This morning I was catching up on some research by LifeWay, led by Ed Stetzer. It seems that the Southern Baptist Convention, one who has claimed consistent, slow, steady growth over the years, is now officially in decline.
I am not surprised by this though I am sad that this is the case. Tabbed as the largest protestant denomination in the world and with (in my opinion) the greatest mission effort funded by the "Cooperative Program," it is painful to see that there is not real unity in taking the gospel to the world.
Ed Stetzer offers his insight on why this is. Chris Elrod offers some insight as well as 30 minutes of video interview with Stetzer (someone dropped a timely "that's what she said" in the second video).
Even though I'm not a Southern Baptist, this makes me sad. I've always admired the SBC for having a strong social outreach and not being afraid to stand up for theological convictions.
Posted by: Loren Eaton | April 25, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Yeah...Scott Hodge and I were wondering if anyone would catch the "that's what she said" statement. :-)
Scott is using it for the theme of his Mother's Day sermon...and it was kind of an in-joke between us during the entire Exponential Conference.
Thanks for the "link love".
Posted by: Chris Elrod | April 25, 2008 at 06:07 PM
it's definitely not surprising. part of me wants to see the whole thing blow up from the inside so that what is good can be kept and what is bad can fade away. my guess is that will happen, but i haven't watched the stetzer video yet to hear his opinion. and my goodness, maybe in the next few years there will come enough shake up that we finally get the name of the convention changed.
Posted by: chet | April 29, 2008 at 12:36 PM
i should clarify, i don't think some drastic shake up will come anytime soon, but i think that the more they say the numbers decline, the more they'll begin to question certain aspects of the convention.
Posted by: chet | April 29, 2008 at 12:38 PM