Posted on 12/08/2011 10:04:11 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Hoping to provide useful data to help settle the Southern Baptist Convention’s dilemma on whether to change the Christian denomination’s name, a research group released a study Wednesday on how Americans view the SBC along with other faith groups.
The majority of Americans have a favorable impression of Southern Baptists, according to the LifeWay Research study. However, 40 percent of respondents have an unfavorable view of the denomination and more than a third strongly assume an SBC church is not for them.
The negative viewpoint is slightly higher (44 percent) among the unchurched, according to the study.
The research was conducted in September after SBC President Bryant Wright appointed a task force to consider a possible name change for the 166-year-old convention, say officials at LifeWay.
Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, said he believes that while the study shows 53 percent of Americans having a favorable view toward Southern Baptists (including 15 percent very favorable), there is a large enough segment of the population that has an unfavorable opinion that warrants both sides to be considered.
"On one hand it does look like the SBC has higher negatives than other faith groups – and the unchurched numbers are particularly disconcerting," Stetzer said. "But on the other, most people don't seem to be concerned either way because there is a level of indifference to denominations or religion in general."
During the research, which had more than 2,000 participants, respondents were shown the names of five "denominations or faith groups" and asked to "indicate if your impression is very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, very unfavorable, or you are not familiar enough to form an opinion."
The study showed that 62 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Methodists compared to 59 percent for Catholics, 53 percent for Southern Baptists, 37 percent for Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and 28 percent for Muslims.
Stetzer told The Christian Post that he was concerned about some real issues that need to be approached with grace and wisdom.
“The words ‘southern’ and ‘baptist’ both have connotations for people. When you combine them, they add another set of connotations. They may be regional, racial, moral, and denominational, but they are real and it is wise to consider them,” he said.
The study was necessary because “facts are our friends and Southern Baptists need to know that for some people, the name is a hindrance,” Stetzer explained. “Our hope is that those considering the SBC name change possibility will find this helpful as they review it in their meeting [Wednesday].”
The research also showed that two-thirds of the people surveyed are without strong feelings in regards to all the Christian faith groups included in the survey. Only a third or less had either very favorable or very unfavorable feelings to a particular faith group.
In trying to determine the impact of a denomination‘s name, those surveyed were asked their level of agreement with the statement, "When I see (fill in denominational affiliation) in the name of a church, I assume it is not for me.”
Thirty-five percent "strongly agree" a Southern Baptist church is not for them, which was higher than for Catholics (33 percent), Baptists (29 percent), Methodists (26 percent), and community or nondenominational churches (20 percent).
When answering the same question about nondenominational churches, the study showed that respondents were more inclined to associate themselves with such a church.
“This positive reaction to community or nondenominational churches reflects other recent LifeWay Research analysis that showed growth among nondenominational churches while Southern Baptists are trending in a membership decline,” stated LifeWay officials.
Stetzer noted that the study did not explore why some respondents hold a negative view of Southern Baptists.
"For instance, one reason may be because they disagree with positions Southern Baptists take on certain issues such as sanctity of life or the exclusivity of the Gospel, and that is the only point of reference they have for Southern Baptists."
Stetzer said he guesses that many people will see the research and interpret the results in their own way, like a “Rorschach Test.”
“My hope is that people will consider how best to respond to this research rather than simply restate the view they already have,” he said.
"An unbiased observer will conclude two things: a lot of the unchurched people assume certain denominations are not for them – and Baptists at the highest rate; and, that most of the unchurched don't have strong opinions or awareness of denominations," Stetzer noted. "This would be especially true in areas of the country such as the West where the concentration of Southern Baptist churches is considerably fewer than in the South."
Former supporters of The Huckster?
I have a great view of them, in general. The Bible is preached, sin is preached, Jesus is preached, and His Salvation.
Of course many people have no desire to hear much beyond “God loves you”. While that IS absolutely true, it is only PART of the Gospel. AND of and by itself, will NOT save you from hell.
I will just cut to the chase.....
I have no problem with any group calling themselves Christian whatever, as long as they recognize that Abortion,Homosexuality, Liberal supreme court, are sins against Christ/God in Heaven.
If any of them vote democrat or moderate Republican in any way shape or form, then they should disassociate themselves completely from the term Christian, period!
Jimmy Carter left the Southern Baptists. He declared that they have become increasingly rigid in their thinking.
