For many reasons it appears so, and has for some time.
Check the graph recently compiled by the SBC Executive Committee comparing various congregation types over the 1990-2018 period. You may find this and other data in Ronnie Floyd’s recent excellent and informative article: A statistical analysis of growth in SBC congregations by race and ethnicity from 1990-2018.
To wit:
Compare anglo growth, around 11 percent over the period, to non-anglo growth (African American + Hispanic + Asian American + Other ethnic) whose growth rate was over 30 percent.
Anglo churches still make up about 80 percent of all congregations and 90 percent of membership while African-American churches show the largest growth rate.
The Grand Old SBC is still a heavily anglo convention. We have some challenges ahead and it is only sensible to recognize that the energy and growth is clearly non-anglo. The United States is projected to be a “majority-minority” nation (white, non-hispanic population) sometime between 2040 and 2050.
This isn’t the SBC of the 1950s.
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I would offer a more readable graph but technical challenges overwhelm this old codger. The underlying SBCnet article has several relevant tables and graphs. Check them out.
Gig me, if you wish, for using the word “growth” in the title. The SBC is not a growing convention.
The last time (about a year ago) I wrote on the general subject I was criticized for even bringing up the matter of race in the SBC. I like ostriches but only in a zoo or the wilds of Africa.
I argue whether it’s important for the SBC to grow at all. I think we’re focused on the wrong question.
Amen.
As long as there are lost people in the world, then yes it is important that we grow.
Can lost people be saved outside the SBC? Do our churches have to be part of the SBC as it is currently constituted to reach lost people? Could we all leave the SBC today and still minister to lost people?
It could certainly be argued growth in the SBC means more people reached, but more people reached does not always mean the SBC grows. There is no causality there.
No one is suggesting that the SBC is the only group that should reach lost people. If our churches would all focus on making disciples, ultimately the Churches would grow and the SBC would grow as a byproduct. We would hope other orthodox churches (and their respective groups) would also make disciples as well.
So yes the SBC should grow. Other non-SBC Baptists should grow. The Bible church should grow. The Evangelical Free church should grow. The Christian & Missionary Alliance should grow. Etc, etc.
There is certainly a lot to be distressed about in reading the underlying article… But a silver lining to me anyway is that according to the graphs we have been and are continuing to reach minorities in a way we had not in the past.
Absolutely we need to be reaching more people… Of all skin tones and cultures – but it is somewhat encouraging in that regard.
Just call me the eternal optimist Who can find the optimism in the midst of pessimism… It seems to suit me. 😉
We could use a few optimists around here…
It’s great that minority church numbers held grew. The charts do seem to show a peak in 2005 to 2010 in terms of overall numbers.
It would be interesting to see what the numbers would look like if they removed satellite churches from the ACP. It would probably show an even higher percentage for minority churches due to more decline of anglo churches.
If all these ethnic groups are showing growth, why are we still showing decline? I don’t understand the graphic.
Total SBC membership is down. The article has several tables and the one graph that I chose, growth in congregations. The SBC is adding congregations, net increase though very tiny. It is losing members overall.
Non-anglo congregations are fewer and on average smaller than anglo. Growth rates for non-anglo congregations are insufficient to offset decline in anglo members; hence, declining denomination.
Okay. Thanks
So then. . . compared to overall population growth, we are declining, and maybe in absolute terms as well, but within the SBC, most of the growth is in non-anglo congregations. Is that correct?
William Thornton , the Immigration Act of 1965 changed America forever by being “fair” to the world instead of looking out for the national interest of the USA. To be brief, the SBC and other traditional organizations based on European Western civilization and culture are going to be in decline to the point of having no influence or power in the new American society. Look at NYC and California and that is the future. I know it may seem I am just talking social, political and cultural issues but that is what gives faith based organizations its place in society.… Read more »
This isn’t a political article, Steve. Take it somewhere else.
I favor reaching whatever souls are in our country, however they got here.
William Thornton, I apologize to you as it as it your article, a good one, and I was trying to express a muddled thought of mine. Of course we are to spread the Gospel , period. My muddled point was we have to be a viable organization . However you are correct about in your critique. Unfortunately most of my thoughts lately are muddled.
And I apologize for being short with you, bro.
Because if there is a significant portion of our residents who we aren’t reaching, then we aren’t fulfilling the great commission. The SBC should give zero thought to European Western civilization when going about its business.
The Anglo percentage of the population in the USA is steadily declining. So, we should be reaching more non-Anglos. The SBC, like the USA, will be more diverse in the future. We should ensure that non-Anglos feel appreciated and included in the leadership of the SBC.
If we are to grow, it will because of a move of the Holy Spirit and not because we need to have a re-organization in the area of race and culture. We try so hard to do things “in the flesh” and when a “Trojan horse” comes along, we allow it in because it will make us “look good.” As the new year comes in, we can learn so much from Ronnie Floyd over 25 years ago when he and Dr. Bill Bright spent weeks in fasting and prayer. Men like HB Charles are an example of a man who… Read more »
Some folks seem to be more interested in statistics than in proclaiming the Gospel
Cheap shot?
C’mon Curtis. Up your comment game.
From these graphs, seems like primarily white churches need go learn from the other churches.
I am seriously confused here, not trying to argumentative. This is not a rhetorical question, but a real one. The local SBC pastors are 5 point Calvinists and tell me that is where the SBC is fully heading. Now, if 5 point Calvinism be true, there is absolutely nothing ya’ll can do to grow the SBC or see souls saved. That is up to God to decide and do. So this article reads more like a Wesleyan one. I am sure I am just in over my head and pay grade, but I really want to understand. It would seem… Read more »
Sarah: It would be good to be skeptical if someone tells you they know where the SBC is heading. Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike would probably want to see the SBC head in their direction. But the 2 groups have been together and will continue to be together. I do think you misunderstand what Calvinists believe about church growth and evangelization.
I am sure I do misunderstand–can you point me to resources that would make it more clear? Determinism seems a closed system not changeable by change in target audience or demographic.