For 2026, the Cooperative Program (CP) allocation will remain as approved by the messengers of the 2025 Convention.

At the 2026 Convention meeting, a motion is likely to be made for reallocation after the SCBMA and Convention Boards have had the opportunity to reimagine a new ministry model. Most of these CP dollars will most likely be used for staffing and funding the new annual ministry model for senior adult mission and ministry.

SCBMA and Convention Boards will work on a recommendation throughout 2026 and include the proposal in their motion at the 2026 annual Convention meeting.

Financial resources will be required throughout 2026 to fund staff, finalize the sale of the properties, and cover legal fees and contracts related to the management of the SCBMA’s financial and tangible assets.

Any current designated funds will be used for their designated purposes. Beginning in 2027, after legal counsel and upon 2026 messenger approval, those assets would either transfer to Convention management or another course of management may need to be pursued.

At least for the foreseeable future, SCBaptist churches will still be encouraged to take up a Mother’s Day offering to assist retired ministers and their spouses with financial needs. These funds would be applied directly to the designated cause as they are currently.

While some changes are always possible under new ownership, these communities are home to their residents, and protecting that stability is a top priority.

The SCBMA Board has set three key criteria for selecting a buyer: one who values our Baptist heritage, has the financial strength to complete the purchase, and is committed to providing excellent care. We believe these priorities will help ensure continuity and quality for current and future residents.

The SCBMA will need to refinance its current $16 million of debt by summer 2026, customer costs for residential care will need to be increased, and more loans will need to be pursued, adding to the current $16 million debt between $10–20 million immediately and another $15–30 million in the next 5–10 years. If these steps are not taken, the communities may face more urgent and more critical operational decisions in 2026 or 2027.

Very few Baptist state conventions still own and operate retirement communities. The ones that do are in the same scenario post-COVID as we find ourselves. Two state conventions have relatively sustainable models that are built upon either a very large endowment or an expanded scope and scale of services, accompanied by a high debt-to-income ratio.