Messengers approve 2007 budget
Messengers to the 2006 SC Baptist Convention Annual Meeting today approved the 2007 budget for the Convention.
Mike Moody, chairman of the Budget, Audit and Finance committee, reported the Executive Board approved a $32,750,000 budget for 2007 which reflects a $600,000 increase over the 2006 budget. Moody reported that the Convention has met or exceeded the budget requirements every year for the past 10 years except 2003. However, Moody also noted a steady decline of percentages in giving through the Cooperative Program from 9.11% in 1996 to 7.9% in 2005.
The 2007 budget also provides that contributions received beyond the budget will be placed in a Kingdom Challenge Fund that will be divided 50-50 between the Southern Baptist Convention and the South Carolina Kingdom Challenge Fund. The SC Kingdom Challenge Fund will be used for special mission opportunities throughout the year.
The budget also reflects a one-time increase of $99,000 for the South Carolina Ministries to the Aging.
The Executive Board also recommended to messengers an increase in the amount a church must contribute in the previous year to the SC Baptist Convention to $500 per staff member to be eligible for the Church Staff Retirement Plan. This is an increase of $420 per staff member.
The Board also recommended to messengers a two-year extension of the South Asia mission partnership through 2009.
Messengers also voted to dedicate the 2006 SC Baptist Convention Annual to Dr. Carlisle Driggers.
