5. The Cooperative Program & Baptist Faith & Message Remain Rock-Solid

The Cooperative Program (CP), Southern Baptists’ collective giving effort, continues to  be a hallmark of denominational unity. In the 100 years of giving, our churches have  collectively contributed over $20 billion to CP—funding global missions, theological  training, and local ministry through seminaries and mission boards. Over 90% of our  congregations consider supporting missionaries through CP “very or extremely  important” according to a recent Lifeway study. 

In Dallas, we showed our unity by affirming the Baptist Faith & Message statement of  faith—showing doctrinal fidelity remains a glue that holds our convention together. 

As moderator Clint Pressley noted, the convention runs on “two rails”—confession and  cooperation. I believe it is our confession (Baptist Faith and Message) and cooperation  (CP) that lead us to collaboration to accelerate Gospel movement.

4. Mission-Sending Still the SBC’s Driving Force

Southern Baptists remain the single largest mission-sending denomination in North  America. Via the International Mission Board, over half of all CP funds in 2024 went  directly to sustaining missionary presence abroad, plus funding through the Lottie Moon  Christmas Offering totaling more than $300 million annually. That adds up to over 3500  missionaries around the world and more than 1600 prospective missionaries in our  missionary pipeline, that is more than at any time in our recent history. 

The International Mission Board’s Project 3000, Explorer initiative, is accelerating and  dispatching hundreds to identify unreached and unengaged people groups, with plans  to send 300 by 2026.  

These bold steps underscore SBC churches’ zeal to proclaim the Gospel far and wide— “sending more missionaries around the world and here at home than any other group of  churches.”

3. Send Network: Leading North American Church Planting

The SBC’s Send Network and the North American Mission Board, is now the continent’s  largest church-planting initiative. Since 2010 it has helped start more than 11,000 new  churches, with 767 additional plants in 2024 alone. 

As of 2024, the Network includes roughly 4,700 sending/partner churches and over  1,600 endorsed church planters. And impressively, more than 80% of Send-affiliated  plants are still thriving after four years, highlighting healthy church development. 

Textbook multiplication: “churches planting churches” is accelerating Gospel movement  across North America and right here in Michigan.

2. Family Friction, but Fellowship Wins

Yes, there were tense moments—like debates over the ERLC’s future and changing our  constitutional language on our affirmation of male-only pastoral leadership—but  messengers engaged respectfully. 

The vote to retain the ERLC passed despite pressure to abolish it. A constitutional  amendment to ban women from the title and function of pastor attracted support but  failed to reach the required two-thirds margin—affirming the messengers’ belief that the  Baptist Faith and Message is clear enough as it stands today.  

No matter where you land on these two issues, know that all the business was done  with a sweet spirit and the messengers focused on biblical essentials: Scripture, Gospel  clarity, and missions. Disagreements persisted—but wrapped in prayer and mutual  respect, illustrating family unity amid diversity.

1. “Southern Baptists Are a Force for Good”

Speaking at the convention as well as his address to our BSCM Annual meeting last  year, Dr. Jeff Iorg, President/CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, proclaimed,  “Southern Baptists are a force for good.”  

This theme threaded through resolutions passed in Dallas—condemnations of  pornography, sports betting, chemical abortion pills, and a call to legislate Christian  moral values. It aligns with long-held SBC identity while empowering missions, relief  efforts (like Send Relief), and child protection initiatives.

Final Thoughts

In short, while some aspects stirred debate, the trajectory of accelerating Gospel  movement, missionary sending, & cooperative giving unity is undeniable. Dallas wasn’t  a pivot—it’s an acceleration of what has already been set in motion. 

In the words of Jeff Iorg, Southern Baptists are more than a denomination—we are “a  force for good.” From funding global missionaries to planting churches in our  communities, this Annual Meeting was a powerful reminder: we’re in this together,  believing and working toward a world transformed by the Gospel. Proud to be a  Southern Baptist and proud to be a part of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan!