Partnering together to multiply disciples, churches, and mission through strategic stewardship and increasing innovation.
GiveContact UsGCBSC is a group of churches and church networks partnering together to multiply disciples, churches, and mission. We are always eager to affiliate with like minded churches to reach more for Christ.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN GCBSC?
Strategic Stewardship & Increasing Innovation
The Great Commission Baptist State Convention exists to help local churches and church networks to multiply disciples, churches, and mission. From the beginning of the Christian movement, many church leaders have found the biblical and practical blessings of connecting with other churches for encouragement, support, and common ministry.
One of the primary ways we partner together is through financial giving to the SBC Cooperative Program. 75% of all general Cooperative Program receipts given to the Great Commission Baptist State Convention are forwarded to the SBC national mission entities: International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, the six Southern Baptist Seminaries, and the Ethics and Religions Liberty Commission.
If your church or network is considering a partnership with the Great Commission Baptist State Convention, consider these other benefits of partnership.
75% of all contributions to GCBSC go to support SBC national entities
STRATEGIC STEWARDSHIP
The Great Commission Baptist State Convention values Strategic Stewardship because focused investment propels mission. That’s why we pass along 75% of every dollar to fuel Great Commission ministry at the national level of the SBC. Messengers at the 2021 BCI Annual Meeting voted to give at this level beginning January 1, 2022.
INCREASING INNOVATION
The Great Commission Baptist State Convention values Increasing Innovation because adaptation unleashes advancement. GCBSC desires to accelerate what is working among our churches. Download the GCBSC Benefits PDF to see a list of some of the resources and processes your church can take advantage of.
SUPPORT SBC ENTITIES
For 175 years, Southern Baptists have sought to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people everywhere. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has grown to be a network of more than fifty thousand cooperating churches and church-type missions banded together to make an impact for God’s Kingdom.
CHURCH PLANTING PARTNERSHIP
GCBSC affiliated churches participate in significant church planting efforts across the state and around the country. To see the church planting partnership benefits that are available to churches affiliated with the Great Commission Baptist State Convention and partner with the North American Mission Board go here.
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
The International Mission Board has missions personnel working in nearly every country of the world and is the largest protestant sending agency. Missionaries serving two years or more are fully funded. SBC connection allows churches to have access to IMB logistical support for short-term missions projects.
SUPPORT FOR SEMINARY EDUCATION
Students receive a 50% tuition discount at any of the six SBC seminaries. Full time seminary students affiliated with Iowa churches can apply to receive a $500/semester tuition grant for four semesters.
INSURANCE PLANS
Several staff members may be eligible to receive life insurance and disability insurance as well as access to preferred health (group size minimum is two staff members) and retirement benefits through Guidestone.
HOW DO YOU JOIN GCBSC?
STEPS TO AFFILIATION
The Great Commission Baptist State Convention is always eager to partner with gospel-centered, like minded churches. The process to affiliate with the Great Commission Baptist State Convention is straightforward though it may take some time to finalize. We’ve outlined the basic steps below. Contact us today to get the process started.
1. CONTACT GCBSC TO DISCUSS AFFILIATION
The first step to affiliating with the Great Commission Baptist State Convention is determining compatibility of doctrines and ministry practice. Contact GCBSC Executive Director on any affiliation process or membership questions.
2. CONFIRM UNAFFILIATED STATUS
If your church is affiliated with another denomination or state Baptist convention, please inform their office that your church wishes to no longer affiliate with them.
3. OFFICIAL DECISION BY YOUR CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Your church leadership team must officially decide or vote to A) affirm the Baptist Faith and Message, B) agree to affiliate with the GCBSC and support its mission, C) agree to financially support the Cooperative Program by giving through the Great Commission Baptist State Convention, and D) agree that the church will file an Annual Church Profile each year.
4. CONTACT GCBSC ABOUT DECISION
After your church leadership team makes an official decision to affiliate with the Great Commission Baptist State Convention as described above, inform the GCBSC office of this decision.
5. SBC IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
All churches affiliating with the GCBSC are assumed to also affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention. For churches without an SBCID#, GCBSC staff will help create a new one; for churches that already have an SBCID#, your current number will still work, but our staff will inform the national office of any change in state convention affiliation.
6. AFFILIATION PROCESS COMPLETED
Our staff will inform your church when the affiliation process is complete.
Multiply the impact of your giving through GCBSC
Partner with us to invest in the amazing ministry happening through our convention and further the Great Commission. Visit the Give page to learn more about GCBSC strategic stewardship and to give online.