Challenges Facing the SBC

The SBC faces multiple challenges. Currently, there seems to be a great debate over the theological merits of Calvinism and Arminianism. Many are choosing sides but most seem to have a poor understanding of the differences. Historically, Baptists (SBC) chose to embrace both camps under the banner of evangelicalism. In my view, proper understanding of these two opposing views requires significant and systematic study of Scripture. Given this, Christians probably need time to work through the various issues to come to a better understanding.

Another major problem for the SBC is missions. Unlike the Independent Baptists who directly support their missionaries, Southern Baptists throw money into a plate and typically have little to no personal relationship with a particular missionary. This lack of personal connection has led to a rise in short-term mission work performed by churches as well as churches lowering their giving to the IMB.

Another problem that I alluded to elsewhere is the worship of success. SBC pastors like Steven Furtick (Elevation Church), whose theology and calling have been called into question by no less than John Macarthur, have their books promulgated by Lifeway. LifeWay, in their focus on marketing books that are more popular and therefore deliver more sales, needs to consider the propriety of promulgating heresy and supporting God’s work through such promulgation.

This worship of success also has watered down the gospel at least among some churches. In their desire to see decisions for Christ, some have altered the gospel in one way or another. Some have overly emphasized a one-time decision over and against the lifelong process that will certainly accompany any real decision for Christ.

Many churches, led by their desire to attract the masses, have focused too heavily on experience and emotion. In effect, such things put man at the center of worship instead of God who alone deserves such a place. These churches, for years, have focused heavily on attracting as many as possible to often watered-down messages on Sunday morning. Little attention, if any, has been placed on quality discipleship ministries because true quality (that is biblically defined) is hard to measure. Among those churches who are beginning to reconsider the role of discipleship ministries, many are primarily concerned about closing the back door, i.e. the maintenance of their numerical results. While closing the back door by offering biblically centered, God-glorifying discipleship ministries is indeed a proper ministry of the church, churches must ensure that such work arises from a true love for God and His people and not a love of self that can become enshrined within one’s desire for numerical success.

Within SBC churches, there is also a major leadership crisis. These days, it seems that many (including some of my own friends) have experienced this issue. Churches struggle to find leaders and when they do, they often end up regretting their choice. Based on my experience, most committees seem to struggle with how to correctly identify God’s man. Among those seeking ministries, many (not all) are aware of the worldly influences within the church and they seek to appeal to those so as to get the job. One committee chairman recently complained to me how everyone he had spoken to before me first wanted to know how big the church was and the salary being offered. I explained to him why. Ministers know that churches with better demographics are more likely to grow. When they serve such churches and the church grows, they can recount such success to the next church they apply to when asked about the success of their current ministry.