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THE BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION OF NORTH CAROLINA
Cooperative Program Giving Plans Study Committee
Dear North Carolina Baptists:
Thank you for visiting the online survey created by the Cooperative Program Giving Plans Study Committee. On October 29, 2007 the Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC) directed Board President, Allan Blume, to appoint a committee to study the four giving plans utilized by North Carolina Baptist churches. To assist the study committee in its work, a survey has been prepared for North Carolina Baptists with the goal of obtaining important information from churches across the state. If you wish to go directly to the survey, please scroll to the bottom of this page and select the survey link. Prior to completing the survey, the committee asks each participant to review the information below outlining the history and current use of the multiple giving plans:
History of the Giving Plans
Prior to 1991 there was one giving plan in North Carolina known as the Cooperative Program giving plan. Under this plan a portion of funds were disbursed to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and to the Southern Baptist Convention.
In 1991 the BSCNC established an optional giving plan in which the portion of funds disbursed to the Southern Baptist Convention was cut by two-thirds and designated to theological education in North Carolina, special missions and to a special fund for annuitants. With the new optional giving plan, the existing plan became known as “Plan A” and the new plan as “Plan B.”
In 1995 a third plan was created now known as “Plan C.” This plan allowed churches to take the portion of funds disbursed to the Southern Baptist Convention in Plan B and disburse these funds to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
In 1999 a fourth plan was implemented and identified as “Plan D.” This plan reduced the percentage of funds allocated to the BSCNC by about one-fourth, giving the same amount to the Southern Baptist Convention as Plan A; decreased giving to the theological education at universities, and increased giving to Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute.
Use of the Giving Plans
For the churches that financially supported the BSCNC in 2007, 59.2% gave to Plan A; 9.3% to Plan B; 4.9% to Plan C; 18.2% to Plan D; and 8.2% of churches utilized more than one plan. Prior to the formation of the Cooperative Program multiple giving plans, North Carolina Baptist churches had the right to negatively designate a limited number of ministries in the Cooperative Program budget. With this in mind, the BSCNC now has nearly 80 different giving plans currently channeling funds through the Baptist State Convention office.
Among North Carolina Baptists, some believe multiple giving plans are beneficial, whereas others feel these plans are divisive. The Giving Plans Study Committee is examining the feasibility of the current giving plan structure and needs your help. The committee desires the input of all North Carolina Baptists. Thank you for sharing your opinion through your participation in the following survey.
The Cooperative Program Giving Plans Study Committee
Purpose of the BSCNC
Finally, the study committee asks each survey participant to be mindful of the state purpose of the convention. The BSCNC Articles of Incorporation, Article IV. presents the Purposes of the convention:
A. To assist the churches in their divinely appointed mission; to promote missions,evangelism, education, social services, the distribution of the Bible and sound religious literature; and to cooperate with the work of the Southern Baptist Convention; and
B. To do any and all acts and things which may be deemed desirable or expedient for the benefit of the programs of the Convention.
Thank you for taking time to read this background material regarding the giving plans and for investing your time in the completion of the survey.
Sincerely,
The Giving Plans Study Committee