Understanding Mission Remittance
AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION SUPPORT (ABMS)
ABMS is the grand total of all money given by American Baptists for the ministry that God has given to us. Rooted in scripture and God’s love, American Baptists give over $40 million each year to support our shared ministries. See ABMS Mission Receipt Instructions.
The categories and definitions listed below are found on the Monthly Report of Mission Support form.
If you’d like guidance on using this form, email to Maria Reilly (mariareilly at tabcom.org) or call 978-448-1217.
UNITED MISSION
United Mission Basics (UMB). This is the largest portion of the AB Mission Support (ABMS) budget, and provides the foundation of support for all parts of our national and international mission effort based on the covenant agreements among Regional organizations and our national partners. According to our covenantal agreement, 63.5 percent of contributions to United Mission Basics are retained by our region.
United Mission AB Women Love Gift (LG). Our American Baptist Women make an over-and-above contribution with Love Gift. AB Women receive a percentage of these contributions to support their efforts and the balance is divided in the same way as gifts to United Mission Basics.
ANNUAL OFFERINGS
America for Christ (AFO). The America for Christ offering is the American Baptist response to the needs of home mission within and beyond the local congregation in witness and service for Christ as mandated by the Great Commission. Gifts are channeled through the American Baptist Home Societies and Regional ministries to fund home mission, education, and local community ministries. One-third of the AFO is retained by our region. Typically received in February/March, visit https://afc.abhms.org/
World Mission Offering (WMO). Gifts to the World Mission Offering go 100% to support the work of 2,500 short- and long-term missionaries doing work with local partners in 76 countries around the world. Typically received in September/October, visit www.worldmissionoffering.org.
Retired Ministers & Missionaries Offering (RMO). The Retired Ministers & Missionaries Offering is an opportunity for American Baptist congregations to say Òthank youÓ in a tangible way to the denomination’s retired spiritual leaders. The offering provides them with emergency and other financial assistance based on need; and “Thank You” checks, based on 15 or more years of ABC service. Typically received in November/December, visit www.abc-usa.org/rmmo/.
One Great Hour of Sharing. One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) is the American Baptist response to worldwide disaster relief and development. OGHS, in cooperation with 9 other denominations and Church World Service, is a channel for national and international aid in times of crisis. Typically received in May/June, visit www.abc-oghs.org.
Region Offering (RO). TABCOM’s Friends of Regional Ministries (FORM) offers a way for individuals to help The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts partner with local churches to transform lives and communities. Donors may direct their gifts for programs/resources to help strengthen local churches, for programs/resources at Grotonwood-Oceanwood, or as needed. Visit www.tabcom.org/friendsofregion.html.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT (ISP)
SPECIFICS (SPC)
These contributions are given to meet needs not related to the budgets of AB ministries. Contributions to Specifics include the Massachusetts Ministry Fund, new church development, college and seminary scholarships, and camps and conferences.
Contributions for validated local ministries are also included in this category. (Example: National or local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Loaves & Fishes food pantry) TABCOM has a means in place for a mission to be considered a Validated Ministry.
Gifts for a missionary’s personal use are NOT included here but should be listed as a Miscellaneous Objective.
TARGETED GIVING (TG)
The amount given to all of the above (including Total UM Support) is your church’s total AMERICAN BAPTIST MISSION SUPPORT.
The two other categories of giving shown below are accepted by ABC and our region but do not count as gifts to ABMS.
CAMPAIGNS FOR ABC WORK (CGN)
These gifts are for special campaigns that do not contribute to the operating revenue of the organization and are conducted by recognized AB institutions, AB Region organizations, and by national AB organizations.
MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTIVES (MO)
This category provides a channel for sending gifts to American Baptist missionaries for their personal use, as well as to the American Bible Society. Other non-ABC-related gifts should be sent directly to the organization. Gifts in this category are treated as “pass- thru” gifts and are not tax deductible.