Ten months ago when I began this blog, I purposed not to engage in discussion about the denomination in which I have pastored, the Southern Baptist Convention, unless it crossed paths with a subject about which I was writing. This is one of those times.
A recent report from missiologist Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Christian Resources indicated that the Southern Baptist Convention, once characterized (because of its cultural dominance) as the Roman Catholic Church of the southern United States, has entered a downward trend of growth which, he predicts, may not turn around. If you are among those who haven’t yet, you can read the initial report here and the follow up article here.
As would have been expected, the report was hailed in some places (see Ed’s comment threads) and questioned in others. The question that does not seem to have been asked during this is simple: Has the time for heavily organized, bureaucratically inefficient denominational structures passed? My thesis is a simple one and flows from what I see happening:
The era of denominationalism is ending, therefore, time and energy spent attempting to revive them is not redeemed time.
Rather than reviving them, we should be having a planned euthanization. I will not be arguing “post-denominational” in the sense of personal preference or lack thereof, but “Post-Denominationalism” in the sense of no SBC, UMC, PCUSA, etc.
Though Stetzer’s commentary is specific to growth patterns in the SBC, all other denominations in the United States are and have been in decline with the single exception of the Assemblies of God which counts but 2.8 million members (2005). Even the respected National Association of Evangelicals has lost some of its luster since the fall of Ted Haggard, though, as we will see, it never had quite as much luster as was thought. Regardless of the denomination none have matched, via conversions, the growth rate of the population (excepting possibly the AoG), so in percentage of population terms all American denominations have been in decline for decades. At best, a few denominations have grown at the expense of others, the common scenario known as “swapping sheep.”
Is the motivation to “save the denomination” a good enough motivation to go into hyper-drive in funds promoting or doomsday scenarios? I don’t think so. When Jesus said to the people of Jerusalem, “Behold, your house [the temple] has been left to you desolate,” He was warning them that there system of belief was coming to an end. There were no more sacrifices needed, no more pouring out of animal blood, no more Day of Atonement; it was over. Their mistake was that they continued to cling to a structure that God Himself had abandoned. Shall we repeat the same mistake?
Writing with an eye to the Southern Baptist Convention, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary prof, Nathan Finn, recently asked:
So does the SBC have a future? It depends upon what you mean by â??future.â? I suspect the name will be used by some Baptists until Christ comes back. I also think the people called Southern Baptists will always have denominational entities that they financially support. So in one sense, I remain confident that Southern Baptists are here to stay. But if by â??futureâ? one means a vital existence in Godâ??s economy, I have my doubts. Collectively, I fear we are too insular, too sectarian, too pugnacious, too â??Southern,â? too reactionary, too pragmatic, and for sure too proud to have any real future.
While I appreciate Nathan’s balanced thinking, I, for one, am not convinced that any denomination is here to stay and am convinced that the era, like the telegraph, is passing into the historical record and that we have entered the Post-Denominational (PD) era.
Commenting on Ed Stetzer’s original post, SEBTS prof Alvin Reid noted,
For several semesters I have asked our students “how many of you came from an SBC church?” The vast majority. Then I ask, “How many of you want to go back and serve a church just like that?” Almost none. These are seminarians, the ones we still have, and they see a serious need for change. Again, this is anecdotal and simplistic, but here is another idea–have someone do a survey of current seminarians to find out who they listen to on podcasts? Might be revealing.
This is not merely true of the SBC as other denominations are dealing with the same issues. No one is important enough to have cornered the market here.
Also responding to Stetzer was SEBTS president, Danny Akin, who said,
I could not agree with your assessment more! I go to bed thinking about this every night and wake up the same.We are in serious trouble. Our denomination is at a crisis moment and we will either repent, seek the forgiveness and mercy of God and perhaps experience a true and genuine revival from our Lord, or we will continue our present course and simply fade away with the Lord Jesus justly removing His hand of blessing.
But what if no amount of repentance and seeking of forgiveness will bring revival and revitalization to the SBC or any other denomination? What if, like the sacrificial system, their time has run it’s course and God is preparing a new thing? I pray that it will be embraced rather than feared.
Over the next few posts, I will be exploring why I think we will continue down the road toward a Post-Denominationalism world. We’ll see that the SBC and evangelicals have not had either the numbers or the power that we’ve thought and will continue to lose both in the US; that the Kingdom of God is shifting again (as it has before) this time from dominance in the West; and that technology has rendered the need for heavily bureaucratic, densely centralized, financially profligate organizational structures obsolete and that the lessening of the influence of denominations in culture will be inversely proportional to the influence of local churches networking in culture.
Marty,
I have worked inside a denominational structure and can tell you that we were begging the creative pastors and churches to be part of what we were doing. And our success was only when we asked a pastor to sit on a committee or preach on a conference. Most of those congregations did not use our resources and certainly did not use our human resources.
