Rumblings about the decline in Southern Baptist (SBC) numbers have once again created a kerfuffle. Mark Terry wrote a piece in SBC Voices, titled “Why is the Southern Baptist Convention Declining?” James Emery White responded with “The SBC Free Fall” in Church & Culture.
The purpose of this short piece is to respond to the advice of James White.
White postulated three reasons for the decline in the SBC:
- Outdated Evangelistic Methods. …Evangelistic methods that worked in the late 20th century often don’t resonate in today’s secular or pluralistic culture. ...
- Cultural Disconnect. Many Millennials and Gen Z feel alienated by a perceived blending of Christian identity with partisan politics, and cultural rigidity on gender roles and race. ...
- Internal Conflict and Scandal. The SBC has faced many high-profile controversies, including a sexual abuse crisis and allegations of cover-ups, internal disputes over women in ministry and leadership roles, and theological infighting over tertiary issues. ...
- Outdated Evangelistic Methods: Biblical Methods are the only methods that work—this statement is always true and will never fail. Compartmentalizing methods into chronological or sociological eras is a fallacious way to ask the question. If we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture for teaching about the gospel, we must likewise believe Scripture to be sufficient in teaching about how to spread the gospel (evangelism) and how to receive the gospel (conversion). Any cultural taint only manifests an integrationist position in the author and simultaneously diminishes the authority of Scripture in speaking about evangelism. What resonates with our culture does not matter. What matters is how the Holy Spirit convicts the heart of man and produces true repentance in his heart. Culture is truly a tertiary matter. What matters is the biblically driven proclamation of the gospel no matter what culture says and does—Yes, even to the point of burning evangelists alive!
Cultural Disconnect: The gospel is automatically culturally compelling to the elect. Trying to cozy up to Gen Z is a losing proposition from the start. The gospel is self-authenticating and imminently impactful to the heart of man. The gospel of Christ was defined by the Apostle Paul as “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). Accommodating to culture has never been and will never be “the power of God unto salvation.” Any attempt to blend the gospel with culture nullifies the authority of Scripture and automatically reshapes the message of the gospel into something else. In numerous places in the Bible God says, “Do not add to My words,” and “Do not subtract from my words.”
Internal Conflict and Scandal. Proverbs 6:19 explains a seventh thing which the Lord hates, “One who sows discord among brethren.” There are persons who are obsessed with sowing discord among brethren. In the case of the SBC, it is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., thus it has a big bullseye on its back. Contentious and discordant persons, who are guided by the deeds of the flesh (see Gal 5:19-21), are constantly seeking to say “Ah-ha. Our eyes have seen it” (Psa 35:21). They cannot wait to ferret up the next issue to make a name for themselves. It would be better if they were out evangelizing and discipling others, and letting the Lord take care of His own servants (Rom 14:4).
More than anything, it is vitally important that the words of Christ be the foundation upon which every house is built. The words of Christ will never fail. Christ will prevail.
The winds and waves of culture may do what they please. We take our stand on the words of the word of God!
