On May 8, 2008, Jill said:

I can only tell you why my family and I now belong to an Episcopalian Church. Because at the Southern Baptist Church that we attended in the late 1990's, we felt stigmatized - honestly we did - for being registered Democrats. The Southern Baptist Church we attended at the time was blatantly led by a Republican Pastor and the defiling of our then Democrat President of the United States was a weekly occurence. At the Episcopal church we attend, all are welcome, nobody is looked down upon and people that I felt like Southern Baptists especially frowned on - gays and lesbians are welcomed with loving arms as Children of the same God that the Southern Baptists want to keep to themselves. Oh and by the way, I was baptized into the Southern Baptist Church and attended an SBC Church for close to 45 years. At that point in time - I could not stand the intolerance anymore. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

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On May 8, 2008, Jacob Snodgrass said:

Jill, sorry for your perceptions but that has really nothing to do with actually being Southern Baptist. While it is the pastors job to preach against sin... homosexuality and all kinds of adultery, gluttony and the like, they certainly should not be creating a climate of elitism. On an encouraging note maybe pastors are doing a better job of keeping track of how many they actually baptize instead of guessing at the end of the year... think that doesn't happen? And our church has a member role of 459 and an average attendance of only 65 so maybe churches are reducing the role to accurately reflect membership. This has certainly been a push of mine and other pastors. What we need to be concerned about most is not our numbers but if we are accurately following what God has commanded us to do in the preaching of his Word. Are we laboring to see the Gospel accurately and faithfully contextualized for the next generation? Salvation is from the Lord, He is able and we should trust Him and His purpose and will. I mean the last time I checked Isaiah didn't have great numbers either.

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On May 8, 2008, Jacob Snodgrass said:

I should add that our community has a population of 199. So we didn't just massively shrink rather people have moved away and joined other churches without moving their letters.. So people are being counted twice

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On May 8, 2008, Captain (Navy) Jerry B. Adkison (Retired) said:

I say it's time to change the key emphasis of our core message...that is, less "sin, sin, sin" preaching and more "Victory in Jesus" preaching. Christianity and its powerful influence in the world was not launched by the Cross, but rather by the empty Tomb (i.e. the risen Lord Jesus). It's time to stop "lingering at the cross" (i.e. wallowing in sin guilt) and to claim His Victory over evil and death itself for eternity. Indeed, victory is not "at hand"; it's IN HAND...and it's time that we CLAIM IT and invite those who who've not yet accepted His Gift to join in the Victory! Am I saying to "downplay" sin? Not at all; confession of sin, repentence, is fundamental to accepting Jesus as one's Savior...but, let's face it, too much emphasis on sin in the context of "guilt tripping" is less likely to get lost people to the alter than is the offering of the ultimate eternal Victory in Jesus (and Jesus only). The Greatest Event in the history of the world (to date) is not the Cross, but rather the Empty Tomb (and the subseqent appearances of the living Christ Jesus prior to his ascension - which I call "The First Second Coming of Jesus Christ"). The end of the age is near and those who persevere until the very end (i.e. stay the victorous course) will be saved. I'm an unlicensed lay preacher, and that's my message...and I'm sticking to it. FULL STEAM AHEAD...to His Glorious Victory! CAPT A. (P.S. - Go NAVY, Beat Army!)

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On May 9, 2008, don diehl said:

Well said. Needed said. Say on.

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On May 10, 2008, Bill Sisk said:

