Note: The following concludes a series of articles published throughout 2003
in the Baptist Message regarding the Cooperative Program and how it is at work
throughout Louisiana and the rest of the world.
Note: The following concludes a series of articles published throughout 2003
in the Baptist Message regarding the Cooperative Program and how it is at work
throughout Louisiana and the rest of the world.
Religious organizations and religious leaders have been viewed in a negative
connotation for many years.
In this era of sometimes dissenting diversity, it is hard for a lot of people
to agree on any one thing. Indeed, in this suggested phase of economic decline,
“giving” seems to go against human nature, especially when monetary
self-promotion always seems to be societys tacit goal.
Why, then, in a downturn year would September have been the third-highest month
for Cooperative Program giving in Louisiana Baptists 77-year history?
In the true spirit of Occams Razor, it would seem that the most obvious
answer is the right one – people are good.
People like helping other people. Altruism is always “the right thing
to do,” and that is why giving programs exist – to help facilitate
that truth.
And that, even during a time when it is hip to be adversarial, is something
anyone can agree with.
Anyone could agree with giving to such staples as the Louisiana Baptist Childrens
Home, an establishment, which, since 1899, has provided education, care, and
counseling for children and families with problems; the Baptist Retirement Center,
which, since 1960, has provided compassionate care for persons who are in need
of more attentive care; and Louisiana College, a four-year liberal arts college,
which, since 1906, has offered undergraduate degrees from 15 academic departments
and has been listed as an educational heavyweight in both Barrons Best
Buys in College Education and Americas Best Colleges.
However, the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program has intentions that are
hardly limited to this state. While 65 percent of giving stays in-state to help
local communities, the remaining 35 percent is invested in altruistic causes
both in the United States and around the world.
But these are just statistics, numerical assessments of “where the money
is going” – they do not tell the true story of what it is donors are
accomplishing when they give.
“Over $1 million given to church development” should really read,
“over 400 women helped because a pregnancy counseling center was built
in Leesville.”
Instead of “over $3 million given to general services in 2003,” perhaps,
the record books should read, “helping to make sure weary, over-traveled
seamen have a friendly face to remind them God cares about them.”
And perhaps, instead of “5 percent of overall budget concentrated in collegiate
ministries,” the statistic should say “letting students know that
even they can make a difference in their world.”
Religion may not be hip these days. In a society saturated with commercialized
spirituality – from television evangelists to “Im a Christian”
designer apparel – it is hard to remember, or even know, what it means
to truly live in Christ.
Where one stands on the issue of spiritual priorities is beginning to seem
as arbitrary as the local diners soup du jour.
In the midst of this, finding a steadfast solution to lifes changing
demands can be especially difficult; but for many religious organizations and
groups, among them Louisiana Baptists, staying on track is as simple as remembering
one thing – we are here because of him.
(For more information about the Louisiana Baptist Convention, visit www.lbc.org)