JEFFERSON CITY — A decline in baptisms around the state continued in 2014, despite the efforts of numerous churches, including those recognized by the Missouri Baptist Convention’s evangelism-discipleship team as “Pacesetters” in total annual baptisms.
According to the Annual Church Profile, Missouri Baptist churches reported 8,248 baptisms in 2014, a statistic that shows a drop from the 9,706 baptisms reported in 2013 and the 10,364 reported in 2012. This is in keeping with a nearly 10-year decline in baptisms among Missouri Baptists, who reported between 12,000 and 17,000 baptisms between 1987 and 2006.
Nevertheless, Mark Snowden, MBC evangelism/discipleship strategist, celebrated numerous churches around the state that have set the pace for baptisms. According to Snowden, the 2014 ACP report suggested that baptisms occurred at a ratio, on average, of one baptism for every 12.7 Sunday School attenders. In other terms, there was, on average, one baptism for every 19 attenders in morning worship services.
Additionally, Snowden said, only one out of every 10 people with whom Southern Baptists share the gospel actually profess their faith through baptism. He noted that Share Jesus Without Fear author Bill Fey has observed that people usually accept the gospel after about seven exposures to the gospel.
“That means that 82,480 gospel conversations could have transpired last year,” Snowden said.
According to Snowden, the top five MBC churches in baptisms for 2014 were Crossway, Springfield, with 180 baptisms; Forest Park, Joplin, with 170 baptisms; Pleasant Valley, Liberty, with 136 baptisms; Calvary, Joplin, with 114 baptisms; and First, Arnold, with 112 baptisms.
Snowden also noted that, according to a survey of pastors from 2013’s “Pacesetter” churches, several factors contributed to baptisms:
• Preaching in a way that gave a clear gospel message and invitation at each service.
• Scheduling dates for baptisms throughout the year and announcing it two months in advance.
• Training members in evangelism on a regular basis.
• Inviting lost people to church is the norm.
• Discipling new believers to be witnesses.
• Acting on an evangelism plan that includes many members in weekly visitation.
• Prioritizing making disciples rather than mere worship attendance.
“Look around your community,” Snowden said. “Who is missing out on worshipping Jesus as their Lord and Savior? As Micah Fries once said, “Be a friend not just so you can share the gospel. Be a friend and share the gospel.”
Missouri Baptists can receive a free brochure, “Baptism: An act of obedience, a time of celebration,” by sending an email to evangelism@mobaptist.org.