Is the SBC Another Example of Church Decline?

Though it may be a stretch to say that the SBC is a church since it is a collection of autonomous churches, it might not be so far-fetched to suggest that the current decline (plateau at best) in which we find ourself as a denomination mirrors the decline that many churches within the SBC are experiencing.  The chart at right, by Robert Dale, shows the typical growth chart of churches, but Dale does something unique by pointing out that the decline stage is often characterized by nostalgia, questioning, and polarization.  Once the ministry has peaked, and the decline begins, people desire to go back to the good ol’ days when they remember their former glory (nostalgia).  This nostalgia seems to be very characteristic of the SBC today.  We long for the days gone by when we were on top of the world, the questioning has begun, and I fear that we are on the verge of polarization unless someething changes.

Of course, the great problem is that the good old days are over.  Aubrey Malphurs, in Advanced Strategic Planning, has shown effectively that if a church is to advance beyond the plateau stage, the bell curve must be interrupted by the creation of a new S-curve which must be introduced by re-defining the vision of the church.  I am anxious for the work of the GCR Taskforce and hope that they can work to bring about the necessary redefinition in our convention.  However, one thing that is desperately needed is for the people of the SBC to buy into the neccessary vision of redefinition so that long-term viability of the SBC and the CP are possible.

Dreaming of days gone buy and attacking change will not bring about the results desired by the people of the Southern Baptist Convention.  If we long to see the Great Commission fulfilled and the waters of baptism stirred, we must redefine our vision and realign our convention with that vision.  If my theory is correct and we are following the same pattern as churches, then we must make drastic changes now to right this ship, or, as church history has shown, the decline in the SBC will not only continue, but it will do so at an increasing pace.

Churches in decline have a tendency to turn inward into a protection and self-support mode and in so doing hasten the pace of decline as missions go undone.  In a time of economic recession and denominational decline, the tendecny is to turn CP dollars inward toward baptist preservation rather than to continue to find ways to send CP dollars out to accomplish the Great Commission.  We must resist the temptation toward self-preservation and continue to pursue the path set by Christ in the Great Commission.  A time of recession will require budget cuts, but we need to fight to see that those cuts affect us as Southern Baptists more than they affect the opportunity of the lost to hear the life-changing good news.  That means that we must fund missions regardless of what we may lose in other areas.

The SBC does not have to be finished, but it must change if it is to remain viable into the 21st Century.  I am thankful for the overwhelming support of Southern Baptists in June to put into motion a task force that will help to define a vision for the future and I hope that the same kind of majority will continue to bring support to this task force as they work and eventually bring their results.  I pray that God brings about a great mission movement from this trying time in our convention.