How to Promote the Cooperative Program in Your Church

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podcasting pastor Is it possible that you have someone in your church who doesn’t know about the Cooperative Program? Unfortunately, our churches are filled with members who don’t understand the Cooperative Program, but don’t want to appear stupid by asking about it. What are the keys to promoting CP in your church so that it stays in front of your people, but doesn’t become boring to them?

1.    TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are many free materials that are available for use in your church. We gladly provide brochures explaining the distribution of CP funds, posters that highlight CP giving, or general pamphlets that help people understand the needs in our world. You can use them as bulletin inserts or make them available during Sunday School or other church meetings. We highly recommend that you have them available throughout the year somewhere in the church building so that interested people can pick them up at any time. There are also special CP promotion month packets that contain a wealth of resources for pastors, Sunday School teachers, children’s workers, and more.

2.    MAKE THE MOST OF ALL PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
We often think that CP promotion is dependent upon printed media, but that may not be the most effective tool. A two minute testimony preceding the offering that shares a salvation experience made possible by our CP giving may be just the spark people need to place a little more in the plate. A sermon illustration that includes a one-line statement such as “this woman came to Christ as a result of your giving through the Cooperative Program,” might be just the reminder people need to know that their giving is having an impact on the world. Periodic children’s Sunday School activities that highlight CP, our missionaries, and their incredible results might ignite a flame in a young heart. All of these ideas take very little time, but serve as potent reminders of the importance of the Cooperative Program and our responsibility to it. While occasional videos in services work great, it is the small reminders that we hear repeatedly that drive home the fact that CP really is making a difference in the world on a continual basis.

3.    FOCUS ON IMPACT
Most churches think that Cooperative Program promotion is synonymous with the latest pie chart of the percentage breakdown of fund distribution. While this is important, it really does little to motivate Southern Baptists to give. Instead of relying on graphics, why not focus on impact! When people see that their giving is having an eternal impact here in Arkansas, across America, and around the world, they know that CP is relevant. The more relevant they think the Cooperative Program is to fulfilling the Great Commission, the more likely they are to sacrifice to support it. So, as you are sharing that pie chart, tell a story of how a life was changed through our giving to that entity. With limited resources, limited power to contribute to causes, people want to know that their sacrificial gift is has unlimited potential to change lives.   Nothing motivates people to support the Cooperative Program like hearing about changed lives.

4.    HAVE A YEARLY CELEBRATION EMPHASIS
Even with everything mentioned above, it is still good to have one service or season of emphasis each year to highlight the Cooperative Program. To avoid repetitiveness, focus on new victories for that year, sharing stories of conversions, the latest statistics from all of our CP funded endeavors, and celebrating all that God has used us to accomplish around the world. A yearly emphasis reminds people of all the varied ministries that their money is supporting while also helping them see the eternal impact they are having. Using the CP Promotion Month Packets makes it easy to have all the information you need. Whether you choose a “Lest We Forget” monthly theme or a “Celebrate the Victory” service, your church needs to be challenged to be Great Commission people.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that all your church members already understand the Cooperative Program. With an influx of new members from non-SBC backgrounds or transfer growth from churches that may not have promoted CP, you may have many in your congregation who don’t have a clue. Could it be that by promoting the Cooperative Program and celebrating the victories of all that it does in our world, your church giving would increase and passion for missions would sweep through the church?

Rusty Hart Rusty and his wife, Lori, served with the International Mission Board in Russia for 8 ½ years before joining the ABSC staff in 2010. They live in Little Rock with their three daughters, Laura, Megan, and Hannah.

Contact Us

Arkansas Baptist State Convention
800.838.2272 (toll free in AR) or
501.376.4791