September 9, 2002

BGCT proposes budget growth to $50.9 million
___By Marv Knox
___Editor
___Despite recent financial downturns, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is considering a 2003 budget of almost $50.9 million, an increase of 7.1 percent over the current $47.5 million goal.
___The growth-oriented budget would reverse declines that have been spurred by a competing state convention and an ailing economy.
___The BGCT Administrative Committee approved the '03 budget Aug. 29-30 in Dallas. To take effect, the proposal must be approved by the BGCT Executive Board Sept. 24 and then by messengers to the convention's annual session Nov. 11-12.
___Of the $50,878,793 goal, $46,235,362 is targeted to come from affiliated churches through the Cooperative Program giving plan. The balance, $4,643,431, is expected from ot

THESE CHILDREN, all residents of South Texas Children's Home in Beeville, are among the thousands touched each year by Baptist General Convention of Texas ministries funded through the BGCT Cooperative Program. Next year, institutional ministries that encompass four child care ministries, six health care ministries, three aging care ministries, two academies, two seminaries, a theological school and a theological education system will receive $26 million in BGCT funding statewide. (Ferrell Foster/BGCT Photo)

her sources, including earnings on investments and changes in the way churches channel their contributions.
___The Cooperative Program goal does not include the amount of funds BGCT churches contribute to such worldwide enterprises as the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Since those gifts are directed by the churches, they are channeled to the recipients but not counted as part of the budget goal.
___Last year, BGCT churches gave $36.4 million to the SBC, including $18.2 million through the national Cooperative Program, $12.9 million to the Lottie Moon Offering for international missions and $5.3 million to the Annie Armstrong Offering for North American missions. BGCT churches also gave almost $2.3 million to the CBF, including $1.3 million to its operating budget and $969,000 to its global missions offering.
___More than $1 million of the 2003 budget increase is expected from two primary sources--contributions to a new giving plan and endowment income.
___The new giving plan, also approved by the Administrative Committee at its meeting, asks churches to earmark a greater percentage of their contributions to BGCT causes and a smaller percentage to worldwide causes. It would allocate 79 percent to the BGCT and 21 percent to a choice of worldwide recipients, as opposed to the current 72.3/27.7 split.
___In return, churches will utilize a simplified contribution form that no longer redirects gifts away from several SBC agencies, such as its six seminaries, the Executive Committee and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. (See related story.)
___The budget gains are earmarked for a variety of ministries and projects, which will be beneficiaries of changes in the funding structure.
___For example, the new giving plan is expected to generate $683,467 in new budget funds. This money would provide new or increased revenue for nine causes--Mexico Partnerships, African-American ministries, Hispanic work, intercultural initiatives, bivocational and small churches, associational projects, theological education, Texas Baptist Men and a new world missions network. The missions network will facilitate global ministries conducted by BGCT-affiliated churches, associations and other groups. (See related story.)
___Endowment income also is tabbed to raise $412,999 in new funding for five of those causes--Mexico Partnerships, African-American ministries, intercultural initiatives, Texas Baptist Men and the world missions network--as well as Hispanic Baptist Theological School in San Antonio.
___More indirectly, roughly $1 million that has been labeled part of the beyond-Texas budget is being brought into the BGCT budget for 2003. It will help to fund Texas Partnerships, Mission Service Corps, River Ministry and the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention, which the BGCT helped to form.
___Funds redirected from 2002 to 2003 are expected to provide almost $1.2 million for five causes--Hispanic work, the Christian Life Commission, Hispanic Baptist Theological School, theological education and human welfare ministries. This amount is equivalent to funds these causes have received as funds redirected from SBC causes in the 2001 and 2002 receipts. They are expected to be available as Texas CP funds in 2003, because the suggested portion to be retained for BGCT use is higher.
___And less than $100,000 in miscellaneous changes--allocated to administrative costs in the Baptist Building--round out the budget increase.
___Other budget recipients, such as institutional ministries and a number of Baptist Building programs, remain essentially unchanged from 2002 to 2003.
___BGCT Administrative Committee members quizzed Executive Director Charles Wade about the feasibility of a 7 percent increase when recent budgets have shrunk.
___Wade cited three reasons why the budget is attainable and added a caveat to protect over-spending.
___"First, we can promote the budget better," particularly with the new giving plan in place, he said.
___The current plan has drawn the ire of churches who wish for the state convention to maintain a closer relationship with the SBC. They particularly have protested a cap on contributions to the SBC seminaries and redirection of funds around other agencies. Consequently, a majority of churches have ignored the convention's Adopted Budget, and many have continued to split their funds in ways more favorable to the SBC.
___The new giving plan "removes confusion" regarding worldwide allocations and presents a more harmonious option, he said.
___Second, the BGCT has placed more personnel across the state to focus on churches, Wade added.
___Third, the BGCT can do a better job of focusing on the monumental missions and ministry needs it faces, he noted. "We're going to have to keep talking about the Texas challenge and ask our churches to help us."
___Wade acknowledged the Baptist Building staff most likely would start the year spending under the budget, to protect against over-spending if budget receipts do not meet expectations.
___"Probably, we will begin spending at the 90 percent level," he said.
___The overall Texas CP budget directs the $50.9 million to nine missions and ministry areas:
___ Institutional ministries, $26,354,459. Ministry support includes eight universities, four child care ministries, six health care ministries, three aging care ministries, two academies, two seminaries, a theological school and a theological education system.
___ Church missions and evangelism, $7,649,262. Center for Strategic Evangelism, prayer and spiritual development, Church Starting Center, additional support for new churches, Texas Partnerships Resource Center, Mission Service Corps, missional church strategy, Center for Community Ministries, lay ministry development, chaplaincy relations, River Ministry.
___ Church health and growth, $4,551,029. Bible study/discipleship, minister-church relations, counseling and psychological services, Texas Baptist Leadership Center, church personnel information services, church membership resourcing, church music, congregational stewardship, personal stewardship, church facilities.
___ Office of executive director, $3,555,478. Executive director and associate executive director, regional BGCT offices, Texas Baptist Missions Foundation, Texas Baptist Historical Collection, Cooperative Program services, human resources, Communications Center.
___ Financial management, $2,656,830. Chief financial officer, controller, information systems, building and support services, business and reports, insurance contingency and operations.
___ Associational missions and administration, $2,231,093. African-American ministries, Hispanic work, intercultural initiatives, bivocational and small churches, support for associations, work with BGCT committees.
___ Other missions and ministries, $2,178,027. Ministers' protection plan, BGCT contingency, Minnesota/Wisconsin Baptist Convention, the new world missions network.
___ Texas Baptist Men, $926,888.
___ Christian ethics and public life, $775,727. Christian Life Commission, Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs.
___

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