Missionaries have lived and died on the mission field without seeing one convert or baptism amongst their people group. Does that make them any less Baptist? Many Old Testament prophets preached all their lives without seeing any significant repentance and response from the people to whom they preached. Does that make them unworthy of the title of "prophet." The name "Baptist" was not acquired because of the number of baptisms we perform. It is perhaps an unfortunate label that we have acquired because of a single Baptist doctrine: the doctrine of baptism by emersion only. The larger significance of that doctrine comes from a much more important characteristic of the Baptist faith: our allegiance to a literal interpretation of scripture and refusal to compromise that faith or adopt any practice other than that which is explicitly taught in the Bible. Hence, we do not sprinkle or pour, or baptize babies. But I believe that the single reason that God has honored Baptists is because Baptists have honored Jesus above all and have been generally faithful to keep the most important thing first: the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. I have been compelled to be a verbal witness for Jesus Christ all my Christian life, but if I am to be judged or rewarded according to the number of people I have personally led to the Lord, I may in deep trouble. I don’t seem to be very successful according to the way that men tend to judge success or when I compare my numbers to the numbers of others. If I were results driven, I would have given up long ago, and from time to time I have been discouraged and lax in this regard. But I can not give up totally, because I am not driven by my apparent success or failure in doing the Lord’s work. I, like every born-again believer, am constrained to keep on going because of the Spirit within me. I trust that my reward will not be based on numbers but on faithfulness. Faithfulness means that we never give up in spite of the numbers. No doubt we could all be more faithful to do the work of evangelism, but we must remember: This is still God’s work, and He will perform it to His satisfaction and in spite of our individual or collective successes or failures. Outcomes are not our responsibility. We are privileged to be a part of what God is doing, and must remain faithful in doing the work of evangelism in good times and bad, being thankful in both. Let God keep the records and be the judge of who’s doing a good or bad job. Counting can become dangerous and deceptive practice [II Samuel 24].

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On May 11, 2008, S.Noble said:

I am replying to this article because I believe that while I am a Southern Baptist to the core, I believe that we are not fulfilling the Great Commission in our communities and it appears to me that we don’t care. I feel that Christians have become apathetic to sharing the gospel. We also don’t seem to care that our altars are dry. There is little passion in our pulpits on an average basis. There is also little passion in our lives for those around us that are unsaved. As Southern Baptists, our churches have become more of a social center than a hospital for the hurting and lost. We run our churches like businesses and we don’t have our mission statement to evangelize the world written on our hearts. I do believe that Jesus is calling us to repent from our apathy and turn from our wicked ways so that He can hear from Heaven and heal our land. I believe it is time for a wake-up call and removing Baptist from our name may just do the trick. I agree that we should not pay attention to the “numbers” just for statistics, but each number represents a life changed and that is something to celebrate. The Bible even tells us about 3,000 being saved on the day of Pentecost. The Bible also speaks quite frequently about multiplying our efforts. Anyone who hasn’t studied concept of multiplication the scriptures would be surprised to find that Jesus is very concerned with not just “adding” converts, but “multiplying” them. While the idea of dropping “Baptist” from our name sounds harsh and drastic, it may be a valid idea. What does the scripture say about “plunking out your eye if it offends you” or “cutting off your right arm if it offends you”? I think dropping the name Baptist would be bold, but perhaps it would send a wake-up call. Without Baptisms, we have no church growth and the gospel is stagnated by dying passion. Perhaps just the discussion of changing our name will excite our churches to get back to the business of sharing our faith and winning our lost world to Christ.

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On May 12, 2008, Terry said:

The measure of our success is the GOSPEL. That is what is lacking. If we return to clear presentations of the gospel, the baptism and membership issues will take care of themselves. For too long we as a denomination have been enamored with the latestet "gospel fads" - thinking they are the gospel Oh, to be sure we have plenty of psuedo-gospels (the Galatians would be proud of us). We have the mega-church types telling us to "Find Purpose", to "Minister to Felt Needs". We are told that we need to find our "Niche Market", be theraputic, hold block parties, have better technology, follow the latest worship style - be more entertainment based bring in the latest "star" and on and on it goes. But it is almost always techinque and event driven, not content. Where's the beef? When was the last time we had a series on the New Birth? Or one on Justification? or the Atonement? or Repentence? It is time for us as Southern Baptists to return to our heritage of preaching the gospel. To be uncompromising on that issue first and foremost, Paul said it was "most important" (1Cor 15:3). The glitz, the glamor, the finding purpose, using marketing techniques, being relevant - none of that will we find in scripture - just the plain preaching of the gospel. By the way - what is more relevant that proclaiming to lost, hell bound, wrath facing sinners that they can be justified, their sins atoned for, God's wrath propitiated? We are where we are today because we have failed to hear the warning of Hebrew 2:1, we have drifted away, we have adopted the models offered by the world, oh, we wrapped them in "Christian celophane", thinking we could Christianize their ideas, but leaven is leaven. What we attract them with is what will keep them - once the "new" wears off the latest fad they fad away. Do we define sin biblically anymore? I believe most of our churches do not - we have dumbed it down, it is not falling short of God's Glory but rather a mistake, "blowing it", "messing up". Do we tell "seekers" that they are spiritually dead? That apart from God's Grace they can't believe? (see Rom. 3:9-18). Bottom line - get back to the gospel, toss the programs that do not have the Gospel at the center, purpose statements that sound more like something from Wall Street, the glitzy glamor models of "ministry" et. al and preach the gospel - God will add daily to his church if we do that - His "word will accomplish what (He) pleases", it "will not return to (him) empty" (Isa 55:11). Thank you for your time.

