Texas Baptist churches lag in funding switch

Christian Century, May 16, 2001

After last fall's historic vote redirecting millions of dollars away from Southern Baptist entities, only a small percentage of churches affiliated with the moderate-oriented Baptist General Convention of Texas have given through the new budget. Only 16 percent of contributing churches have given via the budget adopted overwhelmingly last October, reported Associated Baptist Press.

The budget called for reducing funding to the six Southern Baptist seminaries by $4.3 million and cutting another $1.1 million of funding from the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and the Executive Committee. But the nearly 6,000 Baptist churches in the state can choose whether their gifts are distributed through the approved budget or optional giving plans. Fifty-one percent have opted for the traditional funding pattern that preceded the new budget, 16 percent are contributing through the adopted budget, and others have chosen an alternate category of giving.

The current giving patterns of the churches has meant that operations for the state convention are now under budget. Since January, convention offices have been functioning at 90 percent of budgeted expenditures, said Roger Hall, convention treasurer. Three theological schools supported by the state convention also have received far fewer funds than anticipated from the new budget, and some projects have been put on hold due to lack of funding.

Texas Baptist leaders say it is too early to project giving patterns for the entire year, and some churches may be delaying discussions about budget options to avoid controversy in their congregations. The vote last fall was viewed as the latest stage in the moderate-conservative struggles within the Southern Baptist Convention.--RNS