My ministry calling has allowed me to specialize in ministries of prayer and evangelism. I do not for one moment believe a revival, spiritual renewal, etc. will ‘save the denomination’. In fact, the motive to do so may just hasten its demise. God will not share his glory with human structure. Revival, renewal, etc. in the biblical sense is to restore people to God. And that may be happening outside denominational structures! I picked up an old study bible last evening to use in a ministry assignment. On one of the pages is this quote by Oswald Chambers from My Utmost For His Highest: “The church ceases to be a spiritual society when it is on the look out for the development of its own organization.” Can this be applied to any denomination?
I do not believe denominations will just “go away”. I do believe their influence and viability is quickly fading. We should learn as much as we can from our brothers and sisters in the Southern hemisphere. There are excesses in many areas. We have ours as well. But there is something that God is pleased to bless and we would do well to ‘go thou and do likewise’.
Comment by Ted — May 5, 2008 @ 6:41 am
Ted-
Thanks. In your experience, were the creative pastors reluctant to participate because they didn’t see how they fit, were arrogant, were focused on their local body, were afraid their ideas would be shot down at a higher level or something else?
Comment by Marty Duren — May 5, 2008 @ 7:15 am
Marty,
Your insight is always dead on! I don’t know where I fit in. I want to work with all believers yet there seems to be a “cleansing” in the SBC. I am so far from those who are leading most of our entities now. I’m impressed with what is going on at Golden Gate and Southeastern. I left my previous ministry because of what is going on in the SBC. But I care. I was raised in an SBC church. I went to Samford (SBC at the time) and SWBTS. I have served in SBC churches and as hard as I’ve tried to get out God has kept me in. Yet, I think the church I presently serve is more of a Post-SBC church.
What if instead of worrying about what happens to the SBC–we get on our faces and worry what happens to our lost neighbors, communities, cities, nations and the world?
Comment by Kevin Bussey — May 5, 2008 @ 8:41 am
Marty,
Very thought provoking. For years in the churches I have pastored, I have often joked that “the rapture could occur tomorrow and things would go on as usual around here…” although I always added that the church would have to find a new pastor. The point of the joke is to acknowledge that in many cases in our institutions, the presence of the Lord could vanish and we wouldn’t even know it (i.e. Ichabod).
I hope that the SBC finds her way, because I believe in its mission and message. I would like to be a part of the solution, but I don’t see lots of desire for change currently. I don’t think the SBC will just fade away. There is way too much money and power involved for that to happen. Just think of the millions tied up in seminaries, conference centers, publishing, etc… Those things won’t just fade away. While I do NOT think many people are getting rich on the milk of SBC life, (there may be a few), I do think that we struggle with the other temptations of power and control. Controlling things is big business in SBC life. My fear is that we cannot get along with each other enough to experience genuine Holy Ghost revival and that if the parameters of fellowship continue to narrow, there will be fewer and fewer that feel welcome. In that sense, while the SBC may not die, it may become increasingly difficult in coming years to sustain all our “pork” from a declining number of churches and pastors. We will see increasing pleas for more support and more emphasis on stewardship (i.e. giving to the CP) than missions and evangelism. You and I both know that any institution, when it gets to the point of focusing most of its resources on “fund-raising” and maintenance of programs, is on its last breath. Nathan Finn is right, the SBC probably won’t die anytime soon (indeed, I don’t want it to!) but without change, it will become increasingly irrelevant and inward focused.
One more thing, I think that the death of denominations, IF it occurs, will throw many local church pastors and servants into a panic because they have never had to be dependent upon the resources, support, and ingenuity that are found in the local church rather than outside of it. Many have become overly reliant on the “SBC subculture” to provide all their ministerial needs. think about it…for ‘revivals’ we call on COSBE, for VBS we pay LIFEWAY, for missions trips we rely on our state convention, for literature, again LIFEWAY (btw, don’t read into this any criticism of LIfeway, I LOVE Lifeway, but it is true that they have made lots of churches co-dependent on their resources for their survival), for church-planting we call on the state convention, and so on….
I believe that while remaining supportive of the CP, (esp IMB), more SBs need to begin to refocus on their mission from the perspective of the local body, not relying on what a professor in Dallas, Louisville, New Orleans, or anywhere else has to say about it. Local pastors need to resolve for themselves what their own “parameters for fellowship” are in their context and get busy reaching people for Christ rather than worrying so much about what the National Convention is going to do or not do at its next yearly meeting. While I love and support the Founders movement, I am not going to worry so much about whether or not a resolution for church membership passes…I am simply going to attempt to reform my church in that area. I think you get my point.
