High Baptism Churches

by   Sarah Zimmennan                                                                                                                                                                 Vol. V, No. 1, March 1992

Churches with high baptism rates are those which practice time-tested evangelistic principles, a Home Mission Board study of 1,000 SBC congregations reveals. The research shows high baptism churches have the following characteristics: a pastor who is committed to frequent personal witnessing, witness training for lay people of all ages, a variety of evangelistic methods, a vision for growth, and a method to identify and visit prospects. The survey identified 84 churches which had baptized five or more people per 100 resident members for two consecutive years, and 91 churches which had baptized one or less person per 100 resident members the same two years.

Three-fourths of pastors of high baptism churches said they witness daily or several times a week. Only 44% of pastors in low baptism churches said the same. High rate churches also stress personal evangelism by laity. Eighty-two percent of pastors of the high churches said their members would be comfortable telling a friend about Christ, compared to 66% of pastors in the low baptism churches.

One characteristic of low baptism churches is relying on revivals for the primary evangelistic thrust. Pastors of low baptism churches tend to agree with statements such as "revivals are more important in our church than any other evangelistic effort." Pastors of high rate churches depend upon a variety of evangelistic tools.

Another difference is prospect files. More than 82% of high baptism pastors said their church had an updated prospect file, while 59% of pastors of low baptism churches reported an updated file.

Although size and location play a role, high baptism churches are found in all sizes and locations. A church that moves toward the profile suggested by this report will be in a better position to see evangelistic results, no matter what its other characteristics. [BP]