Short Spots

                                                                                                                                                                       Vol. VIII, No. 7, August 1995

Ten Southern Faculty Retire: Ten faculty members of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, accepted an early retirement package fashioned by seminary administrators at the request of the seminary's Faculty Committee. The plan, approved by trustees in April, provides a package of salary and benefits linked to the individual's length of service. 29 faculty were eligible; 10 accepted the retirements which took effect 31 July. [BP]

CP Gifts Rise: SBC Cooperative Program gifts for the month of June rose 16.84% above June a year ago and pushed the fiscal year-to-date total more than 2.5% above the previous year. June 1995 gifts totalled $12,719,960 compared to $10,886,499 in June 1994. After nine months of the SBC fiscal year, total CP gifts stand at $109,314,279 compared to $106,599,758 last year, an increase of 2,55% or $2,714,520. Designated gifts also rose in June, a whopping 35,25% ($4,148,898) above last June. For the year to date the designated gifts are 2.89% ahead of last year at this time. [BP] [Note: Monthly figures may vary widely as one or two large states send in their checks a little earlier or later. The year-to-date figures are much more meaningful. TCP]

Missionary Milestone: In 1994 the Foreign Mission board sent out a record 545 missionaries, pushing the Board's total beyond 4,000 for the first time. The 545 total includes 155 career and associate missionary appointments and a record 290 two-year International Service Corps workers and journeymen. The 255 career appointments were the highest in seven years: the record was set in 1985 with 304. The overseas missionary force now stands at 4,108 ... well along toward the goal of 5,000 by the year 2000. Currently about 3,300 Southern Baptists have started the missionary appointment process and another 2,200 prospects have contacted the Board. [BP] [If you are interested in serving overseas, you can call the FMB at 804-353-6655. TCP]