budget increased• 5% don’t know

Pastor/Other Minister Responses:

Q6

32

Church’s overall budget expenditures

Over the last 5 years•13% indicate the budget decreased•15% indicate the budget stayed the same•71% indicate the budget increased• 1% don’t know


Q6

33

Beliefs about the current division of CP gifts in your state

The percentage retained by the state should increase

The percentage forwarded to the national Convention should increase

The division of Cooperative Program gifts is about right

9% 10%

82%

7%

26%

67%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%Laity

Pastors/OtherMinisters

Q8

34

Beliefs about the current division of CP gifts in your state

The percentage retained by the state should increase

The percentage forwarded to the national Convention should increase

The division of Cooperative Program gifts is about right

3%

28%

69%

9%

26%

65%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%Church gives >=10% of Budget toCPChurch gives <10% of Budget toCP

Q8


35

Preferred Cooperative Program Allocation Budget

Median Preferred Allocation:

Q9

Current Allocation

Pastors/Other Ministers

Laity

IMB 50.00% 50.00% 50.00%

NAMB 22.79% 23.00% 23.00%

SBC Seminaries

22.16% 22.00% 22.00%

ERLC 1.65% 2.00% 1.65%

SBC Operating Budget

3.40% 3.37% 3.40%

36


Mean Preferred Allocation:

Q9

Current Allocation

Pastors/Other Ministers

Laity

IMB 50.00% 49.56% 49.10%

NAMB 22.79% 24.91% 24.26%

SBC Seminaries

22.16% 19.91% 20.79%

ERLC 1.65% 2.13% 2.25%


3.40% 3.49% 3.61%

37


Percent of Pastors/Other Ministers Compared to Current Allocation:

Q9Indicates majority of pastors

Preference < Current

Preference = Current

Preference > Current

IMB 19% 63% 18%

NAMB 20% 12% 67%

SBC Seminaries

70% 12% 17%

ERLC 34% 14% 52%


50% 16% 34%

38

Wording of Cooperative Program Descriptions• We have an overwhelmingly positive view of the CP. We believe the CP is not only satisfactory, but is essential to the continued existence of the SBC, and the fulfillment of its mission of worldwide evangelism

• We have a mostly positive view of the CP. We believe the CP perhaps could be improved in some ways, but is doing a very good job at present of supporting worldwide missions

• We have a mixed view of the CP. The CP is merely our denomination’s present method of supporting worldwide missions and it could be improved in many ways

Q10

39

Wording of Cooperative Program Descriptions

• We have a mostly negative view of the CP. We do like some of its aspects, but are often disappointed by its inefficiencies. We view the CP as a regrettably necessary “tax” to support the SBC’s infrastructure

• We have an overwhelmingly negative view of the CP. We believe the CP is no longer satisfactory, and no longer participating in it.

• Our church is unaware of the CP. It is not on our radar screen at all.

Q10

40

Description of the Cooperative Program that best reflects view of churches

0% 3%0%9%

48%40%

0% 1%4%12%

45%38%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

over-whelmingly

positive

mostlypositive

mixed mostlynegative

over-whelmingly

negative

unaware

Laity

Pastors/OtherMinisters

Q10

41

4%

96%

14%

86%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

GenerallyDissatisfied with

the CP

GenerallySatisfied with

the CP


General Opinion of the Cooperative Program

Q18

42

68%

18%

24%

59%

72%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Promote once-a-year offerings forthe SBC entities

Conduct a month-long emphasison missions each year

Budget a fixed amount formissions

Budget a percentage of offeringsfor missions

Promote the Cooperative Program

Activities Used by Churches to Emphasize Missions Giving


Q11

43

0%

5%

67%

3%

21%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Missions giving not emphasized