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On May 13, 2008, James England said:

I am not a Baptist. I am a Christian, and I think at times we divide too much on denomination. However, don't drop the name! It seems the trend now is to drop your churchy name, and it seems like pure cowardice to me. My question is, however, if your denom is losing members ,but still baptizing 300,000+ each year, then you are losing more than the 300,000+ out the back door, faster than you can baptize new believers! That's even worse! The SBC has the reputation in society of being THE ONE using that 'horrible word,' submission, and other controversial stands for Christ, and for that I thank you all. Somebody has to stand up and get noticed for taking a stand. The SBC is actually probably making the best inroads in our post-Christian society next to the Assemblies of God, another denom standing firm on the truth [I know there are points of disagreement, but you can stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the essentials!]. My point is, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater-acknowledge the great work done by the SBC-but know that we need revival -2Chronicles 7:14. James England, Warr Acres

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On May 14, 2008, James England said:

Remember, we are called not to make converts, but disciples. Birthing 300,000 spiritual 'babies' and leaving them out to spiritually starve is not right-we need to focus on discipling believers. If each of us only converted and discipled two believers in our lifetime, who repeated that, the world would all know Christ in short order!

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On May 20, 2008, H said:

I was baptized and grew up in the SBC. However, I left the church because it seemed to be more focused on Old Testament rules (read Pharisees) with an emphasis on "don't do this and don't do that," rather than the spirit of love and caring for all that Jesus espoused- particularly with the sinners and outcasts. I consider myself on the conservative side of the spectrum and I do not want to belittle or demean the SBC. You certainly have the right to practice your brand of religion. However, times have changed and I am not surprised at the declining SBC numbers as people are moving towards the so called "big box" churches that seem to be less judgemental and "rule driven,' or they are choosing spirituality with no church at all (read the Unitarians). I understand the SBC mentality that states that without standards and rules then society becomes more corrupt and chaotic. However, as our society changes to one that is more tolerant to differing views and lifestyles, then SBC membership is going to continue to drop. Case and point- I picked up my son and his friends from the movies the other day and one of the boys (whose father is an FBC deacon) explained that Catholics are not Christians and are all going to Hell. I was floored that this young teenager (whose father is an well educated person) would believe (or was taught) such a thing. In this day and age, preaching exclusion at the expense of others serves to ostracize you from the greater community. Hence the declining numbers (particularly those families in their late 20's early 30's) of SBC membership. Good luck to your Church and I hope that the SBC can figure out a way to stay relevant in these times where even in the so-called "bible-belt" of America the attitudes of society are changing dramatically.

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On May 26, 2008, Willie said:

The question was asked, "Where are the Boomers when you need them?" The answer is simple. Very few SBC churches reached the Boomer generation. Boomers were so different than "we" were, we didn't really want to reach the Boomers -- at least not the ones that weren't exactly like us. We could ignore them and, by ignoring them, we avoided the conflicts over worship style and budget spending and church polity. So, where are the Boomers? They are largely unreached. They're playing golf on Sunday. We didn't want them. Why ask for their help now? Now, a couple of generations later, even fewer SBC churches are reaching the children and grandchildren of Boomers. The Builder generation is dying and, with it, attendance figures are dropping. (And let's not get into the ridiculousness of SBC churches' MEMBERSHIP numbers. They are absurd -- almost always 2x to 5x the best attendance of the year. How many dead people are on your church's rolls?) So why ask where the Boomers are? Where are the Gen-Xers when we need them? Where are the Gen-Yers? How about the Generation Next-ers? They aren't here. And it's not their fault.

