Increasing the number of baptisms: two questions.

"Why aren't there more baptisms in America's churches?

Reputable polling and research organizations such as Barna, PEW and Lifeway confirm that the total number of baptisms continues to decline in the United States, extending a trend that dates back to the late 1900's. 

An analysis of the statistics for Southern Baptist churches shows that the decline is even worse than it appears.  Of the approximately 250,000 baptisms among SBC churches in 2017, about 100,000 were re-baptisms of those who were baptized in a Baptist church as a child. And the largest age group for the remaining baptisms was children under the age of 10. If the number of baptisms of adult non-family members is the best indicator of a church that is faithfully carrying out the Great Commission to Go into the World and Make Disciples, then very few churches are healthy. Most churches bury more people each year than they baptize. We are not reaching the lost world, and in fact, are not even reaching a majority of our own children.

Since the 1970's, we have experienced the Conservative Resurgence, the Great Commission emphasis and Church Renewal Journey. But, surveys show that approximately 300,000 churches of the 350,000 churches in America are not growing. 

Thom Rainer, in a recent blog, predicted that 100,000 of the 350,000 churches in the U.S. will close their doors in the next few years. Another 100,000 will merge with other churches and 100,000 will revitalize within their existing church membership.

The question "Why aren't there more baptisms?" is an honest one, and several books have been written during the last 20 years to answer the question. A commission to study the reason for declining baptisms was appointed at the 2016 annual meeting of the SBC and made its report this past June. And there are several excellent consultants that will teach a church how to grow - for a fee. 

I think the answer to "Why?" is much simpler than we think: baptisms continue to decline because believers, those of us who are disciples, are not sharing the gospel in our everyday marketplace. The only plan found in the Bible for advancing the Kingdom of God is for existing disciples to make new disciples by sharing the gospel with unbelievers in their everyday marketplace - wherever God has placed us.

The second question: "Why aren't disciples sharing the gospel?" We give many excuses, but I think the answer again is simple: we have lost our (first) love for God. Because we have lost our love for Him, we don't fear Him; because we have lost our fear for Him, we don't need Him; because we don't need Him there is no need to obey Him. 

We will never grow the church (advance the kingdom of God) until we love God with all our heart mind and soul. When we love God, we will obey Him. When we obey Him, we will share the gospel. When we share the gospel, those who have been convicted by the Holy Spirit will be saved. When people are saved, they will be baptized and join (or plant) a church.