R.G. Lee wrote many years ago (in the fastest growing years of Southern Baptists), "Consider the matter of growth of Southern Baptists. Usually the subject is approached from the positive point of view. 'How shall we grow?' View the subject form the other direction - 'How did Southern Baptists not grow?' Several suggestions may be listed:
1. Practice open church membership - this will devaluate our Baptist position.
2. Disregard the Scriptural meaning of, and invitation to, the Lord's Supper - this will cheapen communion.
3. Play down the importance of baptism - this will stifle our testimony.
4. Emphasize ecumenicity - this will erase our distinctives.
5. Be apologetic regarding the use of the name "Baptist" - this will weaken our prestige.
6. Deny direct kinship with the New Testament Christians - this will cut the root of Biblical and doctrinal strength.
7. Minimize the importance of training - this will close the churches on Sunday evenings.
8. Take the side track of fanatical conservatism or radical liberalism - this will produce a series of splinter groups.
9. Solicit financial support from non-Baptists - this will make beggars of the churches.
These roads will lead to denominational nothingness."
Truly the voice of a prophet! I hope we will listen and turn back the tide.
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