I was alarmed by a recent report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that came from the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida. Allow me to quote the article.
"The nation's largest evangelical body (Southern Baptists) grew by about 1 million people every year between 1962 and 1977 (current membership is around 16 million). Since 2001, the growth has stalled. Baptisms have dropped. Some years, membership has dipped. Giving has started to decrease."
Not only have these numbers seen very disturbing losses, the article went on to say that doubt has entered our churches. A reliable polling firm found that most self-described evangelicals no longer believe that Jesus provides the only path to God.
These findings are very unsettling but there is some good news. While membership has declined somewhat, actual worship attendance has actually increased in the past two years. In other words, while many are not joining a church, they are coming in larger numbers to hear the Word.
Also, baptisms increased by 2.2 percent this past year.
By the way, Jesus said in John 14:6. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Let us press on to fulfill the Great Commission and win the world for Christ!
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