Part 1
I pastor a Southern Baptist Church. The SBC just conducted their annual Convention held in Orlando FL. Like so many Denominations, there was much harumphing and pious pronouncements - -ad-infinitum, ad nauseum.
The faithful anticipated this assembly with high expectations. The focus of their (our) expectations was the initiative known as Toward a Resurgence in The Great Commission. After many years of corporate denial, finally someone found the courage to serve as 'the little boy at the parade'! They shouted to the world - the Emperor has no cloths. No, the Emperor is Butt Naked!! There were many promises made that real substantive issues would be addressed, corrected and implemented in our ministry future. This writer personally corresponded with personnel serving on the Task Force. I received assurance that this would indeed be the case.
The statistical decline has been a Documented Indisputable Fact for decades. But, the establishment continued to substitute genuine fulfillment of the GC with the number of reported baptisms (both Jesus and Paul found affirmation of ministry in NOT baptizing - they were focused on making disciples!). The lie on this point is that according to our own research on those reported baptisms, fewer than 10% of those baptized could even be located one (1) year after their baptism. If you cannot find them, it is quite evident that you are NOT engaged in intentional effective discipleship.
So, in light of this discovery there was instant repentance, a modification of our theology of evangelism and our methodology in qualifying people for entering the waters of baptism correct? WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Why?
The SBC reports a membership of 16.3 Million. However on our best Sunday we may get 6.7 million in attendance. We must continue this charade at all costs. Never mind that it is not just the little boy at the parade that knows this is a BIG FAT D_ _N LIE! The whole bloody world knows this pathetic Truth and they scoff by the millions. We express a pseudo concern for the lost when we perpetuate such shameful accounting. This kind of duplicitous and shameful accounting destroys the integrity of the Gospel in the eyes of lost and redeemed people alike. But, when you insist on doing ministry with a corrupt theology and a corrupt metric, you are satisfied with the husks of the pig pen. We could go back home and find the Father rejoicing to forgive us and receive us but PRIDE prevents this wise and prudent action.
There was pontification on the evils of the oil spill corrupting the environment and of divorce corrupting the family. Resolutions were adopted on these issues - - only to get stuck in some dusty file drawer never to be seen again. But, there was no action taken on the issues that are corrupting the message of the Gospel; a seriously flawed Doctrine of Soteriology (the majority practice a synergistic rather than a monergistic approach to salvation). To bolster the sagging numbers (those numbers to be worshiped and preserved above all else) the trend is to baptize children at younger and younger ages. One report indicated that 38% of the reported baptisms were children five (5) or under. Ed Stetzer had an article titled Toward Paedo-Baptism written in alarm at this trend.
The faithful anticipated this assembly with high expectations. The focus of their (our) expectations was the initiative known as Toward a Resurgence in The Great Commission. After many years of corporate denial, finally someone found the courage to serve as 'the little boy at the parade'! They shouted to the world - the Emperor has no cloths. No, the Emperor is Butt Naked!! There were many promises made that real substantive issues would be addressed, corrected and implemented in our ministry future. This writer personally corresponded with personnel serving on the Task Force. I received assurance that this would indeed be the case.
The statistical decline has been a Documented Indisputable Fact for decades. But, the establishment continued to substitute genuine fulfillment of the GC with the number of reported baptisms (both Jesus and Paul found affirmation of ministry in NOT baptizing - they were focused on making disciples!). The lie on this point is that according to our own research on those reported baptisms, fewer than 10% of those baptized could even be located one (1) year after their baptism. If you cannot find them, it is quite evident that you are NOT engaged in intentional effective discipleship.
So, in light of this discovery there was instant repentance, a modification of our theology of evangelism and our methodology in qualifying people for entering the waters of baptism correct? WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Why?
The SBC reports a membership of 16.3 Million. However on our best Sunday we may get 6.7 million in attendance. We must continue this charade at all costs. Never mind that it is not just the little boy at the parade that knows this is a BIG FAT D_ _N LIE! The whole bloody world knows this pathetic Truth and they scoff by the millions. We express a pseudo concern for the lost when we perpetuate such shameful accounting. This kind of duplicitous and shameful accounting destroys the integrity of the Gospel in the eyes of lost and redeemed people alike. But, when you insist on doing ministry with a corrupt theology and a corrupt metric, you are satisfied with the husks of the pig pen. We could go back home and find the Father rejoicing to forgive us and receive us but PRIDE prevents this wise and prudent action.
There was pontification on the evils of the oil spill corrupting the environment and of divorce corrupting the family. Resolutions were adopted on these issues - - only to get stuck in some dusty file drawer never to be seen again. But, there was no action taken on the issues that are corrupting the message of the Gospel; a seriously flawed Doctrine of Soteriology (the majority practice a synergistic rather than a monergistic approach to salvation). To bolster the sagging numbers (those numbers to be worshiped and preserved above all else) the trend is to baptize children at younger and younger ages. One report indicated that 38% of the reported baptisms were children five (5) or under. Ed Stetzer had an article titled Toward Paedo-Baptism written in alarm at this trend.
