SBC Omnibus 2012Cooperative Program

Findings

Survey of 1,066 SBC Pastors

2

Methodology The mail and on-line survey of SBC pastors was

conducted from April 1 - May 11, 2012 The mailing list was randomly drawn from a

stratified list of all SBC churches (7,000 in the South and 1,000 each in the Northeast, West, and Midwest).

Surveys were mailed to the senior pastor with the option of completing on-line

Responses were weighted to reflect the geographic distribution and worship attendance of SBC churches

3

Methodology Continued

The completed sample is 1,066 surveys The sample provides 95% confidence that the

sampling error does not exceed +3.0% Margins of error are higher in sub-groups

Survey Responses

5The following table shows the mean and standard deviation of the responses. It also includes the percentage of churches that entered the current distribution percentage for each of the organizations.

Numbers shown are percentages

16% of churches entered the current distribution for all organizations.

Current Distribution of CP FundsInternational Mission Board (50.20%)North American Mission Board (22.79%)SBC Seminaries (22.16%)Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission (1.65%)SBC Operating Budget (3.20%)

Please indicate in the blanks provided how you believe your church would prefer the (national) SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget to be proportioned. n=657

Organization Mean Std Dev % current

IMB 49.58 9.56 20%

NAMB 25.85 9.87 18%

SBC Seminaries 19.78 5.62 20%

Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission 1.97 2.01 23%

SBC Operating Budget 3.50 2.70 23%

6

The following table shows the distribution of responses for each of the five areas. The median response is close to the current distribution of funds.

Numbers shown are percentages

Current Distribution of CP FundsInternational Mission Board (50.20%)North American Mission Board (22.79%)SBC Seminaries (22.16%)Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission (1.65%)SBC Operating Budget (3.20%)

Please indicate in the blanks provided how you believe your church would prefer the (national) SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget to be proportioned. n=657

Organization Min 25% Median 75% Max

IMB 0.0 50.0 50.2 51.0 100.0

NAMB 0.0 22.79 23.0 27.0 100.0

SBC Seminaries 0.0 20.0 22.0 22.16 41.0

Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission 0.0 1.0 1.65 2.0 22.0

SBC Op Budget 0.0 3.0 3.1 3.21 34.0

7

Please indicate the priority your church places on supporting and partnering with each of the following SBC Missions and

Ministry opportunities currently fueled by the SBC Cooperative Program Allocation

Budget.

8

5% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Educating and training future pastors, missionaries, church planters and SBC leaders.” n=964

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

7% 9%

21%

31%26%

The majority consider educating and training at least a high priority.

9

6% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Intentional church planting in large urban centers in North America.” n=969

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

10%16%

24%28%

15%

Less than half consider intentional church planting in large urban centers at least a high priority.

10

3% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Sending and supporting overseas missionaries to reach unreached people groups around the world.” n=968

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

3% 5%

19%

36% 33%

Nearly 70% consider sending and supporting overseas missionaries at least a high priority

11

5% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Reaching ethnically and culturally diverse people in large cities across North America.” n=968

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

7%12%

25%33%

18%

Just over half consider reaching ethnically and culturally diverse people at least a high priority.

12

2% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Engaging in local ministry projects for evangelism.” n=967

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2%9%

21%

38%

27%

Around two-thirds consider engaging in local ministry projects for evangelism at least a high priority.

13

6% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Engaging in direct international missions and ministry projects.” n=965

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

8%

17%24%

30%

16%

Almost half consider engaging in direct international missions at least a high priority.

14

5% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Intentional church planting in cities and towns across North America.” n=957

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

10%17%

24% 27%

17%

Over 40% consider intentional church planting in North America at least a high priority.

15

4% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Improving the vitality and health of existing churches.” n=967

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

4%10%

23%28% 31%

Almost 60% consider improving the vitality and health of existing churches at least a high priority.

16

5% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Developing and implementing an evangelism strategy for individuals and churches to use to penetrate lostness in neighborhoods and cities across America.” n=964

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

4%10%

22%

33%27%

60% consider developing and implementing an evangelism strategy for penetrating lostness at least a high priority.

17

4% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Promoting an ongoing program of missions education for all ages.” n=964

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

4%

14%

31%27%

21%

Under 50% consider promoting an ongoing program of missions education at least a high priority.

18

5% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Conducting an ongoing program of leadership development.” n=957

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

5%

16%

29% 29%

16%

Less than half consider conducting an ongoing program of leadership development at least a high priority.

19

4% Don’t Know

Q: “SBC efforts at coordinating … Providing a Christian perspective and response about social, ethical and public policy issues.” n=955

Among SBC Pastors

Not a Priority Low Priority Medium Priority High Priority Essential0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

8%

18%

34%

22%15%

Less than 40% consider providing a Christian perspective and response at least a high priority.

