104
FEBRUARY 9, 1961
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly session at 3:00 p.m. on ihursday,
February 9, 1961, with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L.' Howard Jenkins, T. F. Adams, Joseph P. Edmondson, J. Levering Evans,
Horace Ford, Stuart Grizzard, Oscar Hite, Josiah Hoover, Mrs. Clyde V. Hickerson,
Elton Phillips, Ryland 0. Reamy, Emmett Y. Robertson, Herman P. Thomas, James
Todd, Mrs. John C. 'lyree, P. Earle Wood, W. Rush Loving, Baker J. Cauthen, Rogers
Smith, Cornell Goerner, Frank K. Means, E. L. Deane, E. L. Hill, E. L. Wright,
Bill B. Cody, James Stertz, Floyd North, Edna Frances Dawkins, Mary E. Fuqua.
Mr. Edmondson led in prayer.
Dr. Cauthen made the following report:
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
February is a month of very great importance because it is the time when plans are
laid for the 1962 budget of the Southern Baptist Convention. The responsibility
for recommending the Convention budget rests upon the Executive Committee of the
Southern Baptist Convention which holds its meeting annually in Nashville. At
this meeting all agencies of the Convention present a review of their financial
situation and the needs they face for the ensuing year.
The problem of the Executive Committee is very much like that of the Foreign
Mission Board, as the needs are recommended to the Board from the missions in
forty-five countries throughout the world. The problem is simply stated. Ihe
needs are far beyond the resources available. This places upon everyone a very
great burden and leads all of us to look to our Lord in prayer for His guidance.
As has been stated to the Board previously, advance in foreign missions calls for
increasing annually the budget for operating expenses as well as the resources for
capital expenditures. In looking to 1962, it is obvious that an increase for
operating expenses of $1,100,000 will be needed. This is indicated because the
sum of $700,000 will be needed in the missionary section of the budget alone, and
$ii00,000 will be needed for carrying on work on the fields.
In addition, the capital needs grow year by year, so that the income of the Board
for all purposes ought to rise from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 per year in order to
keep advance in missionary personnel and in responsibilities for work abreast.
In reviewing the needs for work, study is given to the various programs which are
projected. The programs of the Foreign Mission Board are stated very simply,
although it needs to be remembered that these are broad categories including many
facets. There are five programs which describe the work of the Foreign Mission
Board. They are: missionary support, evangelism and church development, schools,
literature, and medical work.
To demonstrate how comprehensive one of these program titles is, we can look for a
moment at evangelism and church development. This would include such matters as
not only the projection of special evangelistic efforts, but the reinforcement of
weaker churches with funds for aid in their work, development of every educational
function of the church, including Sunday School, Training Union, Woman's Missionary
Union, Brotherhood, Vacation Bible School, sacred music, and all facets of organi¬
zed church life. This heading would also include such ministries as radio and
television. More than $70,000 will be spent in 1961 for these ministries in
various parts of the world.
Another demonstration of the complexity of one of these program titles is seen in
the heading - - Schools. This includes kindergartens, primary, junior and senior
high schools, teachers, training colleges, junior and senior colleges, theological
institutes, women's training schools, and theological seminaries.
These program titles have been determined with a view to covering every facet of
mission work which might be projected. We need to remember that every ministry
which blesses the home base is of value on mission fields.
One of the chief points of strength in the projection of mission work is found in
the fact that what is done grows out of recommendations arrived at on the fields
of service. This means that national leaders and missionaries through churches,
