Southern Baptist Facing Some Tough Questions
I came across an article that I think all denominations and other church groups (read Fellowships) would find interesting. The article, entitled Pastors Use Different Approaches to Retain, Woo Baptist, can be accessed at www.whittierdailynews.com.
The article contrasted two pastors within the Southern Baptist denomination. Both are in their 30's with growing congregations and are conservative in their theology, but they are very different in how they lead their ministry. One pastor led his congregation to sell their church and move into a high school. He wears casual clothing when he preaches and is environmentally concerned about our planet. The other pastor leads with hymns, teaches in a suit and tie, and questions the theories of global warming. The article states that this situation reflects the Southern Baptists' struggle with the direction and identity of their denomination, explaining that, "After five decades of growth, membership fell last year...growing numbers of Baptists see apparent lack of relevancy, and they blame not secular America and liberals but themselves for the problem."
The rest of the article talks about what the SBC is doing to turn the tide of dwindling membership and falling numbers of baptisms, but it is the words of their newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Rev. Johnny Hunt, that is the key to the article. In 1994, the Rev. Hunt established a pastor's school to recruit younger leadership for the Southern Baptist denomination. He is quoted as saying, "If we think the only ones leading are like us, then we're pretty narrow." He goes on to say, "We've tried to push them into our mold instead of letting them use their own creativity." Pastor Greear, one of the pastors highlighted in the article, shares how he wants the community his church is a part of to see his church as a positive and not a negative. He doesn't want people to see Southern Baptist preacher as "[an] angry guy with coifed hair and out-of-style suit who likes to pick on things." He still believes in the Southern Baptist identity and sees teaching the Scriptures, "...without compromising God's message..." as his duty as a pastor.
This is not an unusual situation for denominational churches. Many are seeking some answers for their diminishing memberships. Some think the answer is to break up denominations or churches that agree to work within a shared theological distinctive. I don't hold to that position. Too many of these churches lead independent congregations that connect with no one except those that meet their own church's need. Still, the facts are glaring: since the Gen X generation, the Church has been decreasing in numbers across denominational landscape, and Christianity is no longer seen as a viable faith among young Americans. The Southern Baptists are looking to fill the future void in leadership by targeting young potential leaders. Hopefully, other Christian denominations and churches that gather under a "fellowship" will follow in their footsteps before young Christians go to other places to find their voice.
The article contrasted two pastors within the Southern Baptist denomination. Both are in their 30's with growing congregations and are conservative in their theology, but they are very different in how they lead their ministry. One pastor led his congregation to sell their church and move into a high school. He wears casual clothing when he preaches and is environmentally concerned about our planet. The other pastor leads with hymns, teaches in a suit and tie, and questions the theories of global warming. The article states that this situation reflects the Southern Baptists' struggle with the direction and identity of their denomination, explaining that, "After five decades of growth, membership fell last year...growing numbers of Baptists see apparent lack of relevancy, and they blame not secular America and liberals but themselves for the problem."
The rest of the article talks about what the SBC is doing to turn the tide of dwindling membership and falling numbers of baptisms, but it is the words of their newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Rev. Johnny Hunt, that is the key to the article. In 1994, the Rev. Hunt established a pastor's school to recruit younger leadership for the Southern Baptist denomination. He is quoted as saying, "If we think the only ones leading are like us, then we're pretty narrow." He goes on to say, "We've tried to push them into our mold instead of letting them use their own creativity." Pastor Greear, one of the pastors highlighted in the article, shares how he wants the community his church is a part of to see his church as a positive and not a negative. He doesn't want people to see Southern Baptist preacher as "[an] angry guy with coifed hair and out-of-style suit who likes to pick on things." He still believes in the Southern Baptist identity and sees teaching the Scriptures, "...without compromising God's message..." as his duty as a pastor.
This is not an unusual situation for denominational churches. Many are seeking some answers for their diminishing memberships. Some think the answer is to break up denominations or churches that agree to work within a shared theological distinctive. I don't hold to that position. Too many of these churches lead independent congregations that connect with no one except those that meet their own church's need. Still, the facts are glaring: since the Gen X generation, the Church has been decreasing in numbers across denominational landscape, and Christianity is no longer seen as a viable faith among young Americans. The Southern Baptists are looking to fill the future void in leadership by targeting young potential leaders. Hopefully, other Christian denominations and churches that gather under a "fellowship" will follow in their footsteps before young Christians go to other places to find their voice.
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on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 4:04 AM.
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