SBCV Baptisms Increase

                                                                                                                      Vol. XII, No. 7, August 1999

1998 baptisms of churches affiliated with the SBCV totaled 3,614 ... an increase from the 3,015 recorded in 1997. First, Norfolk, led with 239; followed by London Bridge 192, Thomas Road 173, Spotswood 122, Bethel, Chesapeake, 115, Deep Creek 110, and Colonial Heights 101. Special congratulations are due to Bethel because it is a much smaller church than the others which had more than 100 baptisms.

Members per baptism may be a more fair way to compare churches, for it adjusts for the size of the church. In members per baptism New Century and Gainesville led with 5 members per baptism, followed closely by Dayspring Community, Bethel-Chesapeake, and Anchor at 7:1; Diamond Hill and Hunter Road at 8:1; and Christ First Community, Chatham Fellowship, and London Bridge at 9:1. In this category special recognition is due London Bridge. It very difficult for a large church to achieve one baptism for each nine baptisms. TCP