Cooperative Program and Stewardship

Cooperative Program and Stewardship

A Census of Southern Baptist Pastors and Selected Laity

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

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

sampling error in selecting the invitation list• Weighting the pastor responses minimizes any

response error – weights were based on 6 categories of average worship attendance representing all SBC congregations

ATTENDANCE PASTOR SAMPLE RESEARCH UNIVERSE*1 – 49 691 Congregations 12,818 Congregations 50 – 99 971 Congregations 11,741 Congregations 100 – 249 1,204 Congregations 9,945 Congregations 250 – 499 436 Congregations 3,206 Congregations 500 – 999 140 Congregations 1,121 Congregations 1,000+ 58 Congregations 560 Congregations

*Based on the number of congregations reporting each worship attendance on the 2006 Annual Church Profile

Methodology• 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)

• Responses other than pastors were not weighted

Methodology• Data will be reported separately based on the

roles respondents indicated on the survey:

• Pastors – sample size 3,500

• Other ministers – sample size 285

• Laity – sample size 5,245

Cooperative Program

Cooperative Program Summary

• A large majority of Southern Baptists are positive about the Cooperative Program

• When forced to indicate if they are generally satisfied or dissatisfied with the CP, 87% of pastors and more than 90% of other ministers and laity indicated they are generally satisfied

• The most important objective of the CP is that it should send and support missionaries in North America and around the world

• The most important benefit of the CP is that it should allow a church to support more missions endeavors efficiently than they could on their own

Overall View of the Cooperative Program

Cooperative Program Summary continued

• Efficiency in the use of Cooperative Program funds and how the funds are allocated are the areas that the largest number of Southern Baptists have concerns

• 31% of pastors strongly agree efficient use of contributions are important (SBC and state) and yet do not strongly agree they are efficient today

• Almost one quarter of pastors strongly agree how CP dollars are allocated (among all and between states and national) is important but do not strongly agree they are allocated appropriately today

Concerns with the Cooperative Program

Cooperative Program Summary continued

• Two thirds of SBC 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, missions magazines and videos

• Churches are split as to their primary source of resources to promote the CP with state conventions and SBC entities being the most common

