Baptists tackle shrinking budgets, yearly agenda

Southern Baptist leaders and church members from Georgia will gather in Jonesboro today through Tuesday to handle such business matters as declining donations and setting agendas for the coming year.

No serious contention is expected in elections of state leaders, as it is customary for those serving a first-year term to be elected to a second one-year term.

“It’s not really an election year,” said Georgia Baptist Convention spokesman Eddy Oliver.

About 1,500 to 2,000 people are expected for the meetings at Jonesboro First Baptist Church.

The economy’s effect on church giving will be on the agenda. Baptist churches give a portion of their donations to statewide and national programs that support everything from foreign missionaries to providing hurricane relief or feeding the hungry. The proposed budget for the donations, known as the cooperative program, is down more than 5 percent this year, from $52 million to $49 million.

“Every year, it seems like an adjustment needs to be made. We’ll have to see how it pans out and what our churches will be able to commit to,” said the Rev. Dan Spencer from Thomasville, a state officer.

One motion that will come to the floor for a vote would allow a committee of state officers to turn down donations from organizations or churches whom the committee decides may be in conflict with the church’s guiding principles.

Oliver said that motion could protect Georgia Baptists from questionable donations, such as property that is contaminated, or from accepting money from a group such as a liquor distilling company.

Southern Baptists frown on drinking.

Other motions can come up as voting members see fit, as Baptists emphasize the independence and participation of congregations. Southern Baptists make up the state’s largest denomination.

BY THE NUMBERS

3,572 —- Southern Baptist churches

1,391,499 —- Members

541,894 —- Average Sunday attendance

$1,084,365,540 —- Total church receipts in 2007

Source: Georgia Baptist Convention