For many years Southern Baptists were engaged in a theological battle. The stakes were high. Would Southern Baptists continue to be people of the Book? Would we remain anchored to the historic faith of our forefathers or would we continue in the drift of culture? Southern Baptists clearly reaffirmed the veracity of Scripture. The crisis was averted.
Today most Southern Baptists agree regarding the inerrancy of Scripture. Most acknowledge the urgency of the Great Commission. However, we are once again facing a looming crisis. It is perhaps a more subtle crisis, but no less real. The crisis is not one simply of theology but is reflected 
in math.
While affirming Scripture in general and the Great Commission in particular with our statements and programs, the simple math of our lives does not match the confession of our lips. According to a SBC funding report given to the Executive Committee in 2003, the average Southern Baptist in America gives about 2 % of his or her income each year to their church. The average SBC church gives roughly 6 % through the Cooperative Program. The amount of Cooperative Program dollars kept by State Conventions varies. Let’s assume that a State Convention keeps 60 % of the Cooperative Program gifts and forwards 40 % of a church’s gifts to the SBC for distribution through its formula. The International Mission Board then receives 50 % of that formula for taking the gospel to the nations. That means for an average Southern Baptist who earns $50,000 per year, only $12 of their income makes it to the mission field through the Cooperative Program. Most families spend more than that on fast food, not in a year, but in a single trip to a restaurant. Even if a person tithes to their church, only about $60 of a $50,000 salary on average makes it to the mission field through the Cooperative Program. That is more than a fast food meal, but hardly more than one meal for a family at a nice restaurant.
I know that Great Commission work is being done by our churches as well as by our State Conventions and through other venues and special offerings. However, the Cooperative Program is our flagship financial mechanism for taking the gospel to the nations. However we analyze it, $12 going to the IMB out of a $50,000 salary seems inadequate. This must change. Mark Twain said that the only one who likes change is a wet baby. Change is often painful, but change we must.
As a convention we recognized the seriousness of the theological issues of a generation ago and changed the course of history. We stand today at a similar crossroad. Our obedience to Christ and the Great Commission must be reflected not only in our prayer for the nations but in the math of our lives. God will hold us accountable not only for our doctrinal integrity, but how we live out the gospel in our churches, conventions, and most importantly our personal lives.
