WHEREAS, Upon the semicentennial anniversary of the Cooperative Program, 32 influential Southern Baptist leaders signed a “Declaration of Cooperation” which expressed their affirmation of Southern Baptist Great Commission cooperation, their appreciation for the Cooperative Program, and their solidarity in continuing the work; and
WHEREAS, Jesus has given us, his followers, the Great Commission and empowered us by his Holy Spirit to accomplish its end (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8); and
WHEREAS, The biblical doctrine of cooperation compels us to work together and thereby effect a greater reward for our efforts (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12); and
WHEREAS, Upon the adoption of the Cooperative Program at the 1925 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, the SBC Executive Committee declared that “the successes of the future depend upon the heroic spirit shown by our people at this time,” then urged the pledging of Southern Baptists “in the fullest support to the Cooperative Program as the best and most practical way of meeting our obligations and providing for the ongoing of all our enterprises”; and
WHEREAS, Since 1925 the Cooperative Program has provided a comprehensive funding mechanism for like-minded Baptist churches to support missions in all the world, all the time, at the same time; and
WHEREAS, As a result of Cooperative Program commitment and by the grace of God, our Baptist life has prospered in terms of unity, missions, and ministry throughout Baptist state conventions and Cooperative Program-funded national and international enterprises; and
WHEREAS, During these past 100 years Southern Baptists have deployed more than $20 billion through the Cooperative Program, demonstrating both the vast wealth God has entrusted to their stewardship and their willingness to sacrificially invest that wealth into Great Commission cooperation through Southern Baptist enterprises; and
WHEREAS, We have made a great commitment to our Southern Baptist missionaries, both at home and abroad, and to the ongoing work of our Southern Baptist entities and state conventions, all whose Great Commission efforts are supported and sustained through Cooperative Program giving; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That we affirm the Cooperative Program as a missions-funding strategy God has blessed to support and strengthen Southern Baptist efforts to share the Gospel throughout the world; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we are grateful for Southern Baptist churches and individuals that give faithfully and sacrificially through the Cooperative Program; and be it finally RESOLVED, That we commend all who promote, support, and renew their commitment to the Cooperative Program among our family of churches, mission boards, seminaries, entities, local Baptist associations, and state conventions.