20

Please indicate how much you agree that the following characteristics currently describe the Cooperative

Program

21

6% Don’t Know

Q: “The Cooperative Program fuels an aggressive global enterprise of reaching the unreached people groups around the world.” n=1009

Among SBC Pastors

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2% 5% 6%

30%

51%

Over 80% agree the CP fuels an aggressive enterprise of reaching UPG around the world.

22

5% Don’t Know

Q: “The Cooperative Program provides partnership opportunities for local, state and national missions.” n=1000

Among SBC Pastors

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2% 4%8%

32%

48%

80% agree the CP provides partnership opportunities for missions.

23

11% Don’t Know

Q: “The SBC entities that the Cooperative Program supports are moving in the appropriate direction with the strategies they have in place.” n=1003

Among SBC Pastors

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

6%13% 14%

31%24%

The majority agree the SBC entities supported by the CP are moving in the appropriate direction.

24

12% Don’t Know

Q: “The SBC entities that the Cooperative Program supports use their contributions effectively.” n=1002

Among SBC Pastors

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

6%14% 17%

29%24%

Over 50% agree the SBC supported by the CP use their contributions effectively.

25

7% Don’t Know

Q: “The Cooperative Program supports SBC ministries and missions that my church values.” n=1008

Among SBC Pastors

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

3%8% 9%

32%41%

Almost 75% agree the CP supports SBC ministries and mission my church values.

26

9% Don’t Know

Q: “The SBC Allocation Budget places a high priority upon penetrating lostness both locally and worldwide.” n=991

Among SBC Pastors

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neither Agree nor Disagree

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

3%7%

11%

31%38%

Nearly 70% agree the SBC Allocation Budget places a high priority on penetrating lostness.

2781% of pastors said their church kept their contribution to the Cooperative Program the same as last year

81%

11%

6% 3%

Kept it the same as last yearRaised it from last yearDecreased it from last yearOur church does not contribute to the Co-operative Program

Among SBC Pastors

Q: “What decision has your church made relative to the Cooperative Program in the most recent church budget process?” n=1008

28

Of those churches making a change in their giving to the Cooperative Program, 41% increased it by less than 2%

Decision Mean Median

Raised it from last year 2.23% 1.00%

Decreased it from last year -3.15% -2.00%

Decrease by 5.0% or more

Decrease by 2.0% to 4.9%

Decrease by -0.1% to 1.9%

No Change Increase by 0.1% to 1.9%

Increase by 2.0% to 4.9%

Increase by 5.0% or more

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

9%

17%

10%

1%

41%

15%

7%

Q: “What decision has your church made relative to the Cooperative Program in the most recent church budget process?” n=1008

Among SBC Pastors

29

Nearly 40% of pastors have not heard of the 1% CP Challenge

Has not heard of the 1% CP Challenge

Has not yet accepted, but plan to do so next budget year

Has not accepted the 1% CP Challenge

Increased, but more than one percent

Increased, but not a full percent

Accepted the 1% CP Challenge

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

38%

8%

42%

2%

3%

7%

Q: “What has been your church’s response to the 1% CP Challenge?” n=972

Among SBC Pastors

30

Significant Differences

Church SizeRegion

Pastor Age

31

Significant Statistical Differences Comparisons were made to determine if there are any

significant statistical differences among church sizes, region of the country, and pastor age. Each category was divided intro four groups.

Church Size Region Pastor Age

0-49 attendees Northeast 18-44

50-99 attendees South 45-54

100-249 attendees Midwest 55-64

250+ attendees West 65+

Notes:Church Size is based on the average weekly worship attendanceRegion is defined by US Census locations

32Please indicate the priority your church places on supporting and partnering with each of the following SBC Missions and Ministry opportunities currently fueled by the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget.

• Educating and training future pastors, missionaries, church planters and SBC leaders.

• There are no differences based on church size, region of the country, and pastor age.

• Intentional church planting in large urban centers in North America.• Pastors age 65+ (22%) are the most likely to select “Essential”

• Sending and supporting overseas missionaries to reach unreached people groups around the world.

• Larger churches, 100-249 (42%) and 250+ (47%), are more likely to select “High Priority” compared to smaller churches, 0-49 (33%) and 50-99 (29%)

• Churches 0-49 (7%) are the most likely to select “Not a Priority”• Pastors age 55-64 (0%) are the least likely to select “Don’t Know”

33Please indicate the priority your church places on supporting and partnering with each of the following SBC Missions and Ministry opportunities currently fueled by the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. continued

• Reaching ethnically and culturally diverse people in large cities across North America.