Well, Jimmy was trying to thread a needle, trying to combine his liberalism and his Southern Baptist faith. Liberalism won in Jimmy’s case.
You rode in on one high horse.
“The study showed that 62 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Methodists compared to 59 percent for Catholics, 53 percent for Southern Baptists, 37 percent for Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and 28 percent for Muslims.”
This certainly complicates things in my life as I try to figure out my ‘favorable view’ score. I’m a Methodist, raised Catholic, thinking about attending a Southern Baptist church where my kids have Bible Study. I love Israel and think Islam is a blood thirsty cult. So I guess that means my ‘favorable view’ score calculation is something like: 62% + (50% x 59%) + (X% x 53%) + (Y% Holy Land Bonus) -28%). I better pray for better math skills...
It's strange since Southern Baptist are all over the world, and have a large presence in Africa and Asia. It is here in the US that the term Southern Baptist is connected to slavery in peoples minds.
The concept that the title, “So. Baptists” drives away potential church attendees has been around for quite awhile. I was at a S. Baptist church in El Cajon CA back in the early 80’s when they decided to drop S. Baptist and become “Shadow Mountain Community Church.” The pastor is Dr. David Jeremiah. It was hurtful then and will probably be hurtful now.
It is difficult to reconcile what the concern is. Ifind the word ‘southern’ preceding some things quite well:
Southern girls
Southern cooking
Southern hospitality
Southern girls
Southern Rock
Southern weather
Southern girls, with the southern accent. And the summer dresses.
Southern Methodist University
Southern Comfort
Or all the above.. Attending a southern rock show in the sunny southern weather with a sweet southern girl talking to me in that soft southern accent. She’s pouring shots of Southern Comfort while her hot southern girl sister fries up some chicken (southern food) and serving it with such kind southern hospitality. Later, we will all go to Southern Methodist University to pray for the sad souls up NORTH.
I generally do not like renaming things or organizations for PR reasons. However given that perception can be an issue, It comes down to one important question:
Does the name they are using help or hinder the church in saving souls?
To keep the name even if it hinders the purpose of the church just because you don’t want to be PC would be the sin of pride.
It’s not like the Confederate Air Force flap where a bunch of PC idiots could not understand a name that was supposed to be humorous.
If the name prevents someone from hearing the message, then change the name. In this case the stakes are as high as they can get.
Good article, as a life long Southern Baptist I know that in place in the North and West where they are trying to start churches this might hinder that effort. I am proud of the Southern Baptist Heritage and know my church will not change its name, but other will. I think though they are only talking about changing the Southern Baptist Convention name at this time.
Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, said he believes that while the study shows 53 percent of Americans having a favorable view toward Southern Baptists (including 15 percent very favorable), there is a large enough segment of the population that has an unfavorable opinion that warrants both sides to be considered.
They should stop worrying about it.
My sample size of personally known SBs is small, but count me in the "favorable" column.
“The words ‘southern’ and ‘baptist’ both have connotations for people. When you combine them, they add another set of connotations. They may be regional, racial, moral, and denominational, but they are real and it is wise to consider them,” he said.
So, they're thinking of ditching both Southron and Baptist now? Maybe they could nix "church" too -- lot's of people have negative feelings about that. (That's sarcasm.)
RE: I generally do not like renaming things or organizations for PR reasons. However given that perception can be an issue,
__________________________
So, what’s the new name the Southern Baptists are considering for their denomination?
I don’t know, it’s not up to me.
I simply state that the Southern Baptists, when debating this issue, need to keep in mind their primary mission, saving souls.
If the name is not an issue for most people they are witnessing to, then don’t bother.
If the name is an issue and will keep someone from hearing the message, then it should be changed.
Do what God wants you to do, not what you want to do.
Many Southern Baptists are associated by non-Southern Baptists with spiritual pride bordering on arrogance.
And therefore, it is not very helpful information.
Personally, I have a favorable view of Southern Baptists. I've found them to be good neighbors and contributors to a well-run community.
However, I would also respond that a Southern Baptist church is "not for me," since I'm a Catholic ;-).
The “Assembly of the Saints” is filled with people who don’t qualify to be there...and shouldn’t be there.
GO OUT and preach...then invite the converted in to share in something they couldn’t understand until converted.
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