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Concerto -> SBC (6/10/2008 8:24:40 PM)

I just read about this years Southern Baptist Convention meeting. One title of an article I read was, "So. Baptists Called to Look at Reality." Interesting title.

The outgoing president stated, "Blame the denomination if you wish, but the problem is ‘me.’ ‘I haven’t been winning people to Christ as much as I [ought to].’” Also, "We have compared ourselves to the wrong standards, ignoring God’s call for repentance and we have been failing to be relevant to a culture that sees us as representatives of death, not as representatives of light."

The whole issue of "relevance" is the wrong term. In fact, I reject the usage of the term. That is like saying that oxygen is "relevant" to someone under water who is desperate for air. The term is simply lacking force and strength.

The reality is, messages are too watery. Talk of living out our daily Christian walk is minimized, to ensure no one is offended. Tough talk is absent. The result? A body of people who are more influenced by the world than the Bible. We know more about American Idol than what is said in Deuteronomy. We need..I need... those who cherish the Bible, have memorized it and understand it, and apply it, to pull me up to a higher level of living.

For example, I heard a speaker on the radio talk about changing a generation...sort of like transforming the world, etc. While that sounds good, and we should seek to do good and bring light to this world, it is not going to get better. I did not say that, the Bible said that.

Back to the basics....encouraging Bible reading, prayer, and Biblical witnessing. Seeking to live a holy life, and being "real" instead of delivering eloquent speeches which lack substance. And finally, actually being doers of the Word (me too by the way), instead of just listening.

Ok, I will get off my soapbox now...: )

Thanks...

C



mvic -> RE: SBC (6/10/2008 8:58:17 PM)

No - don't get off your soapbox. You're doing well.

What you say is on similar lines to my other threads. Christianity is loosing ground here in the UK (I suspect it's the same in the USA).

Our youngsters are more interested in TV programs, celebrities and football rather than Christianity. The older generations are not much better.

Why?

Because we have simply driven God from our lives, from our society and from our nation. And being the gentleman He is - He is leaving us alone.

Christianity is not taught at school. If you mention your Christianity at work you'd most likely be reprimanded. It's something personal you keep to yourself.

Church attendances are falling. Priests, vicars, ministers and so on ... how can I put it politely? Well, they are not what they used to be! I may be generalising a little - but I'm sure you understand the innuendo.

The news/TV media doesn't help. Ministers/vicars etc... are often portrayed as characters of ridicule.

Ignorance (about Christianity), apathy and a degree of affluence reign supreme. So what chance has Christianity got?

The writer of your article accepts responsibility that he has not been "winning people to Christ" as much as he ought to. He's generous in his self-analysis. I suspect many clergy around here think they're doing a grand job.

Sorry to be so negative. I'll get off my soap box too.



evry1needsgod -> RE: SBC (6/10/2008 9:00:11 PM)

I love your soapbox. Perhaps I'll hop on? Haha.

Just have one question. What is the point of the title "SBC?" Is that referring to the Southern Baptist Church? If so, what does that have to do with the points you made?

Oh, and here is a bit of sarcastic humor in light of the 2008 election...

quote:

and being "real" instead of delivering eloquent speeches which lack substance.


You must be speaking of Barack Obama! [:'(]



KnowJesus -> RE: SBC (6/10/2008 9:00:46 PM)

Do you have a link to this article?



HisCovenant -> RE: SBC (6/11/2008 9:39:09 PM)

Move over! I'm getting on that box, too!! [8D]

I'm shocked at the number of Christians I hear of clinging and encouraging other Christians to cling to immaturity. It's like that's what we're discipled into and that's where we think God has lead us.

We have a Church culture that accepts immaturity. It's fine that the youth minister teaches that the God of the OT was wrathful and the God of the NT is loving. It's fine that we do a 10 minute devotion each morning, but never really spend long periods of relational time with God in His word and meditating on what He's already spoken. It's fine to have milky sermons that never contain meat. Prooftexting is fine. Not using your spiritual gift is fine; you are just an audience member.

We're also accepting the ways of the world. The OP's comments on "relevance" go right along with this. We can speak all day without saying anything of substance, using words that sound meaningful, like relevance. We turn worship into entertainment. We combine "common sense" with the Bible until the Bible's message is distorted into a lie. We don't want to speak of anything that rocks the boat. How many Christians have you heard say "don't judge?" That's straight from the world.

I attended SBC for 30 years. I grew up there, but I will never attend another unless I am called as a missionary to go to them. They are on that slippery slope away from God. In another 50 years, they will be a denomination accepting lies, like homosexuality isn't an abomination to God, if they don't get back in the yoke with Christ. Loads of good people are being hoodwinked by some of the stuff going on because it appears to be of Christ when you are immature and don't know God well- when you've been discipled into it instead of Biblical Christianity. Don't get me wrong, there is good going on there and there are some committed Christians growing and laboring there, but that is not the norm from my experience or from what their literature (like Sunday school curriculum) lead to.

And I don't think SBC is alone in what's going on. They have their set of problems, but we all do. I don't know of a denomination that doesn't have some regular issues to realign with God's word. The question is: Are we willing to risk what we like to believe to follow what God says? The thing is, I don't know many Christians who will walk this way. I know many who like to believe they are walking this way, but not many who do.

One of the main problems (as I see it) is that while it's OK for a young Christian to be immature and getting to know God, it's not OK for leadership to be on the same level. We're all learning and growing and will be on different levels due to our experiences, but the denominational leadership as well as congregational leadership ought to be discipling us into Christ and not into a Christ-based system. There is a difference.



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