This isn't a numbers contest. Honestly it isn't.
sag38 had an interesting question for Jerome in another thread and it got me thinking.
We sit around here and squawk and squabble about theory, models, methods, etc a whole lot. So how many people is your church reaching?
I think we can all agree that we are called to reach people. (If you disagree with that statement say so.)
So with the year wrapping up how many people has your church baptized this year?
(I'm not saying baptism is the only barometer of reaching people, but for Baptists it is one of the most significant measures. BTW, I'm trying to do a poll if I don't do it right I apologize.)
So how many people has your church reached?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by preachinjesus, Dec 12, 2009.
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Funny thing, sag38's words also had me thinking. Personally, numbers aside, I hope and pray to be better at this both as an individual and part of a church. I have a strong feeling I wil be building on and echoing those sentiments as I get the opportunity somewhere down the line.
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I have no idea but I know there were over 20 at our beach baptism in August and this recent baptism had 12. My 9 year old will be baptized in January, so that's more. :) He wanted to be baptized this last time but he wants his dad to baptize him (as do we) but DH had a badly injured toe (needed surgery to put the bone back in it) and he was nervous about going in the water so we decided to wait until January.
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And, as you all should know, just because you baptize somebody doesn't mean you are preaching the gospel, doesn't mean you care more than others, and doesn't mean you teaching the truth of God's Word.
peace to you:praying: -
Ours were few, but welcomed. Our church has been through a turbulent time and is just getting "back to normal" with our new pastor. I look for more as we go along.
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Baptist4life Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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You get them to be baptized, then you hold them under until they get saved.
If you're sure they're saved, then you hold them under until they say, "Tithe."
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Baptist4life Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Oh, yeah! The true Baptist way! :tongue3:
Then we all go out to eat! :applause: -
Wow, the last couple posts has Evangelism, discipleship, and Fellowship!
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peace to you:praying: -
My post was not meant to be insulting. If it doesn't apply to you or your church then praise God. And, if you don't want to have a coffee cafe, etc. that's fine but to me it's really insulting to criticize it just because it doesn't fit into your particular world view. Unless one can produce a solid Biblical argument against a coffee cafe then why criticize it? It's nice to have a place where people in the community, whether Christian or not, can come and enjoy a hot cup of joe and a danish. And, if they decide to give the church a try in the process then that's even better. The Coffee Cafe meets a need and is a tool that if used effectively can open a door for the lost to hear about Jesus.
BTW: I just came on board as the pastor of my current church. We just had our first baptism in 20 months (We had a celebration). Personally, I want to have a lot more celebrations of lives changed. One issue that I am addressing is the issue of insanity. (Doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. It ain't going to happen!) We are not going to do anything anymore just because it's always been done that way. Staying true to the word of God and being careful that we are not manipulating folks into making decision we will do whatever it takes. Maybe there's a coffee cafe in the future. Who knows? -
SBCPreacher Active MemberSite Supporter
There have been quite a few saved in our church services, but it's like pulling teeth to get them to come for Believer's Baptism. I can't understand why anyone would say, "I've trusted in Jesus, I'm saved" and then at the very first thing God requires them to do, they tell Him NO! They begin their walk with Christ in disobedience, and expect Him to bless them anyway.
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Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Here are several thoughts regarding what may be happening in your situation (none or all of them may be true in your situation):
1.) Those who make professions of faith may not really be saved if they have no intention of following Christ's example in baptism.
2.) There may have been an incomplete gospel presented to these converts that stresses grace but ignores the call to be a disciple. This has been very common in Baptist life because many people wrongly believe that Jesus' call to be a disciple ("follow me" was usually the invitation Jesus gave, not "pray this prayer to get to heaven") is somehow a "work" and undermines the message of grace. In fact, many Baptist over-emphasize heaven as the goal of "salvation" that they distort the gospel by completely ignoring the Kingdom of God. This distorted gospel of "getting to heaven" does not pave the way for true growth and discipleship. Certainly an eternity in intimate communion with Christ, sharing and enjoying His glory is a promise from Christ Himself (see John 14), but most of the New Testament is focused on the Kingdom of God here and now.
3.) Baptists often so de-emphasize baptism (so as not to give potential converts the idea that baptism is a means of saving grace), that those who profess to receive the gospel see baptism as pointless, and possibly something that is antithetical to their new "faith". -
And, BTW, you are doing the exact same thing that you claim they are doing, that is.... criticizing because their view is different from yours only you are attacking them personally as well.
Now, the essence of your question about a solid biblical argument is a good one. It is an old debate about the "regulative principle". That is, that God knows how He desires to be worshipped and has given instructions concerning that worship and we should do only what God has given us specific commands or warrant or example to do.
The competing principle (nominative ?) states that we should follow the specific commands but that we can also worship God in anyway that is not forbidden in scripture.
IMHO, the regulative principle should be followed.
As far as having a cafe in the church.... I don't see that as necessarily part of worship. The question becomes, then, does the regulative principle apply to evangelism? There is a good argument to be made from the Apostle Paul ("I have become all things to all men that I may by all means save some") that a "cafe" would be permissible.
However, I do see an argument to be made that there is the appearance of a "bait and switch". That is, "let's get them in for coffee and a donut, then we'll try to get them into church...and then we'll try to get them saved". It can come across as a gimmick that undermines the seriousness of the gospel call to repentance and faith.
As with all things, the details and the implementation will determine whether it is biblical or not.
peace to you:praying: -
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Please note that I added at the end of my original post: I'm not saying baptism is the only barometer of reaching people, but for Baptists it is one of the most significant measures.
So what is a better measure? -
Sure not the "take em at their word approach"..
Then you would have to count all the 123 repeat after me, "salvations' -
If they have been invited to a coffee cafe, that happens to be located in a church, for coffee and a donut, and are then asked to attend church...well.... I don't know? Perhaps.
I guess as long as people are being upfront about their intentions, then no one should feel they are being "tricked".
I remember a church we belonged to had an Easter egg hunt (I opposed the whole idea as unbiblical, but was in the minority) in which the people participating where, afterward, brought into the building for a video. The video was the "Jesus video".
Several got up and left with their children when the video started. Not a single person made a profession of faith or joined the church.
I really believe they felt a "bait and switch" had happened to them.
peace to you:praying: -
You can't see the difference between meeting a need without being manipulative. Some churches can actually do this.
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The SBC claims nearly 16 million members...more than 65% of which are not in church every Sunday morning. 85% are not in church on Sunday nights or Wednesday nights....week after week, and yet we count those "baptisms" as evidence of effective evangelism.
peace to you:praying:
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