While serving the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association and shepherding this partnership of 180 churches with roots tracing back to the year 1833, I have broadened my concept of what is possible in associational ministry. The history and future of the 1,100 Baptist associations in the United States is blessed by God and the future is bright for associations of churches. Considering my experiences as the Executive Director of the BMBA, an associational missionary in a suburban/exurban association, and my 23-year pastoral ministry in churches of various contexts, I want to share a few thoughts on the challenges and opportunities confronting associations.
Challenges: Urbanization Trends and Church Closures
First, let’s look at the challenges. Recent data from the North American Mission Board (NAMB) challenge prevailing assumptions, bringing to light a surprising statistic—75 percent of Southern Baptist churches closed in a single year were situated in metropolitan areas with populations surpassing 50,000 (namb.net). Some might think churches in rural areas are more likely to close, but that isn’t the case. The closing of urban and suburban churches underscores the need for robust church revitalization strategies, particularly within suburban and urban Baptist associations like the BMBA. Unfortunately, many of my counterparts in other urban settings spend much time stewarding the property and legacy of closing Baptist congregations. I learned this the hard way after leading an exurban association before moving to Birmingham.
The United Nations predicts that by 2050, over 55% of the global population will reside in urban areas, marking a substantial increase from today. Even with the shakeup in urban migration caused by COVID, the cities will eventually win out. The steady growth urban population makes sense. People gravitate to centers of power; cities are the center of government, politics, art, entertainment, education, and finance. In his seminal work, The Urban Christian, Ray Bakke underscores the urgency of cultivating a theology of the city for effective urban ministry. Unfortunately, understanding God’s sovereign work in the global urbanization phenomenon and the internationalization of cities remains a vision often overlooked. In many US cities with a Southern Baptist presence, the church has served as an enclave for transplants from the South; unfortunately, many of those enclave-society churches are dying out.
Considering the significance of reaching cities like Birmingham, albeit smaller on a metropolitan scale, and its 1.2 million residents, a paradigm shift becomes essential. When I started my work at the BMBA, I told the search team who selected me for my role a few years ago that my number one priority would be revitalization and replanting of churches in the Association. Now, the BMBA has designed an entire ministry around the concept, including an online toolbox for urban revitalization. Josh Cook on our team (revitalizeBHM.com) has created and curated the best content in the field. We understand that without strong, vibrant churches, there is no successful associational ministry. God has honored the results with stories of partnerships yielding replanted and revitalized churches in Birmingham; you can check out short videos of replants and revitalizations on our website.
The biblical narrative, commencing in a garden, culminates in a city—the New Jerusalem (Isaiah 65). The good news is that Christ’s church has not merely survived but thrived in cities worldwide over the last two millennia. To emphasize the gravity of urban ministry, ponder the top five most populous cities globally: Chongqing, Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Istanbul. How often do we dedicate time to praying for these megacities and understanding their pivotal role in God’s grand design? Southern Baptists must fall in love with cities and get a biblical vision of gospel hope for these population centers if we hope to see our beloved convention of churches thrive in the future! This is true of global cities, but this love for the city must also be true here in the United States—even Alabama.
Embracing the city, rather than retreating from it, becomes an imperative mandate for Baptist associations and local churches. Wise Great Commission ministry for urban areas necessitates that pastors add to their traditional theological training, which centers on Scripture interpretation, language studies, and understanding ancient customs. In their pursuit of theological depth, many pastors often lack the tools to interpret the city and comprehend the intricacies of urban life. As Bakke asserts, pastors need diagnostic methods to survey, observe, analyze, and interpret complex multicultural communities and their churches. Will you take on the challenge of interpreting the city and cultivating a disciple-making ministry for the city?
Opportunities: A Call to Action
Let’s turn our attention to the opportunities. At the BMBA, we recognize the pivotal importance of understanding our surroundings and have actively embraced tools such as TheARDA.com. The Association of Religious Data Archives, spearheaded by Roger Finke, is a valuable repository of religious data and US Census statistics. This free web-based resource, housed at Pennsylvania State University and funded by the Lilly Endowment and other contributors, offers a pragmatic means to interpret our surroundings, laying the groundwork for strategic evangelism and discipleship. The website has done a great job plotting important data on interactive maps such as each known church, synagogue, and religious community. Spend a day on TheARDA with your church leaders, understanding the communities God has called you to serve.
In addition to understanding our surroundings, each SBC church must look within for an honest evaluation. For churches grappling with changing demographics and strategic challenges, a series of crucial questions emerge:
1. How do we address the changing demographics surrounding our church?
2. Have we waited too long to make strategic changes to reach the neighborhood?
3. How do we uphold traditions and care for facilities with decreasing attendance?
4. Can our church make changes to help current members while reaching new people?
5. Do we need a stronger partner church?
6. How do we initiate dialogue with a partner church?
7. What happens to our church building if we must close? How can we honor God with our legacy?
8. Our church was rural or suburban and is now in the city. How do we catch up with our new reality?
9. How do we find resources to help our church accomplish its mission?
Each question encapsulates the nuanced issues faced by churches in transition; really, these challenges are opportunities for obedience to the Holy Spirit to make God-honoring decisions for our churches and associations. The BMBA stands prepared to guide and assist churches and leaders in navigating these complexities; our Association answers calls nationwide from those who need a listening ear or advice. We understand the need for strategic changes, the significance of honoring traditions, and the necessity of embracing the ever-evolving dynamics of our communities. Do you see opportunities for your church or association? Do you need help or an outside perspective? We are glad to help! God may open the door for a new opportunity for your ministry.
Courageously Moving Beyond the Present Reality
Baptist associations and churches find themselves at the vanguard of significant transitions, propelled by urbanization and changing demographics. The BMBA’s experiences underscore the importance of adapting to the urban context and understanding the fabric of our communities. As we confront present challenges and consider opportunities, a steadfast commitment to embracing change will empower Baptist associations and their churches in the mission of making disciples. While the journey may be complex, the opportunities for profound gospel impact and Kingdom growth are equally abundant. In 2024, let us courageously move beyond our present challenges in our churches and associations to embrace the opportunity of reaching people for Christ.