LYNCHBURG, Va. (BP) — The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia approved two resolutions Nov. 8-9 calling for continued support of its Cooperative Program unified giving plan, as well as increased CP commitment from its churches.
During its annual meeting, the SBCV also approved a $9 million budget for 2011, which represents a 2 percent decrease from 2010 and which will send 50.5 percent of Cooperative Program receipts to national and international mission causes through the Southern Baptist Convention.
The SBCV was organized in 1996 by churches which expressed disagreement with the theological stance of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and with what they said was the BGAV’s diminished ties to the Southern Baptist Convention.
This year’s meeting – the SBCV’s 14th — was held at Hyland Heights Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va.
The SBCV has divided its Cooperative Program contributions between the Southern Baptist Convention and its own ministries since its inception. Last year, messengers agreed to 0.25 percent increases to the SBC each year for 10 years.
This year the SBCV encouraged churches to give at least 10 percent of their offerings through the Cooperative Program and also affirmed the Great Commission Resurgence movement.
About 540 messengers from 182 churches attended the meeting, along with 637 guests. Mark Becton, pastor of Grove Avenue Baptist in Richmond, Va., was elected to a second term as president.