NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Giving to the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program, which supports missions and ministry efforts of state and regional conventions, is up nearly 6 percent compared to last year.
Baptist Press reported that as of Nov. 30, the year-to-date total of $31.7 million is $1.8 million ahead of contributions received at the same point last year. Monthly receipts of $16 million, however, were 1.26 percent below the November 2002 level.
Designated giving of $8 million is up 28.8 percent from the same year-to-date period last year. The 4.7 million in designated gifts for November is $1.2 million above last year, a 33.6 percent increase.
The SBC operates on an Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fiscal year.
The Cooperative Program total includes receipts from individuals, churches, state conventions and fellowships, the news service reported.
Designated contributions include the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund and other special gifts.
