We have all heard the “good news/bad news” jokes. The question is always asked, “Which do you want first?” With the recent news regarding the spiritual state of the Southern Baptist Convention coming from our denomination’s Executive Committee and LifeWay Christian Resources, there is no good news unless your name is Pollyanna or your glasses are rose colored. I submit the following observations for your consideration. 

 

It has been stated that while we (Southern Baptists) are disappointed that our number of baptisms has declined, we rejoice that the total number of our churches has increased.

This is, to use an athletic analogy, equivalent to saying, “Our team is losing most of its games, but we are building new stadiums for spectators to come and watch us play.” We have been told that an increasing number of new churches should yield an increase in evangelism over the next several years.

This is only true if you have pastors with hearts for lost souls. Why start new churches if the heart of the new pastor is not renewed?

 

It has been stated that Southern Baptists are giving greater attention to discipleship.

Discipleship is only one side of the Great Commission triangle. The first side is introduction – to Jesus. The second side is induction – into the church, The third side is instruction – discipleship.

We do not need more training. We are the best-trained denomination in the world. We need more practitioners. 

 

It has been stated that total giving from our churches to support our ministries at home and abroad remains strong. 

This is true. We continue to support missions through our financial giving, but not through our physical sharing of the good news. We will even go on volunteer mission trips while refusing to go across the street to witness to our neighbor.

 

It has been reported that the number of people baptized in Southern Baptist churches fell for the third straight year in 2007 to the convention’s lowest level since 1987.

This is partly due to the fact that fewer and fewer pastors are having fewer and fewer revivals and therefore are using fewer and fewer evangelists. Recently three men who work at an SBC agency were sitting with a friend of mine and all three stated that the traditional revival is a thing of the past.

When my friend asked them where they made their professions of faith all three responded, “In a revival.” Good thing for them they were born in the past.

 

It has been reported by Thom S. Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, that baptisms have declined for three consecutive years and for seven of the last eight years, and are at their lowest level since 1987. He stated, “We are a denomination that, for the most part, has lost its evangelistic passion.”

What strong, yet accurate, words to come from one of our SBC leaders. Our passion for the lost has been replaced by our desire to help the saved find their purpose in life and our willingness to be seeker-friendly rather than lovingly confrontational with the claims of Christ.

 

It has been reported that membership in SBC churches has fallen to 16,266,920. 

Truth be told, the FBI and CIA combined couldn’t find half of these church members. We are stirred by statistics, even if they are greatly exaggerated. Talk about trends, if there is not a return to the basics of New Testament growth we will find our mega church buildings turned into malls and condominiums and our rural churches turned into bed and breakfast inns before we can say, “Rapture.”

If you wish to see what happens when evangelism (salvation and discipleship) is not given priority visit Great Britain. What happens there eventually washes up on our shores.

 

Jerry Drace is president of the Jerry Drace Evangelistic Association. He can be reached at: jdeainc@juno.com.

His websites are: www.jdea.tn.org and www.HopefortheHome.org.