Whats wrong with the SBC churches in my area?

[evangelist6589]

I have been to 6 SBC churches in my area (within 20 minutes) and 5/6 of them were depleted of many or any young people in their 20's - 30's. Many of them had large buildings but a small flock. The more contemporary rock based churches have flocks of young people, and the Fundamentalist churches also have many young people. It seems that people either want a contemporary seeker based church or they want a separatist based church. Whats your theory as t the decline of youth in the Southern Baptist Churches?


John

 

[J.D.]

I have been to 6 SBC churches in my area (within 20 minutes) and 5/6 of them were depleted of many or any young people in their 20's - 30's. Many of them had large buildings but a small flock. The more contemporary rock based churches have flocks of young people, and the Fundamentalist churches also have many young people. It seems that people either want a contemporary seeker based church or they want a separatist based church. Whats your theory as t the decline of youth in the Southern Baptist Churches?


John

Than answer is simple: rock music has a polarizing effect. When it's introduced into a congregation, it either attracts or repels. It never unites.

 

[matt wade]

I wouldn't judge a church by the number of people there or the ages of people there. The questions that should be asked are if the church is faithful and if the church is Biblically sound. Remember Jeremiah's ministry didn't produce tons of visible fruit.

 

[JesusFan]

I have been to 6 SBC churches in my area (within 20 minutes) and 5/6 of them were depleted of many or any young people in their 20's - 30's. Many of them had large buildings but a small flock. The more contemporary rock based churches have flocks of young people, and the Fundamentalist churches also have many young people. It seems that people either want a contemporary seeker based church or they want a separatist based church. Whats your theory as t the decline of youth in the Southern Baptist Churches?


John

This is NOT a SBC issue, its a problem with Christian Churches period in America...

Poll after Poll supports that a solid majority of every bible based Church loses large part of the 20 somethings, almost as after Youth group go right out "into the World" so there is an absense of that age group in most churches...

many do come back to Church in 30s , as if once started families, careers, decided to have God back in their lives...

Think ONLY real cure is to have the peaching/teaching be 'geared" to their particular needs/fears/views of that Age, and how God and His word IS practical and useful to them

Its like they are the "invisible/lost" peoples group in Church!

 

[Ruiz]

Than answer is simple: rock music has a polarizing effect. When it's introduced into a congregation, it either attracts or repels. It never unites.

THis is a shame that people make so much out of style that they would divide. Style has often become something that garners more loyalty than doctrine and divides more than doctrine.

 

[annsni]

It actually shows that the music is NOT polarizing at all but instead, there's something else. I really think that we need to get back to the basics - teach theology, teach sound doctrine, have men and women who are willing to actually get involved and pour their lives into the lives of young people, and to raise up young people who have a faith of their own - not their churches' or their parents'.

 

[Tom Bryant]

I have been to 6 SBC churches in my area (within 20 minutes) and 5/6 of them were depleted of many or any young people in their 20's - 30's. Many of them had large buildings but a small flock. The more contemporary rock based churches have flocks of young people, and the Fundamentalist churches also have many young people. It seems that people either want a contemporary seeker based church or they want a separatist based church. Whats your theory as t the decline of youth in the Southern Baptist Churches?


John

off track semi-rant
You have 6 SBC churches within 20 minutes.... plus other Bible preaching churches?

Wish some of them would combine, sell their buildings and send missionaries to start churches in New York City, Detroit, Hong Kong and Brussels, Belgium.

here endeth the semi-rant

But to answer your question, I think it is what infects many SBC churches as well as others. There is no real heart to reach people with the Gospel. I don't think it is an issue of style of music but of what the church is concerned about: are they concerned about preaching to the choir or reaching unsaved, lost people?

 

[JesusFan]

THis is a shame that people make so much out of style that they would divide. Style has often become something that garners more loyalty than doctrine and divides more than doctrine.

I was heavy into "Heavy metal" before being saved, so Petra/Stripper were a godsend to me!

Still like to listen to Elvis/Beatles, have not yet "rejected" them, but rest of my music is now Christian!

So don't judgre a "book by their cover" if a style of Chrsitian music does appeal to them, great... if you don't like it. just move on!
That falls under Christian liberty and tolerance!

 

[freeatlast]

I have been to 6 SBC churches in my area (within 20 minutes) and 5/6 of them were depleted of many or any young people in their 20's - 30's. Many of them had large buildings but a small flock. The more contemporary rock based churches have flocks of young people, and the Fundamentalist churches also have many young people. It seems that people either want a contemporary seeker based church or they want a separatist based church. Whats your theory as t the decline of youth in the Southern Baptist Churches?


John

The lack of true bible teaching and preaching. Sermonittes for christianettes skirting the difficult issues is what most are doing today, but it is not limited to SBC churches.

 

[J.D.]

I was heavy into "Heavy metal" before being saved, so Petra/Stripper were a godsend to me!

Still like to listen to Elvis/Beatles, have not yet "rejected" them, but rest of my music is now Christian!

So don't judgre a "book by their cover" if a style of Chrsitian music does appeal to them, great... if you don't like it. just move on!
That falls under Christian liberty and tolerance!

"If you don't like it, just move on" is not the biblical response. When you introduce something divisive into the Church, you divide it. Thank you for making my point.

 

[J.D.]

The lack of true bible teaching and preaching. Sermonittes for christianettes skirting the difficult issues is what most are doing today, but it is not limited to SBC churches.