Promotion of the Cooperative Program

42%

32%

56%

34%

30%

60%

38%

31%

64%

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

Allocates contributions amongstate, national, and global

ministries, missions and entitiesappropriately

The division of contributionsbetween the state conventions

and the SBC is appropriate

The most effective and efficientway to support the spread of the

gospel worldwide

Laity Other Ministers Pastors

Currently Describes the Cooperative Program

% Strongly Agree

Q2

68%

41%

37%

67%

35%

31%

74%

34%

32%

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

Allows my church to supportmore missions endeavors

efficiently than we could on ourown

The SBC entities it supports usethe contributions efficiently

The state convention entities itsupports use the contributions

efficiently

Laity Other Ministers PastorsQ2

% Strongly Agree


67%

60%

33%

66%

57%

34%

71%

61%

36%

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

Supports SBC entities,ministries, and missions that my

church values

Supports state conventionentities, ministries, and

missions that my church values

Protects churches from directfunding appeals by entities


% Strongly Agree


59%

51%

67%

53%

46%

60%

62%

54%

73%

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

Allocates contributions amongstate, national, and global

ministries, missions and entitiesappropriately

The division of contributionsbetween the state conventions

and the SBC is appropriate

The most effective and efficientway to support the spread of the

gospel worldwide


Importance of Potential CP Benefits

Q3

% Strongly Agree

71%

61%

59%

64%

53%

53%

76%

65%

63%

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

Allows my church to supportmore missions endeavors

efficiently than we could on ourown

The SBC entities it supports usethe contributions efficiently

The state convention entities itsupports use the contributions

efficiently


% Strongly Agree


68%

63%

43%

61%

55%

36%

72%

63%

43%

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

Supports SBC entities,ministries, and missions that my

church values

Supports state conventionentities, ministries, and

missions that my church values

Protects churches from directfunding appeals by entities


% Strongly Agree


72%

65%

73%

65%

55%

71%

68%

56%

74%

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

Educates and equips pastors,missionaries, and other ministry

leaders

Provides resources to addressthe social, moral and ethical

concerns of our faith andfamilies

Provides resources to plantchurches in North America and

around the world


Importance of Cooperative Program Objectives

Q4

% Strongly Agree

47%

65%

77%

36%

54%

76%

45%

61%

83%

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

Supports everything it should

Supports missions andministries in my state

convention

Sends and supportsmissionaries in North America

and around the world

Laity Other Ministers PastorQ4

% Strongly Agree

Importance of Cooperative Program Objectives

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

4% 3% 2%

20%

71% 72%

18%6%2%1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

NeitherAgree norDisagree

SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree

1% Don’t Know1% Don’t Know

Pastors Level of Agreement

Service LevelCurrently DescribesImportance

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

4% 5% 4%

24%

61%

22%

63%

8%3%1%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




The Cooperative Program protects churches from direct funding appeals by entities

7% 12% 10%

36%43%

24% 25%13%6%5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




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

5% 3% 3%12%

74%

14%

76%

5%2%1%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




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

5% 10% 8%

35%

65%

34%21%

6%2%1%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




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

6% 11% 9%

34%

63%

32%21%

7%2%1%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




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

5% 8% 9%

32%

62%

38%24%

7%2%1%0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




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

7% 11% 12%

54%

31%30% 27%8%3%1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




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

6% 5% 7%17%

73%64%

15%6%2%1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree


SomewhatAgree

StronglyAgree




Percentage of church budget currently allocated to: The Cooperative Program

2%

16% 17% 18%26%

14%

0%

20%

40%

0% >0 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 8% >8 - 10% >10%• The median known percentage is 8%Over the last 5 years• 12% indicate the percentage decreased• 51% indicate the percentage stayed the same• 32% indicate the percentage increased

8% Don’t Know

Pastor Responses: % of Church Budget

Q5 & Q6

Percentage of church budget currently allocated to: your local Association

• The median known percentage is 3%Over the last 5 years• 13% indicate the percentage decreased• 52% indicate the percentage stayed the same• 31% indicate the percentage increased

4%

33% 32%

16%

5%0%

0%

20%

40%

0% >0 - 2% >2 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 10% >10%9% Don’t Know

Q5 & Q6


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


49%

15%5% 3% 4% 3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

0% >0 - 2% >2 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 10% >10%21% Don’t Know

Q5 & Q6


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


25% 28%

10% 9% 6% 6%

0%

20%

40%

0% >0 - 2% >2 - 4% >4 - 6% >6 - 10% >10%17% Don’t Know

Q5 & Q6


17% Don’t Know

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


45%

25%

5% 4% 3% 1%0%

20%

40%

60%

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

Q5 & Q6


Church’s construction budget expenditures

Over the last 5 years• 12% indicate the budget decreased• 45% indicate the budget stayed the same• 36% indicate the budget increased• 7% don’t know

Pastor Responses:

Q6

Church’s overall budget expenditures

Over the last 5 years• 14% indicate the budget decreased• 14% indicate the budget stayed the same• 69% indicate the budget increased• 3% don’t know

Q6

Pastor Responses:

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

10% 9%

80%

10%20%

70%

11%

29%

61%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%LaityOther MinistersPastors

Q8

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

10%

26%

64%

11%

32%

57%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%State forwards>36.73% to SBC

State forwards< 36.73% to theSBC

Q8

Pastor Responses:

Indicates statistically significant difference

Preferred Cooperative Program Allocation Budget

IMB 50.00% 50% 50% 50%NAMB 22.79% 23% 23% 23%SBC Seminaries 22.16% 22% 22% 22%ERLC 1.65% 1.65% 1.65% 1.65%SBC Operating Budget 3.40% 3.35% 3.4% 3.4%

Current Allocation Pastors

Other Ministers Laity

Median Preferred Allocation:

Q9


IMB 50.00% 49.51% 48.79% 48.09%NAMB 22.79% 24.67% 24.36% 24.62%SBC Seminaries 22.16% 20.28% 20.84% 20.95%ERLC 1.65% 2.10% 2.28% 2.43%SBC Operating Budget 3.40% 3.43% 3.72% 3.91%

