The Real Issue Behind What Is Happening With The Cooperative Program

Hey Guys,

Recently, Dr. Jeff Iorg suggested that the erosion of Cooperative Program (CP) giving in the Southern Baptist Convention stems from a cultural drift toward expressive individualism—the same worldview that fuels gender confusion and self-centered tribalism. While I was optimistic whenDr. Iorg was hired, I have been very disappointed in his leadership. And, this latest issue is way over the line, in my humble opinion. I believe the comparison he has made about designated giving in regards to CP is not only unhelpful, but it misses the true heart of the problem.

I want to say, before we get too far into this, that the church I pastor does not designate CP funds.

Here is the quote made by Dr. Iorg:
“Expressive individualism is the root of cultural developments ranging from obsessive sharing on social media to convincing children they can choose their gender. It is the worldview which demands mass customization and, at the same time, fuels aggressive tribalism. Southern Baptists live in this cultural milieu and are being influenced by it. This is troubling because expressive individualism is antithetical to cooperation — the theological and philosophical foundation of our combined efforts.”

Why the Quote Misses the Mark
Equating designated CP giving with the ideology that convinces children they can choose their gender is, frankly, absurd. Pastors and churches who designate their CP giving are not motivated by radical individualism or cultural fads—they are motivated by conviction, stewardship, and concern for accountability. To suggest otherwise risks painting faithful Southern Baptists as selfish individualists, when in reality many of them are seeking to give sacrificially, but wisely.

The erosion of CP giving is not primarily driven by individualism. It is driven by a lack of financial transparency and a lack of trust in our entities. Churches want to know: Where is our money going? How is it being stewarded? Are our leaders accountable to the messengers of the Convention? These are not the questions of rebellious individualists. They are the questions of faithful stewards.

The Real Problem: Trust and Transparency
The Cooperative Program has long been a shining example of what God’s people can do when they come together for the sake of the Great Commission. But in recent years, many pastors and churches have grown uneasy. Concerns about bloated budgets, lack of financial disclosure, questionable leadership decisions, and political maneuvering within our entities have shaken confidence.

When a family no longer trusts a bank, they don’t deposit their money there. When church members don’t trust how their offerings are handled, they stop giving. Likewise, when churches don’t trust that SBC entities are stewarding funds with integrity and accountability, they begin to designate or reduce their giving. That isn’t expressive individualism—it’s common sense stewardship.

How We Fix It
If we want to restore confidence in the Cooperative Program, the solution isn’t to shame churches for designated giving or to accuse them of cultural compromise. The solution is to rebuild trust. Here’s how:

1. Radical Transparency – SBC entities must open their books, publish detailed financial reports, and make their budgets easily accessible. This should include the type of information found in an IRS Form 990. While our entities are not legally required to file Form 990s with the government, they should be expected to provide that same level of detail to the messengers of the Convention. Messengers deserve to see executive compensation, major expenses, program costs, and fundraising details. Sunlight builds trust, and transparency shows that our entities have nothing to hide from the very churches that fund them.
2. Accountability to Messengers – Our trustees must remember they represent the local churches, not the entities themselves. They must ask hard questions, insist on accountability, and keep churches informed.
3. Clear Communication – When controversies or concerns arise, entities should communicate openly and honestly. Silence and secrecy breed suspicion.
4. Mission Focus – Every dollar given through CP must be tied clearly to the mission of reaching the lost, training pastors, and planting churches. Bureaucracy must give way to gospel urgency.

Conclusion
The decline of Cooperative Program giving is not the fruit of expressive individualism—it is the fruit of broken trust. Churches are not withdrawing from cooperation; they are pleading for cooperation that is accountable, transparent, and faithful to its mission. If we want CP to thrive again, we must not scold our churches. We must listen to them, rebuild trust, and show them once more that the Cooperative Program is the best way to fund the Great Commission.
That’s not individualism—that’s stewardship. And that’s what Southern Baptists need today.

Serving Him,

Pastor Joey