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On May 30, 2008, Kevin said:

I don't think it is the fact that we are losing ground just in baptism and evangelism. I believe we have lost a zealous approach to discipleship. When we don't know anything about who we are serving then how are we to tell others about Jesus. And without Jesus there is no need for baptism. I am a youth minister and try and come up with new curriculum for Sunday School and Sunday nights because I think a lot of material is to shallow, especially by lifeway and many of my partners in youth ministry agree. Discipleship needs to come back and I believe that will help us in our move to evangelism.

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On May 30, 2008, annonymous said:

Southern Baptists, it seems to me, have always been very big on getting people saved and then Baptized. Big on programs. Big on meetings Big on activities. Big on buildings and Big on impressive shows of compassion to masses of people. I dont know why the following situation happened to me. I dont understand and am still trying to sort through it. Due to many, many negative factors in my life, most of which I never discuss with anyone and am really not at liberty to do so, I went into a state of depression and had frequent thoughts of suicide. There was finally an event that sort of "broke the camels back" and I took a handful of pills-the rest of what was left in a bottle. I felt like no one truly cared or was interested in me-personally- at all. I was not a "successful" person, not accomplised, and no longer even bringing an income into the household to help pay the bills. In my mind, even my own husband, (a southern Baptist Christian) whom I thought at one time had a true romantic love for me, really was mostly interested in having a mate that made life much easier for him. I was not a fabulous, perfect member of my Oklahoma City Southern Baptist Church. You didnt see me constantly involved and voluteering to do stuff. Though middle aged and struggling with my husband just to pay the rent, I tried to go to OSU-OKC to better myself to help make things easier for us. I did, however, do things now and then, like work in VBS. I gave money to the church, even at times when we were living in a small, hot extremely roach infested apartment. I reached out and did many, many things for an alcoholic single man that lived next door to us, concerned about his salvation and his living conditions. My Pastor of our church was totally aware of most of the things I have just related to you. Can I tell you that he and his son who is also a member of the staff at the church and was aware that I had tried to commit suicide, knew the hospital I was in, knew my home address, knew my phone number, knew my email address. -Oh yes, another factor I forgot: I had been loyal to our Pastor about some issues when others were speaking against him. I was not in any way, a trouble maker. I was kind to people. The hospitalization happened at the end of March. My Pastor did not try to contact me in any way and still has not. A couple from our Sunday School Class did bring over some money for us-a collection from the group. We were grateful for that. We have not been back to the church since. I feel, sort of, like I'm still in shock. Can you blame me? This letter can not be construed as a personal attack on anyone. I have mentioned no names. I will forgive everyone involved because I have no choice. God, of course, clearly commands us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. God has shown me through all this, too, that sometimes people, even Christians, really dont have more noble motives than to get whatever they can get out of you. lol. I know that probably sounds extremely cynical and maybe to some, it might sound unloving. People, dont be the naive goose that I've been all my life. Just because someone claims to be a Christian and is even active in church-just because they appear to be very admirable and even warm-just because they are a Pastor and preach righteous sounding sermons at you every week: This does not mean, necessarily, that they care about YOU personally! Honestly, you might find nonchristians in the workplace that show more personal interest in you. Humans are selfish people and Christians are not exempt from being extremely cold and selfish at times. Yes, Christians can also be full of the holy spirit, complete in the fruits-love, joy and peace. I will never try to commit suicide, again, barring some terrorist gets ahold of me and mercilessly torchers me-I cant promise I wouldnt try it again, in that case. :) Does anyone happen to know of a church, where THEY FEEL SURE, that if a member tried to commit suicide, the Pastor would go them? Thanks.

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On May 30, 2008, annonymous said:

Again, I'm not really interested in how many Baptisms the church I'm a member of has had during any given year. If the leadership and the people are right with God, people are going to need Baptizing. What I want to know is, does the Pastor really care about the flock that is ALREADY under his care? If a member of his flock tried to commit suicide, would he go see them? If you absolutely believe that about your Pastor, please let me know tell me what church you belong to. Thanks.

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