By Harold Campbell
COCHRANE, AB—The US dollar’s steep decline in value over the past several years has forced the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists (CCSB) to make a number of adjustments to deal with the drop, Gerry Taillon, CCSB national ministry leader, said.
While a significant portion of the CCSB’s funding continues to come from US sources, the value of the American
dollar in relation to the loonie has plummeted 65 percent since Jan. 1, 2002, Taillon said.
Specifically, if the American dollar would have retained its 2002 value over the past five years, the CCSB would have received $1.2 million more in funding.
“None of this took God by surprise,” Taillon said. “He’s going to help us figure out what to do. We have to be fiscally wise and we can’t over commit.”
The CCSB began reacting to the dollar drop three years ago when it cut its budget by 30 percent. This year the convention trimmed its budget by another 15 percent, with possible further cuts for 2008.
In addition, while the convention has not planned any layoffs, a number of positions where personnel are retiring or leaving will not be filled. Positions that will not be filled are for DK Hale, CCSB associate executive director, who is retiring in May to begin the new Canada Arms of Love ministry, as well as an administrative assistant position and two technical positions.
On top of that, two national meetings are being cut.
Taillon said budget decreases have been administered evenly among all departments, and while the convention maintains the goal of having 1,000 churches by 2020, less money has become available for planting new churches.
The drop in the value of the dollar has also affected the number of American volunteers and mission teams coming to Canada in recent years.
“The bargains aren’t in Canada anymore,” Taillon said. “We’re seeing fewer and fewer American volunteers every year.”
However, Taillon sees room for encouragement. He said the number of Canadian volunteers serving within Canada has increased and Canadian Southern Baptists have been challenged to give more.
“For me, this is not a faith crisis,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to trust God and take more ownership in our work.”