Current Allocation Pastors

Other Ministers Laity

Mean Preferred Allocation:

Q9


IMB 18% 65% 16%NAMB 18% 19% 63%SBC Seminaries (1%=0) 60% 20% 20%ERLC (7%=0) 31% 22% 46%SBC Operating Budget (2%=0) 51% 24% 25%

Percent of Pastors Compared to Current Allocation:

Q9

Preference = Current

Preference > Current

Preference < Current

Indicates majority of pastors

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 waysQ10

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

Description of the Cooperative Program that best reflects view of churches

36%44%

13%2% 0% 5%0% 4%1%

12%

48%35%

1% 3%2%13%

44%36%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

over-whelmingly

positive

mostlypositive

mixed mostlynegative

over-whelmingly

negative

unaware

LaityOther MinistersPastors

Q10

6%

94%

8%

92%

13%

87%

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

GenerallyDissatisfiedwith the CP

GenerallySatisfied with

the CP


General Opinion of the Cooperative Program

Q18

73%

19%

23%

62%

66%

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

Promote once-a-year offeringsfor the SBC entities

Conduct a month-long emphasison missions each year

Budget a fixed amount formissions

Budget a percentage of offeringsfor missions

Promote the CooperativeProgram

Activities Used by Churches to Emphasize Missions Giving

Pastor Responses:

Q11

1%

2%

67%

4%

14%

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

Missions giving not emphasized

Provide auto funds transfer withdesignated giving for missions

Provide offering envelopes that allowdesignated giving for missions

Request annual pledges or promisesfor missions giving

Promote year-long offerings for SBCentities

Activities Used by Churches to Emphasize Missions Giving

Q11

Pastor Responses:

50%

12%

10%

8%

12%

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

Pastor Responses:

49%

23%

51%

72%

62%

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

Missionary speakers

PowerPoints

Prayer guide

Bulletin inserts

Posters


Q12

Pastor Responses:

7%

41%

23%

54%

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

None of theabove

State papersubscriptions

Exhibits ordisplays

Missionsmagazines


Q12

Pastor Responses:

The CP Division of the Executive Committee, 16%

State convention, 35%

Associatonal leadership, 9%

Other, 3%

We develop our own, 7%

Individual SBC entities, 30%

Primary Source for Resources to Promote the Cooperative Program

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

Q13

Stewardship

Stewardship Summary

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

• Almost half offered a planned giving or estate planning emphasis

• Testimonies of people who gave faithfully/ sacrificially also were shared by a third of churches

• Small group studies on financial stewardship were not used by 60% of churches

• New Day for Financial Freedom were only used by 2% of churches last year

Stewardship Summary continued

• Churches look within for guidance on promoting and teaching stewardship

• The minority who looks outside their church, turn to their state and/or association

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

24%

32%

15%

65%

18%

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 to supporta capital fundraising campaign

Preached sermon/ series specificallyaddressing financial stewardship/

giving

Conducted a Stewardship Sundayemphasis

Stewardship Activities Conducted by Churches in last 12 months

Q14

Pastor Responses:

15%

8%

48%

6%

20%

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

Pastor Responses:

3%

9%

13%

14%

2%

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

Pastor Responses:

60%

8%

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

Pastor Responses:

5%

31%

22%

23%

11%

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

Internet search

Members of our church

Associational leadership

State stewardship director

Stewardship Division of theExecutive Committee of the

Preferred Sources of Guidance on Promoting and Teaching Stewardship

Q16

Pastor Responses:

2%

9%

1%

4%

12%

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

Independent consultant

Preferred author

Preferred distributor

Preferred publisher

Christian bookstore


Q16

Pastor Responses:

5%

10%

74%

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

Other

Ministerialstaff memberat our church

Our pastor


Q16

Pastor Responses:

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

12% 16%31%

18%7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Does NotDescribeat All 1

2 3 4 DescribesVery Well

516% Don’t Know

Q17a

Pastors Description of Congregation

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

16%31% 27%

15%4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%



57% Don’t Know

Q17b


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

2% 6%22%

37% 30%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%



53% Don’t Know

Q17c


Documents

Cooperative Program and Stewardship