1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Younger ministers flock to Louisville seeking place in SBC

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by gb93433, Jun 24, 2009.

  1. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2003
    Messages:
    15,549
    Likes Received:
    15
    The story is at http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4177&Itemid=53

    LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) -- A younger generation of ministers cannot be expected to support a denominational system that doesn't advance their church's mission, a panel said at a June 23 forum on the future of the Southern Baptist Convention.

    Church leaders in what has been described as a post-denominational generation who don't normally attend the SBC annual meeting made their way in droves to this year's June 23-24 convention in Louisville, Ky., looking for a place in a religious body viewed by many as preoccupied with doctrinal infighting and out of step with today's culture.

    Jim Wells, the convention's registration secretary, said this year's registration of 8,790 messengers exceeded last year's Indianapolis crowd by more than 1,500. Wells said an unusually large number were younger than in recent years.

    "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know if there is not a generation coming behind you there is no future," SBC President Johnny Hunt said at Tuesday luncheon sponsored by Baptist21, a ministry affirming conservative theology and Southern Baptist heritage while trying to voice a relevant witness in today's culture.

    Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research, a department of the SBC publishing arm, said he was encouraged to see so many young faces at this year's annual meeting, a marked contrast to recent years when younger messengers were notably absent in increasingly smaller and aging convention crowds.
    "I'm encouraged, because in the not-too-distant future the baton will be handed to you and it will be your time to run with it as the older leaders in the SBC," Stetzer said.

    LifeWay Research projects that if current baptism and membership trends continue, total SBC membership will decline by nearly half -- from 16.2 million to 8.7 million -- by 2050.
     
  2. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2006
    Messages:
    4,521
    Likes Received:
    43
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I think that more younger pastors were there for a couple of reasons. First, because of the GCR being voted on. Secondly, because they were in the city of the largest of the seminaries, SBTS. This was there 150th anniversary so in many ways it was like a homecoming.

    For many of the younger guys this was their first look at how the national convention works. They were frightened by the number of stupid resolutions like the adopting a Christian flag and the condemnation of one man (which was rightly ruled out of order) and the adding on of the public school amendment to the resolution concerning President Obama. But, just as every family has some crazy uncles, the SBC family has some crazies. And finally the younger guys saw that anyone can introduce a motion or a resolution.

    Of all the reasons why more younger guys were there was because they felt that the GCR was a last hope for the SBC to center their efforts on reaching people throughout the world. just my .02
     
  3. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2007
    Messages:
    2,703
    Likes Received:
    20
    I doubt if the GCR had much to do with it. It's all because of the location of the convention. Young pastors don't have the money to stay in hotels but in Louisville there are more than 1,000 SBC churches within an hour's driving distance of the convention. If they would have it in Nashville you would get the same result.
     
  4. Shortandy

    Shortandy New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Messages:
    321
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ive have been a SBC pastor for a year and a half now. I was in youth ministry 6 years prior to this. I am 29.

    This was my only my second convention; 1st as pastor. I went because the GCR was a point of interest. I wanted to hear what was said on the matter. I also went because I wanted to get an idea for myself, without the help/influence of publications and blogs, of the direction my convention is headed.

    These where my feelings.
     
  5. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2003
    Messages:
    15,549
    Likes Received:
    15
    That is honorable.
     
  6. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2006
    Messages:
    4,521
    Likes Received:
    43
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Andy,
    What were your feelings about the convention?
     
  7. Shortandy

    Shortandy New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Messages:
    321
    Likes Received:
    0
    Its an overglorifed business meeting really. GCR is a call for churches to do what churches are called to do. It seems to be a waste of time to harp so much on it. The low baptism numbers seem to bother a lot of people. It just seems like a lot of time and money get put into something that at the end of the day has zero affect on local churches. All the resolutions and motions can be made but if my church or any other wants to do something different we can.

    I respect Johnny Hunt and I look forward to seeing what another year of his leadership will bring. Ask in another year and I will have more I am sure. I have only been a pastor for a year and 7 months. I am sure more time will reveal more thoughts.
     
  8. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    The Louisville location was strategic and I'm glad they had a good turn out.

    If anything hopefully many of the young ministers got to see the insanity of what happens at these meetings. Holding it close to the campus of the largest SBC seminary probably also helped.

