I believe the Cooperative Program of Southern Baptists is a Holy Spirit-inspired strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission given by our Lord to His church in Matthew 28:18–20. The vision and the effectiveness of the Cooperative Program are amazing. Sometimes someone will ask, “How many missionaries are supported by your local church?” The answer for any “cooperating” Southern Baptist church is 5,359 international missionaries and 5,153 North American missionaries.
This magnitude of ministry could not be supported without the Cooperative Program of Southern Baptists.
Churches are always encouraging biblical stewardship (tithing). If churches are urging their membership to tithe, should not churches themselves tithe to the Lord’s work? Is it not reasonable for Southern Baptist churches to give 10 percent to the Cooperative Program or at least give to the Cooperative Program and the local Southern Baptist association in a way that would add up to 10 percent?
The size, income or vastness of a church’s ministry should not impact a church’s commitment to tithe.
Tithing is biblically based: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse … (Mal. 3:10).” The challenge is equal to all churches regardless of size, visibility or influence.
I am a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church of Ardmore, Ala. We would not be classified as a small or large church. Piney Grove Baptist gives 14 percent to the Cooperative Program and 4 percent to Limestone Baptist Association.
This is a total of 18 percent. I am thankful to be a member of a church that possesses this kind of vision for missions support.
Imagine what our Lord could do through Southern Baptist international missions and North American missions and other ministries if over 40,000 Southern Baptist churches would tithe through Southern Baptist causes supported by the Cooperative Program. “I can only imagine!”
Ray Stonecypher
Ardmore, Ala.
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