SBCV Facts

by T. C. Pinckney

It may be that many Banner readers are not aware of just how greatly the Lord has been blessing the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia as they work through, for, and with local churches to further His Kingdom. Therefore, I want to bring you some of the facts as presented in the report of the SBCV Executive Director, Dr. Doyle Chauncey at our annual meeting last November.

Perhaps most striking is the steady growth of churches aligned with the SBCV.

 

[Note:    I still have to work out how to post the two graphs.  TCP]

The SBCV was formed in September 1996, so 1997 marked our first annual convention at which time 158 churches were members. The eight subsequent years have recorded consistent growth as shown in the table above. Additions in 1999 through 2005 have ranged from 36 in 2003 to 45 in 2005 with the lone exception being 17 in 2004. These additions comprise churches moving from the BGAV and churches planted through the SBCV and its member churches.

Similarly and as one might expect, with the growth in numbers of churches has come a bounty of giving to the Cooperative Program, as shown in the next table.

What is not apparent from the table is that The SBCV gives 50% of its CP receipts to the Southern Baptist Convention while the BGAV gives a much smaller percentage. The result is that whereas the SBCV accounts for only 25% (470) of the 1883 SBC churches in Virginia, the SBCV gives 67% of all Virginia gifts to the SBC Cooperative Program. And of ALL Virginia contributions to the SBC (including both the CP and designations such as the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong Missions Offerings) the SBCV’s 25% of churches give 52% of the money to the SBC.

Now consider the SBCV’s official statement of purpose: “The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia is a fellowship of Southern Baptist Convention churches cooperating to assist local congregations in their task of fulfilling the Great Commission as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Next, look at its Core Values:

– Our foundation is the Word of God.

– Our fellowship is built on healthy relationships.

– Our focus is strengthening the local church.

– Our function is to assist churches on mission.

– Our future includes church planting.

Finally, some key questions: Do your pastor and congregation believe the Bible is exactly as God inspired it? Does your church strongly support the Southern Baptist Convention? Would you like to see more of your church’s Cooperative Program dollars go to our missionaries in North America and around the world?

If you answer these questions “yes”, is your church aligned with the SBCV? If not, why not? Talk it over with your pastor and other church leaders. Educate your members. Share the above with them (make as many copies as you wish). Send me the names and addresses of more members to receive The Baptist Banner. Contact the SBCV. I’m sure they will be happy to send someone to speak to your congregation about the SBCV and its activities.

Note: The SBCV is decentralized in six geographical ministry areas. Inquirers can contact their area missionary for information about joining the SBCV and about local events. To see which ministry area your church is in and to learn how to contact your area missionary: go to www.sbcv.org, click “Ministry Areas” on the left side, scroll down to the map to find your area, scroll back up to your area and click on its title (e.g., “Northern”), look on the area page for the name(s), telephone number, and email address for the contact.

Remember, there is no way to avoid a decision. To do nothing is a decision to see your church remain where it is.