Part 2
The issues that flash like neon lights in the night that should have been addressed in deep humble repentance and contrition are:
1. The loss of church discipline. Not punishment at the end of the line but Life in Community and people holding one another accountable at the first hint of sin and departure from the narrow way; cf. Life Together by Bonhoeffer.
2. The corruption of the gospel in permitting the 'sinner's prayer' as a substitute for genuine Holy Spirit generated repentance and confession. Pseudo conversions have filled the pews of our churches with unregenerate people who are at ease in Zion. Evidence of this is we need entire departments in our State Conventions titled "Conflict Resolution". If the Holy Spirit does not dwell in the members, no Department from the Baptist Building is going to calm the troubled waters!
3. The use of one a dimensional metric - numbers as the sole dynamic by which we measure ministry effectiveness. More is better - - Buildings, Budgets, Baptism and Butts; or, the ABC's Attendance, Baptism and Cash. God is interested in the Transformation of His people into the fullness of the Image of Christ not mere numbers.
4. Classifying Sin. We will bust you in a minute for drinking an ounce of alcohol but you can be a glutton and weigh 450 pounds and all is well. What would happen to the pulpits across the SBC if we applied some sort of wellness standard to our Pastors that included a BMI index?
5. A Corrupt Polity. The church is not a democracy. No wonder there is chaos. People who have not attended for 5-6 years return to reap havoc via the practice of so called Congregational Polity. Ludicrous.
6. Unqualified Leadership. What would happen if all those who wear the mantle of "Leader" were to be examined by the text of Scripture as to qualification for service in the Body of Christ as a Leader? I work with hundreds of churches each year, many SBC and this is an undisputed fact.
7. The Absence of the Authority of Scripture. There is precious little exegesis to support ministry practices. When there is a credible attempt to apply the principles and precepts of the clear and unambiguous expressions of Scripture, those promoting such are shouted down or perhaps summarily dismissed.
Seven is the perfect number so I will cease. Not because there is not more to say, but enough is enough. I remain an SBC Pastor. But, I will no longer serve in silence. I intend to appeal to those in positions of Leadership to act. I will do so with Grace. I will do so with Passion. I will do so with Tenacity. Those who have served with me know full well what "Tenacity" means.
I invite any who read this post and find affinity with what I have written to join me. I plead with my brother Pastors to be found as Joshua and Caleb. The other ten were miserable cowards and their carcasses rotted in the wilderness. Rightly so.
My prayer is that God will not do less than bring the full splendor of His Holiness and Mercy to bear on our pilgrimage. When He does, we will be TRANSFORMED for His Glory! Amen.
1. The loss of church discipline. Not punishment at the end of the line but Life in Community and people holding one another accountable at the first hint of sin and departure from the narrow way; cf. Life Together by Bonhoeffer.
2. The corruption of the gospel in permitting the 'sinner's prayer' as a substitute for genuine Holy Spirit generated repentance and confession. Pseudo conversions have filled the pews of our churches with unregenerate people who are at ease in Zion. Evidence of this is we need entire departments in our State Conventions titled "Conflict Resolution". If the Holy Spirit does not dwell in the members, no Department from the Baptist Building is going to calm the troubled waters!
3. The use of one a dimensional metric - numbers as the sole dynamic by which we measure ministry effectiveness. More is better - - Buildings, Budgets, Baptism and Butts; or, the ABC's Attendance, Baptism and Cash. God is interested in the Transformation of His people into the fullness of the Image of Christ not mere numbers.
4. Classifying Sin. We will bust you in a minute for drinking an ounce of alcohol but you can be a glutton and weigh 450 pounds and all is well. What would happen to the pulpits across the SBC if we applied some sort of wellness standard to our Pastors that included a BMI index?
5. A Corrupt Polity. The church is not a democracy. No wonder there is chaos. People who have not attended for 5-6 years return to reap havoc via the practice of so called Congregational Polity. Ludicrous.
6. Unqualified Leadership. What would happen if all those who wear the mantle of "Leader" were to be examined by the text of Scripture as to qualification for service in the Body of Christ as a Leader? I work with hundreds of churches each year, many SBC and this is an undisputed fact.
7. The Absence of the Authority of Scripture. There is precious little exegesis to support ministry practices. When there is a credible attempt to apply the principles and precepts of the clear and unambiguous expressions of Scripture, those promoting such are shouted down or perhaps summarily dismissed.
Seven is the perfect number so I will cease. Not because there is not more to say, but enough is enough. I remain an SBC Pastor. But, I will no longer serve in silence. I intend to appeal to those in positions of Leadership to act. I will do so with Grace. I will do so with Passion. I will do so with Tenacity. Those who have served with me know full well what "Tenacity" means.
I invite any who read this post and find affinity with what I have written to join me. I plead with my brother Pastors to be found as Joshua and Caleb. The other ten were miserable cowards and their carcasses rotted in the wilderness. Rightly so.
My prayer is that God will not do less than bring the full splendor of His Holiness and Mercy to bear on our pilgrimage. When He does, we will be TRANSFORMED for His Glory! Amen.
Pastor Tom,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your continuing challenge to our convention leaders and churches.
My brother, have you pledged your head to the denominational chopping block? Fire on! I salute you
ReplyDelete