A recent LifeWay Research survey found that three-quarters of pastors with denominational affiliation believe it is vital to be part of a denomination, but a majority also believe that the importance of identifying with a denomination will diminish over the next 10 years.
We invited South Carolina pastors and ministry leaders to share their thoughts about the survey.
“It is important for churches to affiliate with like-minded churches – which, in reality, is the whole idea of denominations. Unfortunately, we’ve forgotten that Christ called us to ‘be one,’ regardless of our view of non-essential doctrinal viewpoints, and we’ve emphasized those minor differences to the point where we as believers have segregated ourselves and become ineffective in the communities we were called to reach. If we were to be better informed of the purposes and benefits of affiliation – in empowering our ministries and outreach efforts, in bundling resources, and in praying for one another – I believe many other churches would partner with their denominational associations.”
Roger L. Goforth, Pastor
Reach Point Ministries
Swansea
“What’s important to me is purity in doctrine, above all else. I would have to say Baptists have the clearest doctrine on what the Bible teaches and what I believe. Christ alone, through faith alone, is the cornerstone. Is denominational affiliation important to me at this time? I would have to say yes. As long as the convention holds to biblical truths, I will support the Baptist denomination.”
Don Patrick, Pastor
Turkey Creek Baptist Church
Ware Shoals
“I have been a pastor of Southern Baptist churches for 54 years. From the beginning, I felt it was important to be a part of the SBC, the state convention and the local Baptist association, and I still feel that way. It bothers me when churches remove ‘Baptist’ from their name. Some even leave out the word ‘church’ itself. The names ‘Baptist’ and ‘church’ identify who we are. I hope and pray that denominational identity stays with us 100 percent in the future.”
H. LeRoy Huthmacher, Pastor
First Baptist Church of St. Andrews Parish
Charleston
“All that the SBC measures is attendance, offerings and baptisms. Scripture calls upon us to measure individual and corporate transformation into the image of Christ. Compare the funds expended on ‘activity’ and the funds expended on ministry that produces objective, verifiable transformation. This will be Exhibit A on the future of the SBC as a denomination if we do not engage in wholehearted repentance and take steps to implement ministry venues that produce and measure transformation with objective integrity. It is most certainly true that we accomplish much more together than alone. However, if the real issues are not identified, labeled accurately and systematically addressed in open and participatory venues, the [downward] trends will accelerate, and the decline will sweep us into insignificance.”
Tom Fillinger, CEO
IgniteUS, Inc.
Columbia
“I am a [North American Mission Board] Mission Service Corps missionary. We identify needs in the poverty areas of Greenville, mobilize volunteers, and share the love of Christ while meeting those needs. We feel it is a necessity for all denominations to work together for the kingdom while at the same time being respectful of our theological differences. It seems churches today are allowing denominational boundaries to limit their effectiveness. I would encourage all who are kingdom-minded to get out of their boxes and join their denominational brothers and sisters in their immediate communities and show how we as Christians can move forward together for the greater good of the kingdom. There are plenty out there who will listen and are searching, but they also need to see a united front and a sense of unity in the body of Christ.”
Ellis Beddingfield
Missions/Project Director
Diligent Hands – Gracious Hearts
Greenville
“I feel it is very important to have partnership with the local Chester Baptist Association, the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. We can do much more to accomplish our Lord’s Great Commission by working together than any single church can do alone. I felt a disconnect when the trend started to arise with new church starts eliminating the word ‘Baptist’ from the name. I have studied just about every denomination considered to be Christian and have made the choice to call my affiliation Baptist because I see our doctrine as more biblically aligned than any other. I am, in a sense of godly pride, proud to be a Baptist. I believe in what we can do together for Jesus, and I thank God for our stand upon the eternal truth of God’s never-changing word.”
Dennis Willoughby, Pastor
First Baptist Church
Blackstock
“I am extremely proud to be connected with my Southern Baptist association, state and national conventions. All three provide valuable resources for my ministry and my church, all paid for with Cooperative Program dollars. All I need do is call, and the help is there. Additionally, the Cooperative Program is the most effective method of training, sending and supporting our missionaries, as well as supporting our agencies and seminaries.”
Clay Shook, Pastor
Memorial Baptist Church
St. George
– Compiled by Butch Blume