Anyway…keep thinking…and I’ll keep reading. I’m out.
Terry
ps- we have taken to riding our mules again and put our “pulp trucks” back in their sheds here in possum holler
Comment by Terry Leap — May 5, 2008 @ 9:14 am
Marty,
I am headed to the airport. Let me weigh in later. But the short answer is not pride. All you mentioned and more. I can give examples. The most compelling is they sense the denomination wants their $$ but not them. Their teaching congregations are Willow, NorthPoint, Fellowship, Northwood in Keller, Saddleback. They send staff and use their resources. They sense the denominational list of what it means to be a good Baptist is longer than the biblical list of what it mean to be a good Christ follower. We have taught them to be biblical. They have learned. :)
Comment by Ted — May 5, 2008 @ 9:33 am
Kevin-
You fit in right where God has you, bro.
Terry-
I’m hoping that the rest of my thoughts will address some of the concerns you have expressed and allay similar fears in others. Thanks for weighing in; your insight from Possum Holler may show some limitations to my thinking or help solve the issues as we talk about them.
Ted-
I’m really glad to hear what you’ve said. Your summation sentences are spot on.
Comment by Marty Duren — May 5, 2008 @ 10:22 am
Marty:
Hey, totally with you on the post-denominational thing. I left the SBC over a year ago. Has nothing to do with whether SBC churches are good or not. Many of them are places of God’s grace and love. It has to do with denominations being an outmoded idea. Cooperation can be more of a network and less of an institution.
But on the sacrifices, temple, and Judaism you and I would disagree. Paul was still offering sacrifices in Acts 21. But I won’t make a big argument here. I just wish you had picked a better example.
Derek leman
derek4messiah.wordpress.com
Comment by Derek Leman — May 5, 2008 @ 10:24 am
I’m not a preacher and don’t like to be referred to as preaching, even when I do deliver a message from a pulpit. Which I’ve done a few times.
The last time was in Jamaica in about 2003, and it was about this very topic (in which I agree with you), and why I think it’s a signal of the real, hard-core, down-front, major-league, end times. And I agree with that more now, than ever.
Comment by Bob Cleveland — May 5, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
Marty
I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m so glad I’m not helping to start SBC churches on the field. Here’s the deal for me. I’m an M with the IMB. The future doesn’t look bright for our support. It will be just a matter of years when we will be told that we can’t be supported at the current levels and we’ll need to raise our own support. I trust God to take care of us, but I feel the transition will be rocky and I’m dreading that. We enjoy the work and feel supported by our regional leaders and the home office. No confidence in the BoT.
Thanks for allowing me to share my concerns. Any thoughts on the transition for people like me?
Comment by Philip — May 5, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Philip – I agree with your assessments. I’d make some strong connections (I mean STRONG) with churches interested in missions; get them committed to coming to your area for mission trips, furlough with them and visit them, cultivate connections with the people (not just the pastors). It may seem strange to outsiders that we’re talking this way when we look like we’re setting records in giving to Lottie Moon, but visit any church and analyze the giving records and you’ll find that the most loyal church-goers (and givers) will not be around in 15 years and their children are usually not following in their parent’s footsteps.
Ben Macklin,
pastor in TX
Comment by Ben Macklin — May 5, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Marty, I think that you are right. Some will say that this involves a weakening of doctrine and a lack of support for truth. I disagree. I just don’t see the point in sending money to outdated, top heavy bureaucracies that are largely unresponsive to those who support them. Can not a few churches working together do great things for the Lord? I would think so.
Yes denominations are dying, at least the dynamic part of them. They’ll probably continue in some form or another for some time, and they might even do some good. But, many of us will be working in other ways.
Comment by Alan Cross — May 5, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Marty,
I wish I’d have read your insights before i wrote these comments about denominations potentially becoming irrelevant:
http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/opinion/2008/05_05_2008/ed05052008denominations.shtml
I’ve done a lot of work in non-profit organizations from food banks in Washington DC to children’s homes in New Orleans and all points in between. And I find this to be true. Every organization is called into being by a real or deeply felt need. But, from the point of its birth, its primary purpose is the continuation of its own existence. What happens if the need is actually met? Does the organization go away? What happens if someone else creates a better way to meet the need? The problem comes with ownership, or a sense that we “own” something. That’s why the ruling class of Southern Baptists after 1979 was so upset. They felt that something they owned was taken from them. That’s why the ruling class in Southern Baptist life today is so keen on rule making and line drawing. They own it and they want to keep it. But it is in the clutching that the precious gift is lost.
The fate of the creative class in SBC life is sadly and aptly demonstrated by the response to Jonathan Merritt’s climate change statement. Bang, Bang Maxwell’s silver hammer came down upon his head. If that is how those in charge receive creative thinking, they write their own death sentence for the denomination they serve.
