Comments on: Fifteen Factors That Have Changed the SBC since 1979, Part 2

By: Bob Mayfield

Bob Mayfield — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:52:58 +0000

Just found this post, thanks for sharing it Nathan. It’s interesting after reading the comments and the amount of time this post has been up, that no one has commented on #6!

One of the hallmarks of the current movement in evangelical churches, including SBC, is this one: “Life change happens best in small groups (small communities as Stetzer calls them).” I’m sure we’ve all heard it.

I’m not sure if this quote is just a mantra leaders say but don’t really mean, or if we really believe that it is true. Small communities (small groups or Sunday School) are incredible opportunities to involve people in evangelism. They offer a lost person an opportunity found almost no where else… a place where they can “test drive” Jesus. They can ask questions, study His word, and be involved in Christian community.

I think it is time to redirect our energies in our churches’ education ministries so that we are focused on life transformation.

Just saying…

By: Nathan Finn

Nathan Finn — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:37:13 +0000

Alvin, I would quibble with your differ begging, but I think it might bring consensus. I would argue that the early Jesus Movement was a manifestation of the miraculous gifts movement, albeit one that started among the youth counter-culture and then spread to local churches. As it did spread to churches, that included many non-charismatic (or Pentecostal) churches, like Baptist and Methodist churches. In fact, I would argue that in some cases the Jesus Movement played a key role in leading many mainline churches to embrace charismatic tendencies.

So regarding music, I think it is both/and–Those who affirmed the continuation of miraculous gifts, including the bulk of the Jesus Movement folks, opened the door for more “contemporary” forms of worship music in our churches.

By: Alvin Reid

Alvin Reid — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:47:32 +0000

One other thing. Protracted meetings a couple centuries ago began more like they are today–weekend meetings. They extended to longer seasons, leading to the two week long meetings of a generation ago. I think if we allowed mass meetings in general to be included we would find more than we may think.

That being said, I believe there is far too little emphasis on the preaching of the gospel to the masses in our time. We can be both missional and attractional and reach more people and different people!

By: Alvin Reid

Alvin Reid — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:44:50 +0000

Nice work. I have to beg to differ on the rise of more recent worship music. I would argue the Jesus Movement provided the fertile ground for fundamental changes. The charismatic/3rd wave movement capitalized on it more quickly than others. But regardless, the move to drums and guitars and such has not ceased. I must confess having been a minister of music in the 80s, the era of the track music for “specials,” I much prefer a live band .

On the decline of evangelistic (revival) meetings, no doubt there are less. But these things tend to have a cycle to them. I would not be surprised to see a renewal of such meetings before terribly wrong. There is already a growing renewal of passionate, biblical preaching among young adults in urban areas. Perhaps protracted meetings will follow. We will see.

By: iMonk

iMonk — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:26:45 +0000

I was the last revival scheduled by my home church. Was canceled with less than 2 weeks to go. They’ve never had another.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:29:57 +0000

Great article. My personal, subjective, and completely non-scientific theory about the decline of revivals is that most lost people simply do not want to attend revival meetings any more. Then when there are no lost people at the revival, the revival becomes more about the spiritual walks of the saved people. Then the saved people notice that the revivals are not much different than regular church services and start to ask why they need revival meetings. After all, why should they give “love offerings” to evangelists and fill up their weeknights with meetings if they don’t see any fruit from it?

I think it might also have something to do with the rise of a generation that doesn’t trust anyone who’s called an “evangelist.” We’ve seen too many TV-preacher scandals and guys in expensive suits that try to sell Jesus like a used car.

By: Dr. Nathan Finn on Changes in the SBC since 1979 | Northwestern Baptist Association

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:55:35 +0000

[...] the SBC and how those changes impact churches today. You can find the articles here, Part 1 and Part 2 [...]

By: David R. Brumbelow

David R. Brumbelow — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:07:38 +0000

My dad preached many revivals. At the beginning of a revival he used to ask those in the congregation to stand if they had been saved during a revival meeting. Back in those days, usually the large majority of folks would stand. He would then emphasize the importance of that week’s revival.

I think there are more revivals than some realize; most churches just do not publicize them in the state papers like they used to. But still, I have to agree with you that we don’t have near the number of revivals we used to. And I’m one of those who prays that will change in the days ahead.
David R. Brumbelow

By: Charlie Wallace

Charlie Wallace — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:56:03 +0000

Great article, once again. Can you give us your prediction of what the decibel level of modern worship music will be 20 years from now? As of now, I believe it’s somewhere between loud enough to register as an earthquake and loud enough to make my eardrums bleed.

I sound old.