Southern Baptist Convention

[Revmitchell]

Informally, the Southern Baptist Convention is a denomination made up of cooperating churches. That is how it is likely most often used in general conversation. The convention site itself describes the SBC as a fellowship. "The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a fellowship of over 47,000 Baptist churches scattered across the United States and its territories." More technically, the Southern Baptist Convention is the annual June two-day convening of the messengers of the churches. "Article III. Composition: The Convention shall consist of messengers who are members of Baptist churches in cooperation with the Convention." The SBC also uses languages that is a "missional organization."

Among the many on the BB who are members of churches that cooperate in the Southern Baptist Convention, I am not one. I have both attended and preached at Southern Baptist churches, have family members who are members of Southern Baptist churches, but I have never been a member of a church participating in the SBC. Our church is unaffiliated with any organized groups. While I judge an individual church by the church itself, it is unlikely that I would ever join a Southern Baptist cooperating church. Part of my opinion of the SBC as an organization is that it is too large, made up of too many diverse elements (beliefs), yet at the organizational level usually led by pastors (or members) of large churches (think, J. D. Greear, Russell Moore, David Platt) who do not best represent the rank and file of the body.

The average SBC church doesn't even know who Grear is

 

[Salty]

Its not optional but the required giving is minimal. I believe 250.00 a year is all that is required.

So what's up with the 75 + churches (most in NY City) in the BCNY who have nothing but goose eggs in every columns ?

 

[Salty]

... unlikely that I would ever join a Southern Baptist cooperating church. Part of my opinion of the SBC as an organization is that it is too large, made up of too many diverse elements (beliefs), yet at the organizational level usually led by pastors (or members) of large churches (think, J. D. Greear, Russell Moore, David Platt) who do not best represent the rank and file of the body.

Look at it this way - let's say you church helps support a local Pro-life organization. Are you not a cooperating church for that organization. By being part - than you church may have a say in how things are run- who will lead the organization, and ect. Keep this in mind -there will be many more diverse elements and beliefs, then you would find in a SBC church association!

 

[Reynolds]

The average SBC church doesn't even know who Grear is

Ignorance is no excuse.

 

[Reynolds]

So what's up with the 75 + churches (most in NY City) in the BCNY who have nothing but goose eggs in every columns ?

Its only mandatory if the local association requires it.

 

[Reformed1689]

From the SBC website
The Cooperative Program
The Convention does not assess “dues”; nor does it set minimum contributions to participate with the Convention. However, a church must make financial contributions to Convention work each year to participate fully in Convention life and seat messengers at the annual meeting. Truly cooperating churches typically make regular contributions (usually monthly) to Convention work from the church’s general operating budget of tithes and offerings (as opposed to designated gifts from individual members). Since 1925, these regular gifts have been known as the Cooperative Program of Southern Baptists or, more simply, Cooperative Program (CP).

here is the link: Southern Baptist Convention > Welcome to the Southern Baptist Convention

So the answer is both yes and no.

 

[Reynolds]

So the answer is both yes and no.

I dont know. I have been treasurer at two different SBC churches. The only thing I ever sent to SBC was Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon. I did send the local association a pretty healthy check once a year.

 

[rlvaughn]

Look at it this way - let's say you church helps support a local Pro-life organization. Are you not a cooperating church for that organization. By being part - than you church may have a say in how things are run- who will lead the organization, and ect. Keep this in mind -there will be many more diverse elements and beliefs, then you would find in a SBC church association!

As far as I know and can recall, our church is not a supporter of or member of any organization -- unless it be the rural electric cooperative. I think we technically are a member of it.

 

[rlvaughn]

The average SBC church doesn't even know who Grear is

I would suspect so. Further, J. D. Greear and his church do not look much like any average SBC church I know (obviously, my perspective is limited by whom I know, where I am, and where I have been).

 

[Salty]

As far as I know and can recall, our church is not a supporter of or member of any organization -- unless it be the rural electric cooperative. I think we technically are a member of it.

So your church does not support any missions?

 

[rlvaughn]

So your church does not support any missions?

Yes, we support missionaries, but not any missions organizations.

 

[JonC]

I think I'm missing something. If a church is not contributing to the cooperative program and can't send messengers, why be SBC at all?

 

[rlvaughn]

...yet at the organizational level usually led by pastors (or members) of large churches (think, J. D. Greear, Russell Moore, David Platt) who do not best represent the rank and file of the body.

I have a feeling this is most, if not all, denominations.

There is certainly a tendency in denominational organizations for bigger to be considered better.

 

[Salty]

Yes, we support missionaries, but not any missions organizations.

Why not - Mission boards can be very helpful

 

[rlvaughn]

On that, Salty, I'll just agree to disagree. This discussion might lead far afield from the OP.

 

[Reynolds]

Why not - Mission boards can be very helpful

Or a hindrance and constant political power struggle.

 

[ntchristian]

Replying to the OP.
I grew up mostly in the SBC. Local assemblies must be judged on their own merit. Many of them however do take cues from the convention and its affiliates (SS literature etc.) Based on observation and the effects of various churches teachings on my own walk I would say the foundation is sound but the structure is beginning to decay. More bluntly the SBC has strong roots but is producing less and less fruit.

Why do you think that is?

 

[Washad]

#56.
Americans live in a celebrity culture. The church is infected as well. Many like big names, big churches, published authors and begin to take on the nature of what they see as desireable which is to become large themselves.
We also live in a culture of indoctrination. Children are taught what to think not how to think. Church leadership in some cases does the same thing. If it is in the literature they teach it as untouchable truth. That literature often comes from the top down.
So even though built on the foundation of the Word and , probably, by men of noble intentions the subsequent generations have built a monument to the ingenuity of men. It doesn't require Holy Spirit power just money in the coffers and bodies in the pews. And theological compromise is necessary to get and keep both. The SBC and its current direction indicate this.

 

[Washad]

Also the overemphasis on education for church leaders has led to a catholic like dependence on those men for theological understanding. This has led many "laymen" to function as Biblical illiterates. Often the teaching received is presented as a lecture. Unlike school, however, there is no test in the forseeable future so many forget the lecture as soon as the doors open to let them out where they really want to be. Recess, playtime, their real lives.

 

[Reynolds]

The average SBC church doesn't even know who Grear is

According to his sidekick Matt Chandler, I "lost my soul" when I voted for Trump.
Rev. your head is buried in the sand. SBC leadership is awful.