SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION (SBC)
The SBC is recommended because:
- Successfully completed the Conservative Resurgence, returning to biblical inerrancy
- Baptist Faith & Message 2000 affirms all essential Christian doctrines
- Complementarian position on pastoral leadership
- Traditional marriage position (rejected same-sex marriage)
- Strong missions emphasis through International Mission Board and North American Mission Board
- Variety of church styles while maintaining doctrinal unity
DENOMINATION BACKGROUND
The Southern Baptist Convention was founded in 1845 when Baptists in the South separated from national Baptist organizations over the issue of slavery and missions. The denomination grew to become the largest Protestant denomination in America.
A major turning point came with the "Conservative Resurgence" (1979-2000), a movement to return the denomination to biblical inerrancy after decades of theological drift in SBC seminaries and agencies. This resurgence, led by figures like Paige Patterson and Adrian Rogers, successfully reformed the denomination's institutions.
Today the SBC has approximately 47,000 churches and 13.7 million members, though membership has been declining in recent years.
Historical trajectory:
- 1845-1960s: Largely conservative, though theological diversity existed
- 1960s-1970s: Liberal drift in seminaries and denominational agencies
- 1979-2000: "Conservative Resurgence" restored biblical inerrancy as the standard
- 2000-present: Maintained conservative theology, adopted Baptist Faith & Message 2000
The Conservative Resurgence was a successful effort to return the SBC to its theological roots, making it unique among major American denominations in reversing liberal drift.
- Billy Graham (1918-2018): Most famous Southern Baptist evangelist in history
- Adrian Rogers (1931-2005): Three-time SBC President, key Conservative Resurgence leader
- Paige Patterson: Architect of the Conservative Resurgence, former seminary president
- Al Mohler: President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 1993
- J.D. Greear: Former SBC President, pastor of The Summit Church
- Johnny Hunt: Former SBC President, pastor of First Baptist Woodstock
- First Baptist Church Dallas (Dallas, TX) - W.A. Criswell's historic church, Robert Jeffress current pastor
- Bellevue Baptist Church (Memphis, TN) - Adrian Rogers' church
- First Baptist Church Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL) - Historic megachurch
- The Summit Church (Durham, NC) - J.D. Greear's church
- First Baptist Church Woodstock (Woodstock, GA) - Johnny Hunt's church
- Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA) - Rick Warren's church (though recently disaffiliated)
