Cooperative Baptist Fellowship:
What's It All About?
(Taken from "CBF: An Introduction,"
published by the CooperativeBaptist Fellowship)
OUR MISSION
 Officially
organized in May 1991, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship began
as a grassroots movement of free and faithful Baptists. We are
united by a common commitment to find new ways to fulfill the
Gread Commission, Jesus' call to "Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything that I have commanded you." (Matthew
28:19, RSV).
Our mission statement, adopted in July 1995, says: "We
are a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a
passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and a commitment
ot Baptist principles of faith and practice.
Our mission is to network, empower, and mobilize Baptist
Christians and churches for effective missions and ministry in
the name of Christ."
OUR PRIORITIES
Our mission
statement identifies seven priorities--
 | Doing global missions in a world without borders.
A number of missions distinctives shape CBF's No. 1
priority. Among them--an emphasis on global missions,
rather than "home" or "foreign"
missions, assignment of missionaries to entho-linguistic
people groups rather than nations, and focus on the
world's "unreached people groups" who have
little or no Christian witness. |
| Championing Baptist priniciples of faith and practice.
We share a commitment to the principles that have shaped
us as a people. Soul freedom, Bible freedom, church
freedom and religious freedom are essential to our
understanding of what it means to be a Baptist. |
| Affirming our diversity including, but not limited to
ethnicity, race, and gender, as a gift from God. We
are inclusive in spirit, in language, and in practice.
Our members and our elected leadership include men and
women and laity and clergy of differing ages, colors,
language and ethnic backgrounds. |
| Networking Baptist churches and individuals for
cooperation, encouragement, and exchange of information
and ideas. From regional conferences to electronic
communication, CBF exists to strengthen the ties that
bind us and to act as a catalyst for exciting new
ministries and cooperative ventures. |
| Empowering churches through resources more than
programs. We are committed to providing creative and
innovative resources that meet the needs of individual
members and congregations. |
| Emphasizing strategic partnerships more than owning
institutions. This approach allows us to maximize
resources without detracing our attention from the
mission and ministries that form the core of our
organization. |
| Cooperating through new ventures that encourage
innovative and creative approaches to missions and
ministry for the 21st century. We enourage new ideas
for activating our shared commitment to carrying out the
Great Commission. (For more information, call CBF
at 800-352-8741).
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OUR ORGANIZATION
The missions and
ministries of the Fellowship lie in the hearts and hands of its
members. A national Coordinating Council of elected
representatives from each state or geographic region meets three
times a year to give guidance to our work together. A moderator,
elected at our annual General Assembly, presides over these
sessions. A number of planning groups and task teams coordinate
the work of four ministry groups in the areas of global missions,
Baptist principles, church resources, and administration.
Organizationally, the Fellowship seeks to be dynamic,
flexible, and responsive. A coordinator directs a leadership and
resource team based in Atlanta, a crossroads for international
travel and communication.
Trust and respect are the cornerstones of our cooperative
approach. Every year more churches and individuals are finding a
home in the Fellowship family.
OUR GROWTH
The Fellowship is supported by Baptist individuals and
congregations with an interest in global missions, Baptist
principles, church resources, and other cooperative ventures.
Designated contributions are channeled according to the donor's
specific instructions.
Since 1991, the number of churches contributing to the
Fellowship has more than trippled. Contributions to the mission
and ministries of CBF have increased by more than 500%, an
average of 170% each year.
1995-96 MINISTRY ALLOCATIONS
July 1, 1995-June 30, 1996
A Global Missions*-----$5,936,140 (59.00%)
B Baptist Principles-----$2,376,801 (23.62%)
C Administration-----$1,306,391 (12.98%)
D Church Resources-----$442,920 (4.40%)
Total $10,062,252
*Does not include an estimated $3.25 million from the
special global missions offering.
OUR INVITATION
We want to partner
with you and your church, to equip you with practical resources
and to empower you to use your fits in ministry. If you share our
convictions and have an interest in mission and ministries, we
invite you to . . .
| Check us out--
CBF offers a variety of free resources that further
explain who we are and highlight the vital ministries of
which we are a part. These include "What a
Fellowship," a 15 minute introductory video. Just
call at 800-352-8741.
|
| Talk to others--
We encourage healthy conversation about the ideas and
minsistries of the Fellowship. Talk to those who have
joined this movement of Baptist Christians. Invite a CBF
speaker from your state or region. Engage in churchwhide
or group discussions about the Fellowship and what it
offers.
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| Be our guest--
CBF gathers annually for worship, business, networking,
and fellowship at a General Assembly. This event is held
on the fourth Thursday through Saturday of June in a
different region of the country each year. The General
Assembly brings together Fellowship members, partner
organizations, missionaries and friends from around the
globe. It's an ideal opportunity for fellowship with
other Baptists and to experience firsthand the dynamic
spirit of the CBF family. The next meeting will be in:
Louisville, Ky. (June 25- 27, 1997).
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| Join with us--
If you'd like to be a part of this growing network of
Baptist Christians and churches, a contribution of any
amount will serve as an expression of your desire to link
your lives with us in ministry. If your church
contributes to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, you
are already a member. We would also welcome you to join
us as an individual member by sending a contribution of
any amount. Contribution statements are mailed quarterly
to churches and annually to individuals. Your canceled
check serves as your receipt. As a member, you will
receive a free subscription to Fellowship News,
published 10 times a year. For information on additional
resources, call 800-352-8741.
Welcome to CBF!
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