The ongoing recession is prompting the state's largest Baptist group has approved drawing from its emergency reserve fund.
The Dallas-based Baptist General Convention of Texas says it isn't sure it will be necessary to draw funds from the reserve. Finance chief and treasurer Jill Larsen says that'll depend on whether it can continue meeting its expenses in the face of declining contributions from affiliated churches.
January receipts totaled $4.3 million, 12 percent less than the previous January. Larsen says she suspects that congregants have become more conservative in their giving in uncertain times.
But she says the financial picture had brightened somewhat recently with February receipts running close to the previous February's levels. She says that if the convention sustains that level, it likely won't need to turn to reserve funds.
The convention has about 5,500 affiliated congregations representing about 2.3 million people. Recently, it has taken cost-saving measures that include staff and expense reductions
