Lexington Baptist Church in Lexington understands that money follows missions.  The congregation also believes in the importance of an Acts 1:8 missions strategy, in which they organize opportunities to reach their community, state, nation and world.  When coupled these two characteristics make Lexington a strong missions-minded church.

In fact, the church has set up a budget just for local, state, national and international missions in addition to their ministry budget.  From the missions budget, church members give to the Janie Chapman and Annie Armstrong Offerings.  The church also allots more than $100,000 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which supports missions trip and missionaries world-wide.  At the same time, the church contributes 12.5% of its ministry budget to The Cooperative Program.

Currently the church is among the top ten giving churches in South Carolina, and this includes The Cooperative Program and the Janie Chapman, Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon Offerings. 

According to Rick Fisher, pastor, the church members are motivated to give because they want to be obedient to the Biblical mandate that commands Christians to tithe.  It does not stop there though.  Another motivating factor is the opportunity for church members to see how their giving affects missions—a trait Fisher calls “personalization.”

“Making it personal enables people to see where their money is going and to get feedback on the difference it makes to give,” he said.

Fisher also strongly believes that “stewardship lays at the feet of all pastors.”  For his part, Fisher leads by example by remaining transparent so the congregation knows that he tithes and gives offerings. 

“Leadership of the pastor is very important.  Southern Baptist pastors have to step up and release the resources.  We at least have to be doing the right thing as far as stewardship is concerned,” he said.

As they continue to give generously to The Cooperative Program and to specific missions offerings, Lexington Baptist Church members have also built new church facilities; become missions volunteers in places such as Germany, Africa, China and Connecticut; and, started local ministries as they respond to their growing community. 

One such program, aptly named “Share Your Blessings,” enables church members to participate in Christmas Packets for Prisoners, Operation Christmas Child and in a Thanksgiving food packet distribution. 

“Financial giving and support is a tangible way to measure obedience,” Fisher said.

Despite recent economic turbulence, Fisher still calls church members to greater giving, as he believes that if people are stretched, it is unlikely that they will return to their old ways.

“You can mess a church up by letting them build their own kingdom,” Fisher said.  Instead, Lexington Church is empowering Kingdom growth through financial giving and living out their Acts 1:8 missions strategy.