Participating in God’s Mission
A Brief Guide for the Support of American Baptist Mission in the Great Rivers Region
Many of you have heard of the new Common Budget Covenant for ABC/USA and may be
wondering about its implications for you. These are some of the common questions.
While it is our intent that this be helpful, it is not exhaustive. If you have other
uncertainties, please do not hesitate to contact us for a more complete explanation.
For a ready-to-print version (pdf), click here.
- I hear there is a new “budget covenant” for mission giving. What does my
church need to do differently?
- Our church wants to “keep it simple.” This new covenant sounds complicated. What should we do?
- Our church likes options. We specify gifts for institutions, camps, and named American Baptist missionaries. Do we need to change?
- How much should our church give to American Baptist mission work?
- Our church has never helped support the mission and ministry of American Baptists. What should we do?
- Our church has two budgets—a “local expense” budget and a “mission” budget. Do we need to change?
- Our church is small. How can we participate in the larger mission of American Baptists?
- We are not sure we understand “United Mission.” Is it really used for missions?
- Why United Mission?
- What is the purpose of the Great Rivers Region? What is the vision?
- What Mission/Ministry does United Mission giving make possible in the GRR?
- I have more questions, how do I get some answers?
1. I hear there is a new “budget covenant” for mission giving. What does my
church need to do differently?
The short answer is “nothing.” Continue to send your offerings and gifts to the Great
Rivers Region using the usual MRDS Form. We will continue to send your church a
receipt and distribute the funds as you direct. If you are not certain about how to complete
the form, please contact John Grisham (217-726-7366)
2. Our church wants to “keep it simple.” This new covenant sounds complicated. What should we do?
The Common Budget Covenant sounds complicated because it gives lots of options.
However, that does not necessarily translate into complications for your church. The
simplest way for your church to participate in the worldwide mission and ministry of
American Baptists is through UNITED MISSION (UM). Every UM dollar helps support the
mission and ministry of the Great Rivers Region, National Ministries, International
Ministries, the Office of the General Secretary, and the work of the General Board of
ABC/USA. Some churches set UM as a percentage of their total church budget. That
way, as the church prospers so does the larger mission and ministry of American Baptists.
John Grisham (217-726-7366) will be happy to interpret United Mission, as well as other
giving opportunities.
3. Our church likes options. We specify gifts for institutions, camps, and
named American Baptist missionaries. Do we need to change?
No change is necessary. We encourage churches to identify those American Baptist
mission and ministry activities that mesh with their own passions. It is appropriate for the
church to direct its gifts in that way. Churches in the Great Rivers Region have a longstanding
tradition of supporting institutional ministries that are related to ABC/USA and are
not included in United Mission.
There are too many options for us to include in this short overview. Please contact John
Grisham (217-726-7366) and he will help your church discover how its passion for mission
can mesh with the many opportunities in American Baptist life. Tell us what you think God
is leading you to do.
At the same time, we believe that good stewardship demands that the church make
informed decisions about how they direct their giving. A church can heavily support
campus ministries, children’s homes, colleges, named missionaries, etc., and never give
one dollar to the support of regional mission and ministry, like area ministers, conferences,
camps, etc. John Grisham (217-726-7366) will be glad to give you the information you
need to make thoughtful decisions about your mission support.
4. How much should our church give to American Baptist mission work?
That is not an easy question. First of all, “mission work” is not an option and is not
restricted to a small area or concern. Jesus commanded us to make disciples in
Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. It was not a multiple-choice test.
“ Mission” doesn’t happen only in Thailand. It also happens in children’s homes,
schools/colleges/seminaries, camps, and regional conferences. So, make sure your vision
is large, in keeping with God’s vision. Second, every church circumstance is different. It is
not possible to make a hard and fast rule to be applied without exception. Finally,
American Baptists do not work on an “assessment” or “tax” system. Each church must
make a Spirit-led decision as to how it will participate in God’s plan of redemption and
reconciliation for the entire universe.
Having said that, every church is invited to commit at least 10% of its general fund or
operating budget (not including building funds) to the support of the larger American
Baptist mission and ministry. In this way, a church not only teaches tithing (the tenth), it
also practices it. Another 10% should be committed to local ministry and mission. Local
mission (some might say “outreach”) is directed toward those who are not members of the
church. While the exact nature of those local ministries and mission will vary, the church
that has lost its outward focus has lost harmony with God’s intent.
