Lea la narrativa del presupuesto en español aquí.

By Jeff Huett

DECATUR, Ga. – Cooperative Baptists attending the virtual General Assembly next week will vote on a budget proposal approved by the CBF Governing Board for a flat, yet balanced budget for the 2022 fiscal year that begins on October 1.

Through the first nine months of the 2021 fiscal year, revenue was holding to what was expected and formed the basis of the new budget proposal. In adopting the budget, the CBF Governing Board continued to pave the way for the Fellowship to live into the transition brought about by the 2021 reorganization as CBF continues to implement the findings of Toward Bold Faithfulness.

The CBF 2022 fiscal year budget proposal is available at www.cbf.net/budget. A budget summary document is available, as well as a detailed narrative that explains both revenue and expenditure projections.  

In addition to funding for searches already underway for field appointments for Global Service Corps and Global Missions career field personnel positions, the budget proposal includes an expansion of Together for Hope, a deepened investment in CBF’s Outreach and Growth ministry, including support for CBF’s commitment to racial and ethnic diversity, and expansion of resources for a process of church renewal called CBF Dawnings.

The budget proposal includes funding for the development of new resources for congregations and candidates and also a staff position to convene and coordinate CBF’s Ministerial Transitions ministry. Ministerial Transitions was once called Reference and Referral. Recognizing the vital role CBF state and regional organizations play in helping to support congregations and their leaders, CBF Global is collaborating with states and regions and other ministry partners to implement a new approach to the ministry of serving congregations and ministers in times of transition.

Jason Callahan, the chair of the Finance Committee of the CBF Governing Board, said the budget proposal reflects “an ongoing commitment to realistic projections in funding our initiatives for the upcoming year.”

“When the budget was approved last year, no one had any insight into what the next 12 months would bring,” Callahan said. “However, despite these uncertainties, CBF leadership created as much of a realistic budget as possible. And they have delivered on that budget for both revenue and expenses.”

“Revenue projections continue to be conservative based on actual revenue through the current year. Overall revenue is up slightly over the prior year. Expenses are flat compared to the prior year. The budget includes a slight salary increase for staff and field personnel and increased funding for staff insurance costs and expenses for staff travel and in-person meetings.” 

CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley said that this budget proposal is filled with expressions of innovative ministry and dynamic collaboration across our Fellowship as CBF continues to implement the findings of Toward Bold Faithfulness.

“I am grateful to my colleagues on the CBF staff and to the leadership of our Governing Board for work that has been done to propose a budget that allows us to take next steps in living out the priorities and practices that emerged from our Toward Bold Faithfulness process,” Baxley said. “The investments made in this budget will allow us take new steps in encouraging the thriving of congregations and their leaders while expanding our participation in Christ’s mission around the world and offering a compelling public witness to Christ’s power to heal and transform the brokenness in our world. 

“This budget arises not just from a vision of closer collaboration across our Fellowship most generously defined but, in fact, it emerges from growth in that collaboration with congregations, states/regions, partners, field personnel, chaplains and so many more. Most of all, I am grateful for the faithful financial participation of congregations and individuals that has allowed our ministries not only to be sustained during a challenging time but to begin a season of growth.”

Voting on the budget proposal will occur during the business session of the 2021 virtual General Assembly at 10:15 a.m. Eastern on Friday, August 27.

All attendees registered for General Assembly will receive an email containing voting instructions prior to the Friday morning vote.

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CBF is a Christian network that helps people put their faith to practice through ministry efforts, global missions and a broad community of support. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.