Who are the Baptists and How Do You

Reach Them?

R. Chip Turner

❶ Almost 1 in 5 Americans Claims

to be Baptist

❶ Almost 1 in 5 Americans Claims

to be Baptist

❷ More counties in the United

States lists Baptists as the

largest faith group than any other. (1287 counties - Source: Religious

Congregations & Membership in the U.S. 2000

Glenmary Research Center, Nashville, TN)

❶ Almost 1 in 5 Americans Claims

to be Baptist

❷ More counties in the United

States lists Baptists as the

largest faith group than any other. (1287 counties - Source: Religious

Congregations & Membership in the U.S. 2000

Glenmary Research Center, Nashville, TN)

❸ Baptists in the U.S. are divided

into more than 60 bodies

» Conservative Baptist Association of America» Duck River & Kindred Baptists Associations» Enterprise Baptists Associations » Fundamental Baptist Associations / Fellowships» General Association of Regular Baptists» General Six Principle Baptists» Independent Free Will Baptists Associations» Interstate & Foreign Landmark Missionary Baptists Assn.» Jasper Baptist & Pleasant Valley Baptist Associations» Landmark Missionary Baptists» National Primitive Baptist Convention USA

» New Hope Baptist Association» New Testament Assn. of Independent Baptist Churches» “Old” Missionary Baptists Associations» Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, Inc.» Primitive Baptist Churches» Primitive Baptists, Eastern District» Progressive Primitive Baptists» Reformed Baptist Churches» Separate Baptists in Christ» Seventh Day Baptist General Conference» Strict Baptists» Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists

» Wayne Trail Missionary Baptist Association

However, knowing something about a However, knowing something about a much smaller list will likely serve you much smaller list will likely serve you well. And, “doing your homework” will well. And, “doing your homework” will help address other Baptist help address other Baptist denominations which may have a denominations which may have a strong regional presence in your area.*strong regional presence in your area.*

*Note: There are several smaller Baptist denominations which do use Scouting consistently and would offer growth potential in some locales.

Independent Baptist Churches

Progressive National Baptist Convention

Autonomy / Independence of the Local ChurchSomething About Structure – Whether Southern, American, National,

General, BMA, Free Will, Progressive National, Primitive, Independent, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, etc., there are some similarities:

Affiliations beyond the local church are voluntaryNational ConventionsState ConventionsLocal AssociationsDistricts

Association State Convention

Southern Baptist Convention

A Baptist DenominationA Baptist Denomination

Southern Baptist Convention (an annual meeting and a denomination)

SBC Executive Committee

6 Seminaries

ERLC

LifeWay Christian

Resources

North American Mission Board

International Mission Board

Guidestone FinancialServices (Annuity)

Woman’s Missionary

Union (Aux)

Association State Convention

Southern Baptist Convention

A State ConventionA State Convention

►Colleges/Universities►Children’s Homes►Retirement Homes►Disaster Relief Units►State Newspaper►Program Staff & Events for Churches►State Missions►And More (varies by state)

“Baptism” – Total Immersion“People of the Book” – The Bible“Evangelism” / “Outreach”“Family Ministry” / “Strengthening Families”“Missions”“Spiritual Aspect of Scouting” / “PRAY Program

of Religious Emblems” / “Religious Education”“Serving God” “Local church, not The Baptist Church” “Sharing in Leadership Selection”“Ministry” vs. “Sponsorship” for Troops

100,000+ Local Baptist churches

Church members who are gifted to serve and are now being underutilized

Desire of leadership to reach children, youth and families through integral church ministries

The P.R.A.Y. Program www.praypub.org

Good Shepherd Recognition www.praypub.org

Association of Baptists for Scouting www.BaptistScouters.org

Consult websites for specific Baptist denominations

Thank you!Thank you!