"High Definition Cooperative Program” or HDCP is what Rick Lance, executive director for the Alabama State Board of Missions, hopes to accomplish.
“I was intrigued by high definition television (HDTV),” Lance said. “So, I made a trip to the electronics store to find out more information on it. The salesman told me the main difference was the super-clarity in the picture, and that when you watch HDTV it looks like you’re there in person.
“I want us to have a high definition Cooperative Program with super clarity in missions,” said Lance during his report to the convention Nov. 18 in Mobile.
“The super clarity in our perception isn’t about facts, but people. It’s about Vacation Bible School, which brings between 7,000 to 10,000 professions of faith each year.
“It’s about Martha Myers who represents the best of Alabama Baptist life. It’s about missionaries, the Children’s Homes, our college and two universities who seek academic excellence in a Christian environment,” Lance said.
“In 1925, we began to be in the business of highly defined areas of missions. Alabama Baptists remain at the front of support of missions here and around the world,” he explained.
In the 2003 Book of Reports, Lance said 2004 will also afford “numerous opportunities for missions involvement in the ongoing partnership with Venezuela and Impact Northeast. Hundreds of Alabama Baptists have been a part of sharing the good news of Christ through these strategic partnerships.”
In his report Lance also said that despite the economic challenges of 2003 “it has been a good year for giving through the Cooperative Program and to the special offerings approved by the state convention.”
Recommending a base budget of $40,427,480, Lance said that although it will be a tight year, the board will “live within [its] means and be excellent stewards.”
According to Lance, since 1991 the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions has had an increase of 4 percent each year in its receipts.
But after Sept. 11, 2001, the increase has dropped to 1.7 percent and will need a 3 percent increase over the 2002 receipts to make the 2003 base budget.
“In 1999, we adopted a mission statement that reflects the four priorities adopted by the convention in 1998 to fulfill the Great Commission through reaching people for Christ, growing faithful disciples, developing Christian leaders and cooperating in local and global missions. We are more defined, clear and focused on the Great Commission,” said Lance.
“It’s important to remember that we don’t give to the Cooperative Program, but give through the Cooperative Program. We are fulfilling the Great Commission,” he said.
With a picture of the 20-foot, God-made cross at Ground Zero on the video screen, Lance described a rescue worker who found 47 dead people in the rubble. “One day he sees this metal cross … and smaller crosses that were formed when Tower 1 collapsed into Building 6. It reminds us that even in the worst experiences, Christ is still there.
“We’ve had a bad economy, but a good year in the Lord. Alabama Baptists have been faithful. We have a healthy convention family,” said Lance.
“Thank you for being the heart of what it means to be on Great Commission.”
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