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| Study Reveals Need for Discipleship in Kentucky |
| Release Date: 11/14/2007 |
 ELIZABETHTOWN – A study on the spiritual maturity among Kentucky Baptists has revealed a concerning lack of effective discipleship throughout the Kentucky Baptist Convention, said Scott McConnell during the closing session of the convention’s 170th annual meeting, Nov. 14.
Click here to download McConnell's PowerPoint presentation.
McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research, was invited to share the results of a KBC-commissioned LifeWay Research study earlier this year. The study surveyed 223 Kentucky Baptists in an attempt to measure maturity in discipleship and doctrine.
“We appreciate the honesty of these respondents, but we clearly have a long way to go in discipleship,” said McConnell of the findings.
McConnell shared key areas of concern, particularly regarding the basics of the Christian life. Only 46 percent of respondents read the Bible a few times a week or more, he said, and only 49 percent currently volunteer their time to serve in any capacity or role within their church.
In regards to evangelism, McConnell said the survey showed only 31 percent of respondents claimed to have intentionally spent time building friendships with non-Christians for the purpose of sharing Christ with them.
While 87 percent agree that it is every Christian’s responsibility to share the gospel with non-Christians, McConnell noted that figure “means one out of eight don’t believe they have a responsibility to share Christ with others.”
He also pointed out that only 49 percent of respondents disagreed with the statement that “Christians must continually work toward their salvation, or risk losing it,” and that 45 percent disagreed with the statement that “a person can obtain eternal life through religions other than Christianity.”
“These results are troubling,” said McConnell. “If you’re not willing to disagree on an anonymous survey, you’re not likely to disagree with your family or friends on these issues.”
McConnell offered several suggestions for churches and individuals seeking to improve their discipleship efforts. Immature believers often misunderstand or quietly disagree with specific beliefs in Scripture, so careful attention must be given to these individuals, he said.
“These are not issues we can solve by talking louder,” said McConnell. “We need to see people differently. We need to acknowledge there are people who don’t yet understand what we’re teaching.”
McConnell stressed the importance of intentional discipleship, noting that “we need to think of creative ways to give them [immature believers] a chance to express unbelief,” or to ask for clarification.
According to Gaddis, the KBC’s mission board staff will continue to address these areas of concern in the coming months and will seek to equip churches for more effective discipleship.
Also during the Wednesday morning session, Bill Mackey, executive director of the KBC, recognized outgoing convention officers. Those officers included Darren Gaddis, KBC president and pastor of Central Baptist Church in Corbin; Kevin Smith, KBC vice president and pastor of Watson Memorial Baptist Church; Chad Fugitt, second vice president and pastor of Chaplin Baptist Church.
Thanking Gaddis for his service as president the past year, Mackey praised Gaddis for his leadership at home, at church and throughout the convention.
“I appreciate him so much,” said Mackey. “We’re having probably one of the most spiritual and inspirational conventions ever, thanks to Darren’s leadership.”
Mackey also recognized the convention’s secretaries who will serve another term: secretary Wilma Simmons, who is a member of Big Spring Baptist Church in Ekron, and assistant secretary Mike Melloan, who is a member of Yellow Creek Baptist Church in Owensboro.
 Gaddis ceremoniously passed the gavel to newly-elected convention president Bill Henard, pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington.
“I’m going to make it part of my mission to encourage churches to lead people to Christ,” said Henard. “We need to be about the business of telling them about Jesus.”
Gaddis also recognized newly-elected vice president Jim Castlen, director of missions for the Three Forks Baptist Association and member of Big Creek Baptist Church in Hazard; and newly-elected second vice president Rick Reeder, director of missions for the Caldwell-Lyon Association.
Also on Wednesday morning, messengers and attendees had the opportunity to attend two of nine equipping workshops. In keeping with the annual meeting theme, “Empowering Believers in Missions,” the workshops focused on ways Kentucky Baptists can more effectively reach others for Christ.
At the open of the Wednesday morning session, 934 messengers were registered, bringing the total attendance to 1,203 for the convention.
release prepared by Kristie Randolph, KBC communications |
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