Acknowledging the current state of the national economy, Rick Lance urged state convention messengers to support a 3 percent Cooperative Program (CP) budget increase for 2009.
“Despite economic shortfalls in the past, Alabama Baptists have been among the most faithful givers in the world,” said Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. “No matter how negative it is, we are going to remain true to the Great Commission.”
Pointing to 2 Timothy 4:5 — “keep your head clear … endure hardship … do the work of an evangelist … and fulfill your ministry” — he said, “We are optimistic and realistic looking ahead toward 2009.
“There are some negative things we see in our culture, but there are some positive signs we can feel good about,” Lance said, noting three.
1. “We are reclaiming our commitment to the Great Commission.”
2. “We are reaffirming our partnerships with churches and associations,” Lance said. “We are accountable. We want to be there for the churches.”
3. “We are re-emphasizing our cooperation with our larger Baptist family … such as with disaster relief.
“Please remember those of us in state missions as we seek to impact those that are lost in Alabama,” he said.
While noting there has been a steady 2 percent to 3 percent increase in the CP budget each year since 2001, Lance assured Alabama Baptists that “we will not allocate what does not come in.” (TAB)
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