LYNCHBURG, Va. — Funding for Virginia Baptist ministries next year will largely remain at 2013 levels if a proposed budget is adopted by the Baptist General Association of Virginia next month.
The recommended $12,214,000 budget for 2014, unveiled by the BGAV budget committee at the Oct. 8-9 meeting of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, is slightly more than the current $12,100,000. The bulk of the $114,000 increase —about $90,000 — will fund increases in health coverage for Mission Board staff and insurance premiums on properties, budget committee chair David Washburn told the board.
“Everything else is in line with this year,” said Washburn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Va. Later in the meeting the board approved Washburn’s nomination as treasurer of the Mission Board and the BGAV.
Budget committee chair David Washburn presented a proposed BGAV budget for 2014. (VBMB photo by Nathan White)
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This year’s budget was significantly reduced from 2012 totals, with allocations for some partner agencies shifted in what budget planners said gave higher priority to evangelism, discipleship and new church starts. Washburn said encouraging reports at this week’s Mission Board meeting indicated the strategy was successful.
“The movement we made last year has put us in a good position,” he told the board.
As in previous years, the proposed budget divides allocations between BGAV ministries — which in 2014 would be $8,794,080 — and world mission causes, totaling $3,419,920 next year.
The recommendation continues to offer churches three pre-set giving tracks and a fourth customized option, all of which divide funds between BGAV ministries and national and international causes.
The percentage divisions remain unchanged:
• The World Missions 1 track provides 66 percent for Virginia ministries and 34 percent for Southern Baptist Convention ministries.
• The World Missions 2 track provides 72 percent for BGAV ministries and 28 percent for a combination of Virginia, SBC, CBF and other ministries.
• The World Missions 3 track provides 72 percent for Virginia ministries and 28 percent for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship ministries.
In a separate report, treasurer Eddie Stratton said about 35 percent of the BGAV’s 1,396 churches contribute through the customized giving track. Another 26 percent select WM1, 28 percent WM2 and 11 percent WM3.
Stratton, who will retire as treasurer in December, said BGAV receipts at the end of August were 6.37 percent lower than the same time last year. Contributions to the 2013 budget were about $828,000 below budget requirements at the end of August.
In 2012, BGAV churches funded about 98 percent of the budget and gave over $22,000 more than they had in 2011. Stratton said it’s too early to tell if 2013 will continue that trend.
The Mission Board does not approve BGAV budgets — they come as direct recommendations to the BGAV from the budget committee — but bylaws require the budget to be presented to the board for “information and counsel.” Messengers will be asked to adopt the budget at the Nov. 12-13 annual BGAV meeting in Fredericksburg, Va.
Robert Dilday ([email protected]) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.