5. Our church has never helped support the mission and ministry of American Baptists. What should we do?
A good beginning place (and a simple one) is to participate in United Mission on a monthly
basis, and the four special offerings (World Mission Offering, America for Christ Offering,
One Great Hour of Sharing, and Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering). Please
contact John Grisham (217-726-7366) to discuss possibilities with you so we may help you
respond to the Spirit’s leading.
6. Our church has two budgets—a “local expense” budget and a “mission” budget. Do we need to change?
The two-budget system is an historic strategy in many congregations that works very well
where there is continuous education that invites members to support both the general fund
and the mission fund. There is no need for it to change simply because the Common
Budget Covenant has changed. However, it is our observation that one of the
consequences of membership mobility is that many persons in your church will not be
familiar with the two-budget system. They may not realize that simply giving to the church
automatically excludes missions. Ask John Grisham (217-726-7366) to help your church
design a mission education strategy.
7. Our church is small. How can we participate in the larger mission of American Baptists?
This is the genius of “cooperative missions.” Individual churches may not have the
resources to send missionaries, build schools, and sponsor training conferences on their
own. However, several of these churches, working together, pooling their resources, are
able to participate in American Baptist mission and ministry all around the globe. This way,
regardless of the size of gift, a church can confidently say: “We believe in the Great
Commission, and participate as God prospers us.” You should contact John Grisham
(217-726-7366) for two reasons. First, so he can teach about missions and explain
different ways you can participate. Second, so he can help your church develop an
appropriate stewardship education and stewardship promotion strategy that will obey God
by building disciples and empowering mission and ministry from home to the ends of the
earth. American Baptists are fond of saying: “The local church is the fundamental unit of
mission.” But the local church is also the fundamental unit of stewardship.
8. We are not sure we understand “United Mission.” Is it really used for missions?
United Mission was devised as a simple way for churches to have a part in American
Baptist mission and ministry activities through their Region, National Ministries,
International Ministries, the Office of General Secretary and the work of the General Board
of ABC/USA.
65% of every UM dollar stays in the region of origin. In the case of the Great Rivers
Region, UM accounts for about 73% of our entire operating budget. Because of UM, the
Great Rivers Region is able to have staff ministers who consult with churches and pastors,
operate three camping facilities, conduct conferences (like the Mission Conference),
sponsor special training events (with leaders like Kennon Callahan), offer scholarships for
the continuing education of ministerial leaders, and partner with Baptists in Costa Rica (just
to name a few things). The Region sends on 35% of UM (more than a tithe!) to the support
of National Ministries, International Ministries, the Office of General Secretary and the
General Board of ABC/USA.
The General Board of ABC/USA determines how the 35% will be allocated among the
various mission opportunities of the denomination. The work of National Ministries
includes the New Life 2010 emphasis, the Neighborhood Action Program, evangelism, and
discipleship resources (just to name a few). The work of International Ministries includes
missionaries appointed around the world, and partnership grants with indigenous Baptist
groups. The work of the General Secretary and the General Board includes the
“ governing” body of American Baptists, the production of informational resources, and
relationships with other church bodies around the world.
John Grisham (217-726-7366) would be happy to visit your church and talk about United
Mission.
United Mission is one concrete way your
church can respond to the Great Commission
(Matthew 28:19-20).
United Mission is the only contribution that
reaches across the entire network of
American Baptist mission and ministry.
Giving to United Mission is a testimony of
stewardship by your church.
Giving to United Mission is the number one
way to support our own regional ministries
and staff. (65% of United Mission dollars stay
in the Region)
10. The American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region
Our purpose is to challenge, empower, assist and represent YOU
as we labor together in God’s mission.
Our vision is healthy congregations engaged in effective mission
locally and globally.
11. Examples of Regional Ministry Made Possible by United Mission:
Regional Conferences (like Mission, Evangelism, Discipleship)
Pastoral Search Consultation
Pastoral Ordination and Discipline
Mission Speakers
Congregational Planning Consultation
Healthy Church Resource Development and Consultation
Church Retreat Leadership
Special Conferences like Kennon Callahan
Pastoral Colleague Networking
Mainstream
Stewardship Training and Resource Development
Continuing Education Scholarships
General Information Center for ABC Mission and Ministry
Training for Lay- and Bi-Vocational Pastors
12. I have more questions, how do I get some answers?
Any of your regional staff would be pleased to visit with church leaders and discuss strategies for developing resources for your local mission and ministry and opportunities to participate in the larger mission and ministry of American Baptists. Telephone us at 217-726-7366, or e-mail John (John@abc-grr.org) or Dwight (Dwight@abc-grr.org).
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