Frequently Asked Questions

The Cooperative Program (CP) is the Southern Baptist Convention’s financial fuel for reaching every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state, and every nation.

It starts with church members’ tithes and offerings. Churches then decide each year how much of their budget will be sent through the Cooperative Program. The State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (SCBI) allocates a portion of these funds to stay in the state for mission work and the remainder is forwarded on for national and global mission work.

When churches give CP funds through the SCBI, a portion of those funds stay in Indiana for our cooperative work, fueling our vision of connecting for Kingdom advancement through church and pastor health, multiplication, and mobilization. Specifically, it funds strategies for partnering with churches, church revitalization and health resources, our Highland Lakes Camp & Conference Center, and many other resources and development opportunities.

A portion of the funds are also forwarded on to the Southern Baptist Convention. Several national entities benefit from this allocation, including the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, our six theological seminaries and libraries and archives, the Executive Committee of the SBC operating budget, and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Giving to the CP is easy. It can be done online or by mailing a check to our Convention office. To give online or to see where to send a check, visit our website at scbi.org. For assistance on giving, please contact Tracy Stewart tstewart@scbi.org.

Yes, a church can designate where and how much is designated to a particular entity. While we encourage general giving for the CP in its regular allocation, we are wise enough to know that churches give according to certain convictions and a heart for certain missions.

No, the church would not be considered a cooperating church with the national SBC. The church would still need to give an additional gift to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (both of which can be given through SCBI), or directly to a specific national entity.

Currently 64% of funds given through the Cooperative Program stay in Indiana for our missional work. To see how these funds are allocated, please visit the Cooperative Program section of our website.

No, giving funds to your local Association is not considered CP giving. Those funds stay within the Association and benefit the missional work of the Association, and the churches involved in the Association. Associational leaders do not forward these funds on for the Cooperative Program.

No, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is an annual offering collected to support international missionaries. The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is an annual offering collected to fund mission work in North America. There is no allocation of these funds. 100% of the funds given for these two offerings go to support their respective missions.

Yes, we offer resources on our website that church leaders can use in their churches. Additional resources can be found on the Southern Baptist Conventions website.