• Churches 0-49 are the most likely to select “Don’t Know” (8%) and “Not a Priority” (12%) but the least likely to select “Medium Priority” (20%)

• Engaging in local ministry projects for evangelism.• Churches 0-49 (30%) are the least likely to select “High Priority”

• Engaging in direct international missions and ministry projects.• Churches 0-49 (16%) are the most likely to select “Not a Priority”• Churches 250+ (5%) are the least likely to select “Low Priority”• Churches 250+ (53%) are the most likely to select “High Priority” while

those 0-49 (17%) are the least likely• Pastors age 55-64 (2%) are the least likely to select “Don’t Know”

34Please indicate the priority your church places on supporting and partnering with each of the following SBC Missions and Ministry opportunities currently fueled by the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. continued

• Intentional church planting in cities and towns across North America.• Churches 0-49 (16%) are the most likely to select “Not a priority”• Pastors age 55-64 (2%) are the least likely to select “Don’t Know”

• Improving the vitality and health of existing churches.• Churches 0-49 are the least likely to select “High Priority” (20%) but are

more likely to select “Essential” (39%) compared to larger churches, 100-249 (25%) and 250+ (23%)

• Pastors age 65+ (41%) are the most likely to select “Essential”• Developing and implementing an evangelism strategy for individuals

and churches to use to penetrate lostness in neighborhoods and cities across America.

• Pastors age 55-64 (3%) are the least likely to select “Don’t Know”• Pastors age 65+ (38%) are the most likely to select “Essential”

35Please indicate the priority your church places on supporting and partnering with each of the following SBC Missions and Ministry opportunities currently fueled by the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget. continued

• Promoting an ongoing program of missions education for all ages.• Churches 0-49 (20%) are less likely to select “High Priority” compared

to larger churches, 100-249 (35%) and 250+ (35%)• Churches 0-49 (26%) are more likely to select “Essential” compared to

larger churches, 100-249 (18%) and 250+ (12%)• Pastors age 65+ (34%) are the most likely to select “Essential”• Pastors age 18-44 (23%) are the most likely to select “Low Priority”

• Conducting an ongoing program of leadership development.• Pastors age 65+ (29%) are the most likely to select “Essential”

• Providing a Christian perspective and response about social, ethical and public policy issues.

• Pastors age 65+ are the most likely to select “Essential” (26%) and the least likely to select “Low Priority” (8%)

36

Please indicate how much you agree that the following characteristics currently describe the Cooperative Program• The Cooperative Program fuels an aggressive global enterprise of

reaching the unreached people groups around the world.• Churches 0-49 (10%) are the most likely to select “Don’t Know”• Pastors age 18-44 (36%) are the least likely to “Strongly Agree” while

those 45-54 (48%) are the next least likely• Pastors age 55-64 (0%) are the least likely to “Strongly Disagree”

• The Cooperative Program provides partnership opportunities for local, state and national missions.

• Churches 0-49 (9%) are the most likely to select “Don’t Know”• Pastors age 18-44 (39%) are the least likely to “Strongly Agree”

• The SBC entities that the Cooperative Program supports are moving in the appropriate direction with the strategies they have in place.

• Churches 0-49 (23%) are the least likely to “Somewhat Agree”• Pastors age 65+ are the most likely to “Strongly Agree” (64%) and the

least likely to “Somewhat Disagree” (6%)

37

Please indicate how much you agree that the following characteristics currently describe the Cooperative Program continued• The SBC entities that the Cooperative Program supports use their

contributions effectively.• Pastors age 18-44 (14%) are the least likely to “Strongly Agree”• Pastors age 55-64 (2%) are the least likely to “Strongly Disagree”

• The Cooperative Program supports SBC ministries and missions that my church values.

• Churches 0-49 (12%) are the most likely to select “Don’t Know”• Pastors age 18-44 (35%) are less likely to “Strongly Agree” compared to

pastors 55-64 (44%) and 65+ (45%)

38

Please indicate how much you agree that the following characteristics currently describe the Cooperative Program continued• The SBC Allocation Budget places a high priority upon penetrating

lostness both locally and worldwide.• Smaller churches, 0-49 (12%) and 50-99 (11%), are more likely to select

“Don’t Know” compared to larger churches, 100-249 (6%) and 250+ (4%)

• Churches 50-99 (0%) are the least likely to “Strongly Disagree”• Pastors age 18-44 (33%) are less likely to “Strongly Agree” compared to

pastors age 55-64 (45%) and 65+ (42%)• Pastors age 55-64 (0%) are the least likely to “Strongly Disagree”

39

What decision has your church made relative to the Cooperative Program in the most recent church budget process?

• Churches 0-49 (5%) are the most likely to select “Our church does not contribute to the Cooperative Program”

• Churches 0-49 (6%) are the least likely to select “Raised it from last year”

• Pastors age 65+ (2%) are the least likely to select “Decreased it from last year”

40

What has been your church’s response to the 1% CP Challenge?

• Churches 0-49 (37%) and 50-99 (36%) are less likely to select “Has not accepted the 1% CP Challenge” compared to churches 100-249 (48%) and 250+ (57%)

• Churches 0-49 (44%) and 50-99 (44%) are more likely to select “Has not heard of the 1% CP Challenge” compared to churches 100-249 (30%) and 250+ (22%)

• Churches 0-49 (0%) are the least likely to select “Increased, but not a full percent”

• Pastors age 65+ (14%) are the most likely to select “Has not yet accepted, but plan to do so next budget year”

SBC Omnibus Cooperative Program

Findings

Survey of 1,066 SBC Pastors