If you follow the goings-on of the SBC and IMB then you will undoubtedly know that the IMB is in a budget crisis. The Lottie Moon offering for 2008 was some $30 million dollars short of its goal. There were two primary responses to this shortfall. One, within the IMB, and the second, without the IMB.
The second response seemed to be the headline grabbing response. Dr. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Seminary, whom I respect and admire, called on the SBC at the annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky to take up a special offering in August of this year to help make up for the shortfall. It was creatively entitled “Christmas in August”. There were press releases, press kits, videos, web banners and other tools to get the word out. There were stories that pulled at your heart strings about missionaries having to leave the field, or not getting to go to the field because of the lack of funds.
The response within the IMB seemed to reflect how severe the budget crisis really was. One, it was decided that the number of personnel on the field needed to be reduced by about 700, from 5,700 to 5,000. Two, only 300 people would be sent to the field in 2010, not 300 units (a single, a couple, or a family), but 300 people total. Included in this point is the suspension of the ISC and Masters program and a severe cut in the number of Journeymen that make up the 300 count. Three, no pay raise was given to field personnel, which will mark the 5th consecutive year that personnel on the field have not received a raise. Four, medical insurance/coverage was cut. The cut does not have to do with what is covered, but what field personnel must pay out of pocket to receive care. Five, the company match given to employees 403b account was cut from 10% to 5%. And six, the Field Parity Supplement was changed from using the Expatriate Index to the Efficient Purchaser Index. For those of you that are unaware of what the FPS is let me explain. The FPS is a percentage of base pay that attempts to give all missionaries equal buying power around the world. By changing from the Expatriate Index to the Efficient Purchaser Index each unit would see a 7% to 12% reduction in take home pay.*
Why does this cause me concern? The obvious reasons aside (retirement, medical, etc.), I’m concerned about the message we, the IMB and the SBC, are sending to the members of our churches. The message seems to be: we have a budget crisis, let’s raise some money so that we don’t have to stop sending people…you know, pray, give, or go. And trust me, the IMB has a detailed strategy for how it sends people. We have really fancy graphs and charts documenting the number of unreached and/or unengaged people groups around the world. We show this really touching map of the world with colored dots (in red I think) of all the people groups that are unreached. The church sees this and responds (well, not really) by giving money so that the IMB doesn’t have to stop sending people to these red dots. The problem is, we have a broken system. We think that the way to reach the world is for SBC churches to give more money so that we professionals can go to the red dots and take care of business. Honestly though, we don’t have the money to implement some of the strategies we would like to. We’ve been told in our affinity group that for 2010 only half of our submitted strategy budget was approved. HALF. But yet, we’ll implore churches to give more to send more. How about we stop sending for a while? How about we not cut medical, retirement, and strategy? How about we re-think strategy? Where was the press release detailing the cuts that I listed above, with the nice videos and web banners? They were no where to be found because it’s much easier to get churches to give to send more, but it’s not so easy to get churches to support those of us already here. As long as I can pull at the heart strings towards the red dots I’m more likely to get a few bucks.
And before someone comments and states that I sound like I’m ungrateful, that I need to be thankful for the IMB and what they’ve given me, and that I should just take care of myself and let the IMB take care of the sending, let me just say for the record: I’m extremely grateful for the IMB. I’m blessed that they take care of my house, car, and other expenses. I’m thankful that I’m allowed to live out my call through an organization and am not having to do it all alone. I just have great concerns that we’re calling people to give money to a broken system. We can’t keep giving and sending and not take care of the problems.
*Field personnel just received word last week that changing from the Expatriate to Efficient Purchaser has been put on hold. FIeld personnel are unsure at this point when the change will be implemented.
Thanks for this post. I can see how this could be a very tricky subject to tackle, but you did it honestly and gracefully.
I am glad this discussion is happening, it needs to be had, I think that by working together we can see God’s plan and purpose in this problem/blessing. I receive support from Churches through the IMB.
I think that is a HUGE part of the problem, my support comes from individuals in Churches not a company. I totally agree 100% that we, IMB, need to make internal adjustments to try and tighten up, and to be quite honest I am concerned about where we have chosen to start that process.
BUT!
I don’t mind getting my “stuff” cut, CUT IT ALL! We must remember that Paul enjoyed times of blessing, times where he wrote about just scrapping by, and times when HE WORKED!
Questions I have been asking myself:
1. Have I taken for granted “where the money comes from”. ie. how am I personally and intimately connected with the people supporting me, and how can I do better at that.
2. Can I support myself? Get a job to supplement some the strategy budget, and even make the job part of the strategy?
I am excited to see what God is doing here, don’t be fooled when you drop 30 mil in a year God is doing something! Let’s follow him and see where it goes!
Thanks for the comments.
@brightstarblackhole – I agree in principle that I don’t mind my “stuff” getting cut. But we can’t cut the “stuff” and at the same time ask churches to give more so that we can send more. That’s just us not being responsible with what we’ve been given. And to address the two questions you’ve been asking yourself (if I may be so bold):
1. I think us taking for granted where the money comes from is built into the system. In other words, once we become part of the IMB the strategy, support, and encouragement is primarily handed over to the IMB. The individual church has little to say in most areas of the missionaries life. This has to change. We have to come to a place where some of those things are given back to the church. Then maybe we wouldn’t neglect, or take for granted, where our money comes from.
2. I recently went through my debriefing (I’m currently on STAS). I asked about working in foreign countries to supplement budget/strategy. I was told this wasn’t even considered because of all the intricacies and laws in the different countries as it relates to visas, taxes, etc. I found this response quite sad. That of all the talented and qualified leaders we have within the IMB we couldn’t make this work in some of our countries.
But I like you’re thinking.
Ray,
I think we are on the same page. I guess I am coming from the point of view that we have no voice in what is happening and our opinion matters little. Understanding that we need to bring Churches in closer relationship with us and our ministries. Basically go around the IMB bureaucracy and bring it back to the local Church ourselves (I would like to meet the guy in the office that will stand up against that, good luck).
As far as the money thing goes I have taken the steps to work out funding legalities where I live and it is working well.
It is sad but I guess we need to take bold steps on our own, prove they work, and then they will be accepted.
The amount of people having these conversations are increasing and some churches are actively getting involved in the sending process. I agree with brightstar that God is doing something and I am looking forward to what happens in the very near future. Maybe we will see some changes within the IMB in the coming days concerning how they send, support, and get strategic with the local church in the States. Both orgs. have much to offer one another.
Thanks for the encouraging words @kylegoen. I pray that you are right.