February 2026 | 3
Completing The Annual Church Profile Contributes to Gospel Impact The Annual Church Profile (ACP) is more than just a bu - reaucratic requirement; it is a vital act of stewardship that underpins our collective mission here at the State Con- vention of Baptists in Ohio and in our broader Southern Baptist family.
Just as it’s important to go to the doctor annually for a well check to monitor your numbers, it’s just as import - ant for the local church to do a well check and monitor its numbers. Completing the ACP ensures your church’s data contributes to a unified and accurate picture of gospel impact, allowing us to move forward with an in- formed and strategic purpose. Here’s why it’s so vital for your church, no matter the size, to both know and report your missional impact on an annual basis: Fueling the Mission through Informed Strategy The data collected in the ACP—including baptisms, at- tendance, giving, and membership—provides critical insights that fuel our shared ministries. For our state convention and local associations, this aggregated in- formation is the foundational resource used for: • Strategic Planning: The numbers reveal trends in growth, plateau, and decline, guiding the allocation of resources to areas and churches with the greatest need. • Targeted Support and Training: By knowing the health and specific needs of the churches, the con - vention can develop and offer training and resourc - es that directly address gaps in ministry and growth. This ensures support is relevant and effective. • Kingdom Impact Measurement: The ACP allows us to celebrate what God is doing across our state by quantifying the spiritual movement—from the to- tal number of people saved and discipled to the fi - nancial commitment to missions. Ensuring Connection and Representation The ACP is the primary mechanism for maintaining a strong and cooperative connection to the larger conven- tion. Completing it is essential for: • Convention Eligibility: The current statistics on membership and giving determine your church’s eligibility and number of messengers to the Annual Meeting of the State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. This ensures your voice is heard in the decisions and direction of the collective mis- sion. • Accurate Reporting: The profile updates your church’s official membership and contact informa - tion, ensuring you receive critical communications
and your church is accurately represented in national statistics and reports. • Self-Examination and Vision Casting: On a local level, filling out the ACP is a healthy exercise for your church leadership. It prompts a year-end review of key ministries, allowing your church to assess its own progress and cast a renewed vision for the com- ing year. From the smallest rural church to the largest urban con- gregation, participation in the Annual Church Profile demonstrates your commitment to transparency, coop- eration, and the greater work of the gospel. It ensures that every church is counted, supported, and represent- ed as we work together to fulfill the Great Commission. Please visit www.scbo.org/acp to learn more and com- plete your ACP by February 28. Moving Forward,
Dr. Jeremy Westbrook Executive Director-Treasurer, SCBO
Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5