It involves you…
Simply put, the Cooperative Program (CP) begins with you. You give yourself first to God (2 Cor. 8:5). Next, out of gratitude and obedience to God for what He has done for you, you commit to give back to Him, though your church, a portion of what He provides. This is commonly called a tithe and represents ten percent or more of your income (Lev. 27:30, Mal. 3:10).
It involves your church…
Every year your church prayerfully decides how much of its undesignated gifts will be committed to reaching people in your state and around the world through the Cooperative Program. This amount is then forwarded to your state Baptist convention.
It involves your Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware…
During the annual meeting of your state convention, messengers from your church and other churches across your state decide what percentage of CP gifts contributed by local congregations stays in your state to reach people and support local missions and ministries. The percentage forwarded to the SBC for North American and international missions and ministries is also determined at this time.
It involves your Southern Baptist Convention…
At the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, messengers from across the country decide how the gifts received from the states will be distributed among the SBC entities. These gifts are used by Southern Baptist entities to send and support missionaries through the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board; train pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders through six Southern Baptist seminaries; and address social, moral, and ethical concerns relating to our faith and families through the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
To put it another way, if you follow the people trail, you will find the CP making a difference in the lives of people in your state, across the nation, and around the world. Each person’s small gift has great impact. In other words: little is much.
This month we’re highlighting various ministries supported by the Cooperative Program in prayer. These missions are impacting the world 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with the message of God, and YOU are a part of it! Visit online at https://bcmd.org/31days for specific prayers you can pray for the next 31 days. Little is much when you get involved!