The SBC's (Slight) Decline

In a recent posting entitled, "Southern Baptists decline in baptisms, membership, attendance," author Russ Rankin reports that, "The number of baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention in 2010 fell by nearly 5 percent, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions." The SBC showed a decline in total members of 0.15%, the fourth straight year of decline. Worship attendance also declined by 0.19% during 2010. Denominational leaders take some comfort, however, from an increase if 1.59% in the number of SBC congregations.

The SBC remains by far-and-away the largest U. S. Protestant denomination with well over 16 million members. By the rate of decline seen in most of the so-called mainline denominations, the rates of Southern Baptist decline are almost negligible. SBC leaders find them troubling, however, because of the denomination's commitment to growth. They are also troubled by the fact that in the past they have linked other denominations' decline to those denominations' failure to maintain a correct theology according to SBC standards.

The jury is still out on whether or not organized Christianity is on the decline in the U.S. It seems to be, especially among younger people; but by international standards American churches and denominations remain impressively active and vital. If, however, the Southern Baptists continue to show decline and esp. if that decline were to accelerate, it would be an indication that some decline in organized Christianity has indeed set in. Only time will tell.