Cooperative Program Funds

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                        Vol. IX, No.2, February 1996  

     As discussed in the December 1994 Banner, the BGAV convention in November 1994 passed a constitutional amendment cutting messenger representation from conservative, and only conservative, churches. This punitive political power play has several effects:

     First, liberal writers have claimed for years that "moderates are being disenfranchised by the fundamentalists." In fact, that is an untrue statement. There has been absolutely no change in Southern Baptist Convention constitutional provisions regarding how many messengers are authorized to each church. What has happened is that liberals, who held the SBC in an iron grip (though often inside a velvet glove) for many years, have been consistently outvoted, beginning in June 1979. In the best Baptist tradition a majority of messengers has voted year after year in favor of those who believe in the complete accuracy of the Bible and who will put in place policies consistent with that belief. The point is that no SBC church has had its messenger representation changed. No Southern Baptist has been disfranchised at the national level,

     THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME A GROUP OF BAPTISTS HAS BEEN DISFRANCHISED IS HERE IN VIRGINIA WHEN LIBERALS CUT BACK MESSENGERS FROM CONSERVATIVE CHURCHES.

     Second, the BGAV action reveals a spirit of fear. A group which is confident of the correctness of its position and the loyalty of its supporters does not have to resort to such mean-spirited political maneuvers.

     Third, this amendment FORCES conservative churches and, indeed, every conservative Virginia Baptist to make a conscious decision: Where do I belong? Where can I in good conscience send my Cooperative Program dollars? These will often he divisive issues. Please keep in mind that conservatives did not create the need to answer these questions. It was brought about by the liberal clique which dominates the BGAV.

     As Banner readers know, the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV) are studying the procedures and requirements for the establishment of a separate state convention. No final decision has been made [as of the date this article was published, February 1996], and the process will take some time, We do not want to act precipitately. (Actually, we do not WANT to act at all, but the BGAV has forced conservatives to consider alternatives.)

     While the decision process is underway, conservative churches should consider directing their Cooperative Program donations through the SBCV. The address is:

SBCV

P.O. Box 62000

Virginia Beach, VA 23466

[Note: The new SBCV address is:

4101 Cox Road, Suite 100

Glen Allen, VA  23060-3320

phone:  804-270-1848]

     As you do so, there are four things to keep in mind:

(1) The SBCV is not yet a state convention and consequently does not have an agreement with the SBC Annuity Board. Therefore, for the time being churches should send $35 per month to the BGAV for EACH staff member enrolled in the SBC Annuity Plan. We do not want this organizational change to imperil the retirement of our pastors and other staff members.

(2) The 1996 SBCV budget for the first time contains an automatic division of gifts between the SBC (35%) and the SBCV (65%). [As of September 1996 the 1997 budget has been voted, and it retains 50% for the SBCV and sends 50% to the SBC Cooperative Program ... a higher percentage than any other state convention!] Thus if your church sends contributions with no other instructions, that [50-50] division will be used. However, each church may specify either in dollars or in percentages what portion should be kept by the SBCV and what sent on to the SBC. If this latter method is used, a brief letter explaining your church's decision should accompany the first check. A church may change its division at any time.

(3) Remember that The Baptist Banner receives the great majority of its income from churches and individuals, not from the SBCV. Please consider devoting a part of your giving to the Banner. You may do so by informing the SBCV at the address above how many dollars or what percent to send on to the Banner, or you may send a check directly to:

The Baptist Banner

4009 Lafayette Boulevard

 Fredericksburg, VA 22408

(4) Pray for all Virginia Baptists that the Lord will guide in these truly momentous decisions, that all will understand, as pointed out by CBF member Richard Atkins "the 'battle for the Bible" is the real point of contention." The question of one organization or another, whether the church check goes to A or B, is at heart not political but theological: Is the Bible completely accurate and its Author in charge of us, or does it contain errors so that we are in charge of it?