Ed Stetzer, missiologiest, research “scientist” for the SBC’s NAMB, has revealed the new stats on the EKG of the SBC and it is BAD. Look at the following picture. Simply we are about to flat-line. Read on for the translation. When you flat-line it means there is no life in you – you are dead. Check out the pic.
Click Here for the larger version of the picture.
Translation – Ed works for Southern Baptists to do research and help mission pastors start great churches, but the overall health of all the combined churches in the Southern Baptist Convention is showing that we are in the Intensive Care Unit waiting to die. Maybe you didn’t want the translation. Ed has posted a fascinatingly accurate article on his blog about the current state of the SBC [Click Here for the Article].
You need to read the comments as well. They are long but worth it. This will help you understand Southern Baptists in the Bible Belt and the “Ole Baptist” stigma that drives away believer to other denominations.
In defense of the local church. There are some local churches that are growing and sharing the gospel. I am overwhelmingly pleased, over joyed, and just plain happy to be part of a church that does. Pastor Steve Folmar at FBC Houma is focused upon getting God’s people here to share the gospel, invite their friends to follow Christ, come to church, and grow in Christ. Our goal is to make a difference in South Louisiana with the Gospel of Christ. This church by the grace of God is the anti-statistic of this survey. Growth has been increasing every year for the past 8 years and baptisms last year near 80. This translates from 350-1000 over the past 8 years and now 3 Sunday Morning services. Church is not done as usual (usual for those in the Bible Belt) which means no heavy invitations, no high-energy revival meetings, and no weekly outreach program. Some hick preacher is probably saying by now, well you are just a mega-church where the gospel is not being preached. You better listen to the sermons online before you make that stupid statement. People are hearing the truth about Jesus, believing it, turning from their sin, and following Christ. They then tell their friends and families about how Jesus really can save.
Now, i don’t get paid to say all this. I am just overwhelmingly excited and over-joyed that God didn’t send me to another dead Bible-belt church. Some of you know about this type of dead church others of you don’t have a clue and you need to thank God for that. Dead Ole Baptist Bible Belt churches are focused on fighting, arguing, knowing everyone else’s business, being loveless toward each other, not living in faith (its a virtue to them they are “realists”), not praying, fighting over “control” of the church, and caring for only those who look like themselves and fit in their social realm (read racist bigots). I could go on, but this accurately describes most churches I and other pastor friends of mine have been apart of.
Am I bitter? Heaven’s no! I am better for being part of those churches. God still works in spite of those who act that way. And there is a remnant within each church. Sometimes it is very difficult to find. But it is no wonder many young pastors are trying to leave the convention if the so called “churches” are acting like that. Many of these little small minded churches need to close their doors, combine with others, and get a vision of reaching a larger area with a single larger church. They need to get over themselves and to focus on reaching the lost – not with their programs, or their worship, or their Bible study classes, their children’s ministry, their youth ministry, or their social help programs – but with the message of a bloody cross and an empty tomb, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16 says “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! For it is the power of God unto salvation.” There is Holy Spirit anointed inherent power in the message of the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.
Oh God! Send revival and awakening to the SBC. Without You O’Lord it is doomed to the way of the Pharisees. Knock some Sauls off of the high-horse and send your Spirit in Power. And help us to reach our neighbors. Amen.
