Kitchen Table Theology
Where Coffee, Conversation, and Theology Meet. During my 40 years in ministry, I’ve developed an increasing burden for what I sense to be an increase in biblical illiteracy, not only among those in our churches, but also in the young men and women entering the ministry. Conversely, I am hopeful, because I also sense a hunger from people to learn and know biblical truth and the things of God has revealed to us in Scripture. Our Kitchen Table Theology team has developed a list of over 150 doctrinal topics which I, along with one of my cohosts, Jen Denton or Tiffany Coker, examine weekly. Our goal is to educate and share biblical truth on the same level as if we were sitting at your kitchen table with a Bible and a pot of southern pecan coffee in front of us. Welcome to the table!
Kitchen Table Theology
230 Southern Baptist Convention | An Overview | Pt. 3
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., with a vast network of churches and a strong emphasis on missions. But how did it begin, and what sets it apart from other denominations?
Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss everything we've learned about the SBC in the last 2 episodes. If you missed Part 1 and Part 2 of our conversation, be sure to go back and listen to episodes 228 and 229.
Here’s What We Discussed
00:00 The SBC’s Mission-Focused DNA & Membership
From its inception, the Southern Baptist Convention has been focused on spreading the gospel. The SBC remains deeply missional, supporting local, national, and global outreach efforts. Since 2011, the SBC has experienced a steady decline in membership, with numbers dropping from over 16 million to around 13 million today.
06:39 The SBC’s Structure & Annual Meeting
The SBC is a network of autonomous churches that cooperate in missions and theological training while governing themselves. Each year, churches send messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting to vote on key decisions.
08:52 Key SBC Beliefs: The Baptist Faith & Message
The SBC adheres to a doctrinal statement called the Baptist Faith and Message, which outlines core beliefs like:
✔️ The inerrancy and authority of Scripture
✔️ Salvation through faith in Christ alone
✔️ Believer’s baptism by immersion
10:19 The SBC’s Founding
The SBC was founded in 1845 in Augusta, Georgia, after splitting from Northern Baptists over slavery. Southern Baptists sought to keep slavery a non-issue, while Northern Baptists opposed it. In 1995, the SBC formally apologized for condoning slavery and failing to stand against injustice.
13:44 The Six Southern Baptist Seminaries
The SBC operates six major seminaries across the U.S., providing theological training at a reduced cost for students from SBC-affiliated churches:
- Gateway Seminary (California)
- Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Missouri)
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisiana)
- Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (North Carolina)
- Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kentucky)
- Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Texas)
21: 40 Closing
Next week, we shift to Presbyterianism! Reverend Bill McCutcheon, an ordained Presbyterian minister for over 30 years, joins us to discuss the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
Resources Mentioned:
- Why is the SBC so influential? https://baptistnews.com/article/why-is-the-sbc-so-influential-look-at-the-number-of-congregations/
- Where Did the Southern Baptist Convention Lose Ground in the Last Decade? https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/where-did-the-southern-baptist-convention
- The Baptist Faith and Message: http://www.sbc.net/bfm2000/
- A Primer on the Southern Baptist Convention https://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2014/06/a-primer-on-the-southern-baptist-convention-part-1-2/
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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!