NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention called for a "radical reprioritization" of spending in remarks to convention leaders Sept. 21.
In his first remarks to the SBC Executive Committee, Bryant Wright, pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., said his church formerly gave 10 percent off the top of its receipts to the Cooperative Program, a unified funding plan that funds work of both state and national Baptist organizations.
That was until some lay leaders became "absolutely appalled" to learn that 60 percent of those funds remained in the state and just 16 cents of each dollar made its way to international missions.
"They said, 'Pastor, how can you justify this?'" Wright said. "I couldn't justify it, because in their mindset all those dollars were about missions." After the discussion the church adjusted its giving to send more denominational mission funds to international mission.
"It is my hope and dream, knowing the autonomy within our convention, that the leaders within our state conventions will take a radical, prayerful look at this priority," Wright said. "State leaders could be the real heroes here. They are controlling the funds. The Southern Baptist Convention has no authority in this area. It is my hope that there will be a radical reprioritization so that we can bring about these thousands of people groups who have practically no witness of the gospel."
Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.