Provide auto funds transfer withdesignated giving for missions

Provide offering envelopes thatallow designated giving for

missions

Request annual pledges orpromises for missions giving

Promote year-long offerings forSBC entities

Activities Used by Churches to Emphasize Missions Giving


Q11

44

62%

13%

3%

5%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Videos

SBC Life subscriptions

SBC entity websites

Baptist Press website

Cooperative Programwebsite

Resources Used by Churches Within Last Year to Explain or Promote the CP


Q12

45

24%

24%

50%

73%

68%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Missionary speakers

PowerPoints

Prayer guide

Bulletin inserts

Posters



Q12

46

6%

51%

21%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

None of theabove

State papersubscriptions

Exhibits ordisplays

Missionsmagazines



Q12

47

Individual SBC entities, 26%

We develop our own, 4%

Other, 1% Associatonal leadership, 6%

State convention, 45%

The CP Division of the Executive Committee, 17%

Primary Source for Resources to Promote the Cooperative Program

Pastor/Other Minister Responses:(Among those who explain/promote the CP)

Q13

Stewardship

49

Stewardship Summary

• Sermons are the most common activity churches use to encourage financial stewardship

• Fifty-two percent offered a planned giving or estate planning emphasis

• Testimonies of people who gave faithfully/ sacrificially were shared by 38% of churches

• Small group studies on financial stewardship were not used by 49% of Oklahoma churches

• New Day for Financial Freedom resources were only used by 1% of Oklahoma churches last year

50

Stewardship Summary continued

• Churches look within for guidance on promoting and teaching stewardship

• The minority who looks outside their church, turn to their state office, their association, or a preferred author

• The majority of pastors do not see a huge opportunity for meeting needs for financial management skills

51

29%

38%

16%

64%

23%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Offered Sunday School lessons onfinancial stewardship, money

management or debt reduction

Shared testimonies of people whogave faithfully/ sacrificially

Preached a sermon/ series tosupport a capital fundraising

campaign

Preached sermon/ seriesspecifically addressing financial

stewardship/ giving

Conducted a Stewardship Sundayemphasis

Stewardship Activities Conducted by Churches in last 12 months


Q14

52

11%

7%

52%

16%

27%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Did not conduct any type ofstewardship emphasis

Other

Conducted a Planned Giving orEstate Planning emphasis

Offered small group studies onfinancial stewardship, money

management or debt reduction

Used a bulletin insert to promotefinancial stewardship/ giving

Stewardship Activities Conducted by Churches in last 12 months


Q14

53

5%

31%

6%

1%

3%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Resources by Ron Blue

Resources by Larry Burkett

Resources by Dave Ramsey

Crown Financial Ministriesresources

It's a New Day for FinancialFreedom resources

Stewardship Resources Used by Churches in the last year


Q15

54

52%

7%

5%

6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

None of the above

Other

Stewardship DevelopmentAssociation resources

Empowering KingdomGrowth resources


Stewardship Resources Used by Churches in the last year

Q15

55

4%

28%

14%

25%

6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Internet search

Members of our church

Associational leadership

State stewardship director

Stewardship Division of theExecutive Committee of the

SBC

Preferred Sources of Guidance on Promoting and Teaching Stewardship


Q16

56

1%

12%

1%

2%

10%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Independent consultant

Preferred author

Preferred distributor

Preferred publisher

Christian bookstore



Q16

57

3%

10%

79%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Ministerialstaff memberat our church

Our pastor



Q16

58

Members of our congregation as a whole: Have a significant amount of personal debt

10% 15%

34%20%

6%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Does NotDescribe at

All 1

2 3 4 DescribesVery Well 5

15% Don’t Know

Q17a

Pastor/Other Minister Description of Congregation

59

Members of our congregation as a whole: Look to the church for guidance in improving their financial management skills

12%

32% 34%

14%1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Does NotDescribe at

All 1


7% Don’t Know

Q17b


60

Members of our congregation as a whole: Are open to teaching or preaching on the subject of stewardship

1% 5%

24%37%

29%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Does NotDescribe at

All 1



4% Don’t Know

Q17c

Cooperative Program and Stewardship Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma A Census of Southern...

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