    I'm also glad the GCR got passed...well, hold on, it was referred to committee. I was say that if Noah had formed a committee to build the ark it would never have happened. So we'll wait and see.

    I think a lot of people ensconced in high level and high dollar positions need to be nervous. Hopefully this will refocus our bloated, Roman Catholic like structure and return us to the true vision of this convention. A cooperative confederation of autonomous Baptist churches reaching people with the Gospel across the world.

    I'm a young minister in the SBC. I didn't go the convention and will not go to annual conventions. They are huge waste of time and resources imho.
     
  9. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2006
    Messages:
    4,521
    Likes Received:
    43
    Faith:
    Baptist
    You're right. But don't sell yourself short as bering young in the pastorate. The real power in the SBC IS in the hands of the pastors and churches. If we move our churches towards being Great Commission oriented, then maybe we can make some real changes.

    I too am hopeful for Johnny Hunt's 2nd term.

    But the committee will put some flesh on a process that was hinted at in the GCR.

    I remember the last great re-structuring that would bring us into the new century... Unfortunately the century it brought us into was the 19th. :sleep:

    We will be able to know more when we go to Orlando in 2010. If it turns out bad, you can always go to Disney or Universal.
     
  10. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2008
    Messages:
    4,395
    Likes Received:
    2
    I'm at a loss. What is the GRC?
     
  11. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2006
    Messages:
    4,521
    Likes Received:
    43
    Faith:
    Baptist
    sorry for the sbc-speak heres a link for it. GCR
     
  12. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2008
    Messages:
    4,395
    Likes Received:
    2
    I hate to admit it. But, I'm SBC. Somehow I missed the boat. Never heard of it.
     
  13. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2004
    Messages:
    22,678
    Likes Received:
    64
    The Church is supposed to be out of step with todays culture or yesterdays culture or culture in general.

    That is what is killing the Church, todays culture. Instead of worship services we are having rock concerts. Even those who are hearing impaired need to go to church with cotton balls or better yet sponge ear plugs.
     
  14. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2002
    Messages:
    11,898
    Likes Received:
    4
    I read an article not long ago that stated that cotton balls do nothing to muffle sound--------that the sponge ones are lots more effective

    I am SBC and am glad of it---------I haven't attended a convention meeting in about 4 years ever since I became bi-vocational and cannot seem to find time anymore for the convention------the last one I went to was in Greensboro, NC
     
  15. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2008
    Messages:
    4,395
    Likes Received:
    2
    My church has a praise band. Old folks and young folks alike attend and one need cotton balls.

    But, I would say this to old regular. "If my music is too loud, you are too old.":laugh:
     
    #15 sag38, Jun 27, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 27, 2009
  16. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2003
    Messages:
    15,549
    Likes Received:
    15
    I think it is much more than that. I believe what we are seeing is a serious neglect of God's word in teaching, accountable application, and greed creeping in amonst leaders and those following them. Too many are afraid of being offensive than being afraid of God. On the other side was have people in the congregation who do not know what it is like to work and do ministry. Too much of what is being done in church today does not work outside of the church. Drama and CCM is gerat to watch but does little to train the person in the congregation to share theiur faith. Productions cannot be duplicated at home or with a next door neighbor.
     
  17. SeekingTruth

    SeekingTruth Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2005
    Messages:
    514
    Likes Received:
    1
    You will probably have a sarcastic remark about my response as well. The so called CCM is more suited to a rock concert, not worship. At worship services, God is to be the center, not how well the drummer bangs his drums, nor how load the brass players, nor how much the band tries to do the Elvis twist. When I hear this kind of music, I am reminded of the days of my bar hopping and expect the bar keeper to announce "Last round" at any time. The only praise I see is the band seeking praise for itself.
     
  18. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    wow, we've gotten so badly off track on the topic...

    Seriously if you think worship style is what is holding the SBC back you've got another thing coming.

    Maybe if we start with: lost focus...
     
  19. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Worship style cannot be divorced from "focus." It's one and the same.
     
  20. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    Completely disagree. If anything the issue isn't the style its the heart.

    I know far too many people of all ages who can come in a worship service of any style and pour into the corporate worship because they've allowed their private worship to prepare them.

    When we marginalize style and aesthetic over the heart of worship we have absolutely lost our focus.
     
Loading...