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 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 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 ValleyBaptist 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 much smaller list will likely serve you well. And, “doing your homework” will help address other Baptist denominations which may have a 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 Church Something 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 voluntary National Conventions State Conventions Local Associations Districts

Association State Convention Southern Baptist Convention A 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 Financial Services (Annuity) Woman’s Missionary Union (Aux)

Association State Convention Southern Baptist Convention A 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 Good Shepherd Recognition Association of Baptists for Scouting Consult websites for specific Baptist denominations

Thank you!