Developing a Strategy for Revitalizing Large Southern Baptist Churches After a Season of Significant Decline

Abstract

The goals of this project were to gather information from pastors who have led large Southern Baptist Churches to significant numerical growth after a season of substantial decline, to identify the best practices from those interviews, and then to build an adaptable ministry plan for churches who find themselves in a similar position. The first chapter presents the ministry context of Christ Community, a church who saw such a decline and revitalization. It also includes context for the Southern Baptist Convention as a whole, which has been in steady decline for some time. The chapter also contains the goals for the project. Chapter 2 offers exegesis of four passages related to church growth: Matthew 28:16–20, Acts 2:42–47, Matthew 16:18, and 1 Corinthians 14:20–25. These texts demonstrate that pastors have a duty to seek the numerical growth of their churches. Chapter 3 examines three activities that growing churches prioritize: evangelism, assimilation, and small groups. Chapter 4 describes the project by recounting the process of surveying pastors, presenting data, and spelling out the ministry plan. Chapter 5 evaluates the success of the project. This project aims to give pastors a roadmap for revitalizing their once-large churches for the glory of God.