Comment by Norman — May 6, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Norman-
You could always do a follow up ;^) Thanks for your insights as well.
The Merritt situation was sad to me, but it was just more of the same.
Comment by Marty Duren — May 6, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Marty –
As always I appreciate your insights. You have restated clearly.
Were not these the concerns written about a mere 3 years ago on Lifeway’s Young Leaders’ Forums? Didn’t we express our thoughts then that ‘The Convention’ was going the way of the dinosaur and that loosely-knit cooperative fellowships of like-hearted churches – some even crossing denominational barriers – were going to emerge?
Dr. Ed’s points – loss of young leaders; the hurtful, abusive infighting that appears to be the exception rather than the rule; and a return of focus on the Gospel – were the topics and thoughts of young leaders just a few years ago. Has anything changed?
I believe, just as I did then, that biblically sound local congregations will form partnerships with other churches with the same heart for their communities in order to reach the lost for Christ. Theses fellowships will replace the denominational construct we have now (kinda like the WCA.) What that does for theological education, cooperative missions effort (domestic & foreign,) and resources (like Dr. Stetzer and others….) I haven’t a clue.
Post-Denomination – On one hand, it has a scary, ominous feel like its lurking, waiting. On the other hand, isn’t it the result of the reform prayed for?
Comment by Joe Smith — May 6, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
Joe-
Speaking specifically of the SBC, I believe that Drs. Draper and Chapman’s collective call for younger leaders involvement were the last chance for the future of the denomination The unwillingness of the old guard to institute reform and the disinterest of the younger leaders to inherit their fathers’ Buick has brought us to this point.
And, yes, I believe it is the answer to many prayers.
Comment by Marty Duren — May 6, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
I think the new leaders in the church are people like Lifechurch.tv. They are doing the “One Prayer” and have over 600 churches signed up. They also work with ARC (association of related churches). Creative people like me are drawn more to those who say “yes we can” than to those who say “we’ve never done that” or “no.” We will just take our creativity elsewhere.
Comment by Kevin Bussey — May 6, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
If only denominations had been on the same page as Jesus in His public ministry; Sharing the Gospel through loving relationships. I believe the solution to the culture drive religion today is God’s people reaching out through human relationships with prayer, service and evangelism. A very simple process. Denominations have complicated what Christ taught us. After recieving our ” cheap grace ” we have shut the door behind us and never looked back on how God wants us to be His instruments in changing a lost and hurting world. That world, your world is as close as your neighbors fence, as close as the doctors office, as close as the convienance store and as close as the mall you shop in.
Jesus told the woman at the well that there would come a day when she would not worship on the mountain or down in the synagogue but would worship in truth and spirit. We have arrived at this time in history. Denominationalism is on the way out and faithful Christians will find a way to honor God through Christ with their service of witness to the world we live in.
Comment by Lucas Lloyd — May 6, 2008 @ 11:49 pm
All the chatter here and elsewhere about denominational fragility got me interested enough to see what a local SBC leader might have to say about things. Here is the story from an interview with Danny Akin yesterday.
http://www.biblicalrecorder.org/content/news/2008/05_08_2008/ne08052008danny.shtml
Comment by Norman — May 8, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
Norman-
Thanks for the link. Nice job on the interview.
Danny is one of the SBC’s best and brightest, though we are probably in disagreement over the future of the SBC, it will be because of men like him that it will survive…if it does.
Comment by Marty Duren — May 8, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Norman –
I’m sure Danny Akin’s thoughts and expressions are genuine. And if so, he and those sharing his sentiments may yet provide hope for ‘The Convention’ and its future. Problem is, he just restated , nearly verbatim, what Stetzer’s research has pointed out. I didn’t see Dr. Stetzer’s article as a ‘doomsday’ prophecy as much as merely stating fact and giving us all a great big “IF, THEN” scenario… “IF we continue to lose young leaders, infight, and fail to focus on the gospel, THEN there is little hope.” ‘The Convention’ can survive, or manage, just like a declining, dying or dead church. As long as 12 people continue to show up and pay the electricity bill each month, and someone is there to preach, it will ‘survive.’
Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s enough for the bulk of biblical followers of Christ… and I’m not sure that they’ll hang around long enough to find out if the exodus, fighting, and focus are going to change and right the ship.
By the way, the article was very good. Thanks for the effort and the link.
Comment by Joe Smith — May 8, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Joe-
Well said. I’ve used that declining church illustration many times myself. The SBC, for instance, has is not gaining momentum at present, but has forward motion to carry it a good while longer, ever slowing as it goes.
Doesn’t mean there’s life, though.
Comment by Marty Duren — May 9, 2008 @ 5:32 am