Posted on 09/04/2011 5:24:05 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The problem with SBC resolutions is that they have no meaning or sway in the congregations.
For example, the illegal immigration vote passed on a vote of 766-723 (1,489) out of 44,000 delegates present. So a 43 vote margin out of 1489 cast out of 44,000...the resolutions only reflect what the ‘leadership’ is trying to pass, not what anyone in the pews believes.
They DO, however, reflect on the spiritual blindness of what passes for leadership in the SBC. I’ve been in mostly SBC congregations for 30 years, but I feel no loyalty to the denomination itself. If all other things were equal, I’d prefer to be in an independent congregation.
The church is under attack, no surprises.
A lot of the “teachers and leaders” at some of the SBC churches I have visited seem to be into Tony Campolo big time....especially those who are somewhat recent grads of protestant seminaries...and are generally in the 25 to 40 age group. I have watched as memberships have started to decline in these same churches and that leadership has suddenly become feckless in dealing with interpersonal issues that have arisen. I see many homosexuals attempting to put themselves into positions of authority in some of these churches(though if penitent and celibate I have no issues but there is a tendency to attempt to blunt the harder truths of faith when these folk teach).
“We must become more ‘missional’ and ‘socially inclusive’ is the hue and cry but some how passion regarding the “power in the BLOOD of the LAMB” has been lost; the older members have become uneasy and the kids see thru the PC sharade and want nothing to do with it!
Where did you read that? The Baptists in the U.S. were "strong" supporters of the freedom of religion and against the "establishment" of a state religion. FACT. That came to a head in the House of Burgesses in Virginia, over the issue of the Anglican Church interfering with when they worshipped and taxing to support the state church. James Madison addressed this and after the laws were changed the Baptists were some of his strongest supporters.
This does not mean that all is well. The world is trying really hard to infiltrate the church. A couple of years ago we had to fight the "purpose driven" fad from staking a claim in our church. And, just earlier today, my son was very upset when he got his new Sunday school book and found quite a bit of politically correct nonsense in it! But we will continue to run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1)
Odd, before the last decade the local Catholic church was almost dead here. Illegal immigration basically is what has flocked to our local congregation. The Catholic church not only has budged on it's illegal's position, to just plain campaigning for open borders basically. Alabama's new immigration law was sued the other day by such Catholic policy.
spirit = 0
holy spirit = 0
holy = 0
I cannot imagine why people don't go the see/hear the show on Sunday.
Its happening everywhere regardless of denomination.
schu
A few years ago many SBC churches got into Rick Warren and his ideas (we all had our “40 Days of Purpose” programs). Many of them (such as the one I attend) perceived the devil’s hand in the sock puppet and dropped all associations with Warren. The ones that didn’t are turning squishy.
As long as the leadership lets Jesus lead rather than the Warrens of the world the SBC will prosper. Overall numbers may drop, just due to demographics, but individual churches that obey the Lord will prosper. The goal, afterall, is not to increase the number of butts in the seats - it should be to lead people to salvation and equip them to serve in the Kingdom. SBC churches remain independent so the leadership in each individual church sets the direction for that church.
As for “diversity” initiatives: we reach out to families of all races. If, however, my pastor would come out and make it a goal to increase minority attendance I would find another church. The fact is, and always will be, that people will worship where they are most comfortable, and people by and large are more comfortable with people like themselves.
Yep, it has been under attack since Christ. And will be until he comes again. He warned us that the path was not easy. But I have read the last of "the Book" and know who will ultimately win, it is not our enemies.
Lifeway’s VBS was New York City themed this year - I thought it was tastefully done and not a sign of creeping liberalism. The sight of our balding, white children’s pastor leading a rap was.....interesting.
I think that Lifeway is running out of original VBS themes and should start recycling them - the kids that did “Truth Trackers” and “Ocean Odyssey” are now old enough to have kids of their own and would enjoy a blast from the past.
How about a need for a renewal of the Holy Spirit and a need for the central message of the Gospel to be preached with sincerity from the pulpit? This would take care of the other 4 needs in spades.
Dr. Voddie Baucham addresses these very issues at the Annual Founders’ Breakfast at the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention listing 7 areas of repentance needed for a Church that is lying to the world about who she is.
The text used was:
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. ‘Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. ‘So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. ‘But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
Revelation 3:1-4
A must hear:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51709232753
Well said...
I live in the North and attend a Baptist church...although we would be considered more conservative then Southern Baptist.
Amen
Your title doesn’t match the title at the source, and it doesn’t say anywhere in the article that membership is the lowest in 60 years, it says baptism are.
Please ask the Admins to correct it.
Of course they’re losing members. “Christians” with itching ears don’t want to hear the truth. They want a open, tolerant church that celebrates diversity and doesn’t condemn people for being who they are. The big church.com out on the new freeway — you know, the one with the bowling alley, the rock and roll praise band, and the puppet service for the kids — that’s the church they want. They want the church that makes them feel good, the one with the Happy Jesus who died so that we could have improved self-esteem, whiter teeth, fresher breath, and of course $uckce$$, not the one with those wheezy old hymns where they talk about hell and stuff all the time.
I salute the SBC. The fact that you are losing members means you’re doing it right. Keep holding the line and do not compromise one inch.
PS - I am Catholic.
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