One easy prompt to help you understand the Cooperative Program
“If my church gives $50K to the CP and my state convention keeps half, how much does each SBC entity receive according to the proposed CP allocation budget?”
That question captures what many pastors and church members are wondering. You want to be faithful in giving, confident that the money is being stewarded well, and aware of where it’s going. But when it comes to the Cooperative Program (CP), the financial engine of the Southern Baptist Convention, the details can get confusing fast.
That’s where BaptistAI comes in.
Instead of wading through lengthy budget reports, pie charts, and allocation summaries, you can just ask one simple question – like the one above – and get a clear, customized answer in seconds. No spreadsheets. No guesswork. Just the clarity you need.
How Does the Cooperative Program Work?
The CP is built on a two-tiered model: churches give to their state conventions, and then those state conventions forward a portion of those gifts to the national SBC for funding missions, seminaries, and other ministry entities.
So if your church gives $50,000 to your state convention, and that state keeps 50% for in-state ministry, then $25,000 is forwarded to the SBC. The SBC then distributes that amount according to the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget, which is approved each year.
But here’s the challenge: figuring out exactly how much of your gift supports the International Mission Board (IMB), North American Mission Board (NAMB), the seminaries, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, or the Executive Committee typically requires a calculator and a budget PDF. Most churches don’t have the time or patience to do the math.
BaptistAI Does the Math for You
With BaptistAI, you can just ask:
“If we give $50,000 and our state retains 50%, how much goes to each SBC entity?”
And instantly get a response like:
$12,602.50 to the International Mission Board
$5,967.50 to the North American Mission Board
$5,477.50 split between six SBC seminaries
$412.50 to the ERLC
$747.50 to the Executive Committee
(Note: These are examples. BaptistAI pulls the actual allocation percentages from the most recent CP budget proposal.)
Why This Matters
Understanding the Cooperative Program isn’t just about dollars and cents. It’s about vision. When you know where your church’s gifts are going, you’re more invested in the mission they support. It builds trust, strengthens commitment, and helps your church celebrate how its giving fuels global missions, theological education, and gospel work across North America.
Simple, Accurate, and Always Up to Date
BaptistAI stays current with the latest CP budget proposals and can tailor answers to your church’s giving level and your state convention’s retention rate. You’ll never need to fumble through a PDF again.
Try asking your question today and see how one simple prompt can unlock a clearer understanding of Cooperative Program giving.
