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Christianity Today, August, 2008 |

Resolved to Discipline

Southern Baptists repent of inflated membership numbers.

Bob Smietana in Indianapolis | posted 7/09/2008 09:26AM

With its 16.2 million members, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States. But on any given Sunday, most Southern Baptists are missing in action. ...

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Leo	Posted: July 21, 2008 12:50 PM

With all our great, rich, theologically and doctrinally sound history, it amazes me (though it shouldn't) how far we have drifted from being churches who strictly adhered to the Word of God for ALL things, faith AND practice. Any church who has issues removing inactive members from their roles ought #1, consider their reasons for wanting to keep them on roll (whether or not it is Biblical), and #2, consider why that person is inactive. If he/she is inactive for any reason other than relocation or death, then he/she must have some issue with regularly assembling with the saints (Hebrews 10:25). The problem lies either with the church being in error and driving the born-again person away, or the person is not born-again. Of course, most churches in the SBC would just leave "well-enough" alone than go through the "hassle" of examining themselves in light of Scripture, or disciplining another as is our charge as the Body of Christ. (So much for actually BELIEVING what the Bible says.)

John	Posted: July 15, 2008 3:49 PM


So they are going to "reach out" to members who don't show up every Sunday by guilting them, and then purging them if they don't take the hint? No wonder the SBC is in decline.

Dennis

Posted: July 13, 2008 7:20 PM

This sounds like a lot of concern over nickels and noses. One is baptized into the body (church) by the Holy Spirit when one believes. We are sealed. I am sure the Lord's list in the book of life is accurate. People can "join" any denomination and we do not know what their motive was. When someone comes to Christ I just rejoice and know where their true membership is. If you are teaching Truth that sets men free you are doing fine.

David

Posted: July 11, 2008 4:36 PM

I'm a missionary/pastor in Caracas, Venezuela. We have dealt with the "phenomenon" of inactive members by asking ALL our members to renew their membership each year in January. New members are told this when they join. That way, nobody's feeling are hurt by being removed from the list. And the inactive members simply aren't there to renew. If they do begin to attend again and become active in the church, they can renew their membership anytime. ( ;o)> Everybody's happy! Try it, you'll like it! David Berkey WorldVenture-Venezuela

Dave	Posted: July 11, 2008 3:37 PM


1> separating sheep from goats? are you kidding me..Mr Hunt really assumes a lot! as if my membership to a SBC church equates to salvation. No, the SBC just likes to inflate it's numbers, and where I come from that is lying.

Greg	Posted: July 09, 2008 3:52 PM

When you apply to be a member of any Baptist Church, you are not formally voted on until the "letter" from your former church is recieved. Unfortunately, this practice is ignored by many. I was leading worship and teaching SS for 6 months when my former pastor called me to ask if I had joined my present church as they had never recieved the request for my letter. In the remote past when a brother doesn't attend for a week or two, a well meaning friend or church officer contacted them and asked why. Illness and some work were acceptable reasons. Lack of care for the Lords day was not and would be disciplined if not repented from. Today most Baptists do not care enought about each other to be concerned when someone consistently doesn't attend services. Grace Alone, Greg

Matt	Posted: July 09, 2008 12:48 PM

The SBC is not a typical denomination, in that each church is more-or-less autonomous. IIRC, a congregation doesn't even *have* to affirm the Baptist Faith & Message to be considered part of the SBC. This is part of their reason, BTW, for not having a denomination-wide sex offender list (this was, IIRC, an issue at the latest convention). That's just not how the SBC works. As to how do Southern Baptists keep track of members who relocate, etc.? If you move from one Baptist church to another, typically you let your former church know and they send a letter of recommendation (assuming you're a member in good standing, I guess) to your new church. However, if you leave a Baptist church and don't call the church to notify them that you're gone, you will more-than-likely stay on their roll forever.

Raymond Takashi Swenson

Posted: July 09, 2008 12:27 PM

When someone is baptized and becomes a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (AKA "the Mormons"), a membership record is created in a central database, and when the member relocates to another address, a copy of the record is forwarded to the congregation that has his or her home in its geographical boundaries. Other than rare exceptions, Latter-day Saints are expected to attend the congregation they belong to geographically. As membership grows locally, boundaries are adjusted and new congregations are organized, initially meeting in the same building. When there are three or four congregations meeting in a meetinghouse, a new meetinghouse will be constructed. Each member known to reside in a congregation's boundaries is assigned two Home Teachers who are asked to visit the home each month. How do Southern Baptists keep track of members who relocate, or simply decide to attend a different Baptist congregation in the same community?

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