You have a good point. I've visited some churches that have all the trappings of relevancy (rock music, preacher in a t-shirt and scruffy beard), but woefully lacking in relavancy in content - little sermons about golfing with an atheist friend and how hot is was that day with a brief "shout-out" to God for holding back the rain while they finished their rounds. Yes, this is from an actual sermon which I had the misfortune to sit through.

 

[JesusFan]

"If you don't like it, just move on" is not the biblical response. When you introduce something divisive into the Church, you divide it. Thank you for making my point.

They ARE indeed free in Christ to listen to whatever they want, question is does it glorify God and edify them?

if their kind of music does both, who are we to judge if it "is not our particular" brand/style of Music and worship?

God would NOT judge them for that, how/why should we?

 

[J.D.]

They ARE indeed free in Christ to listen to whatever they want, question is does it glorify God and edify them?

if their kind of music does both, who are we to judge if it "is not our particular" brand/style of Music and worship?

God would NOT judge them for that, how/why should we?

My comments pertain to the type of music introduced in a Church during corporate (gathered) worship. The issue is not individual preferences.

This hits at the core of the issue. Music in the gathering must be generally acceptable. If it is offensive to a portion of the body, it must be rejected, whether it is rock, or country, or bluegrass, or any other particular "style" of music.

 

[annsni]

My comments pertain to the type of music introduced in a Church during corporate (gathered) worship. The issue is not individual preferences.

This hits at the core of the issue. Music in the gathering must be generally acceptable. If it is offensive to a portion of the body, it must be rejected, whether it is rock, or country, or bluegrass, or any other particular "style" of music.

Do we toss out ANYTHING that may be offensive to a few? I agree that if the majority of the congregation doesn't feel this is good, it may be time to revisit the issue but if a half a dozen people don't like it but the rest of the congregation does, do you toss it out anyway?

 

[JesusFan]

My comments pertain to the type of music introduced in a Church during corporate (gathered) worship. The issue is not individual preferences.

This hits at the core of the issue. Music in the gathering must be generally acceptable. If it is offensive to a portion of the body, it must be rejected, whether it is rock, or country, or bluegrass, or any other particular "style" of music.

I was referring to mainly individual tastes in music, so see your point...

Would also say though IF the younger members wanted more of a contemporary 'feel" to the Church music, might be nest to allow them a seperate worship service IF enough of them!

My church has had basically 4 seperate worship teams, i week has Hyms and classics sung, next contemporay, final Sunday Youth 'take" over and handle the worship service, staright "jesus Rock" and ALL of us agreed to having different styles per each worship service!

 

[tinytim]

My comments pertain to the type of music introduced in a Church during corporate (gathered) worship. The issue is not individual preferences.

This hits at the core of the issue. Music in the gathering must be generally acceptable. If it is offensive to a portion of the body, it must be rejected, whether it is rock, or country, or bluegrass, or any other particular "style" of music.

I can't stand bluegrass in the church I pastor.
I can't stand McKamey style Southern Gospel in the church I pastor.

What happens when the music leader has those styles in the service?
Do I complain? Do I walk out? Do I leave?

NO, I worship God and appreciate the styles!...

If I can endure bluegrass and southern gospel whining, I think others should be able to worship God through Praise and worship, and electric guitar solos (which sound so much better than a banjo!... :tongue3

I have always taught everyone I pastor, yes even when I was a youth pastor, to learn to appreciate ALL types of music.

 

[Crucified in Christ]

I can't stand bluegrass in the church I pastor.
I can't stand McKamey style Southern Gospel in the church I pastor.

What happens when the music leader has those styles in the service?
Do I complain? Do I walk out? Do I leave?

NO, I worship God and appreciate the styles!...

If I can endure bluegrass and southern gospel whining, I think others should be able to worship God through Praise and worship, and electric guitar solos (which sound so much better than a banjo!... :tongue3

I have always taught everyone I pastor, yes even when I was a youth pastor, to learn to appreciate ALL types of music.

After reading your post, Tim, I am praying for you to come to your senses.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[J.D.]

I was referring to mainly individual tastes in music, so see your point...

Would also say though IF the younger members wanted more of a contemporary 'feel" to the Church music, might be nest to allow them a seperate worship service IF enough of them!

My church has had basically 4 seperate worship teams, i week has Hyms and classics sung, next contemporay, final Sunday Youth 'take" over and handle the worship service, staright "jesus Rock" and ALL of us agreed to having different styles per each worship service!

If you have a separate worship service, then you have separate worship and a divided church.

 

[freeatlast]

Do we toss out ANYTHING that may be offensive to a few? I agree that if the majority of the congregation doesn't feel this is good, it may be time to revisit the issue but if a half a dozen people don't like it but the rest of the congregation does, do you toss it out anyway?

Ann here is the problem. It is not about the many OR the few! We have milk toast pastors who need to be pastoring in the spirit of John the Baptist instead of a spirit of timidity. The truth is that it should not matter if ALL the people in attendance do not like the message if it is biblical based and spoken in love.
Most pastors actually do what you suggested. If they can get a majority to feel good or desire a certain type of message they will give it. That attitude that they have is not of the Lord. They need to speak clearly about the issues. When was the last time we have heard a message condemning re-marriage after divorce? That is simply one example. The reason we do not hear such things is that many pastors have bowed to the times and the people instead of to the Lord.

 

[freeatlast]

If you have a separate worship service, then you have separate worship and a divided church.

The church is already divided from its Lord. They are going one way and He is leading another. Music is only one way to show the many divisions.