Baptist Revival

We need to know how we have gotten to this place in thehistory of Christianity, as Baptists. What sacrifices have been madeby Baptists that have shaped our distinct identity today.It is my concern that many of these cherished teachings may beforgotten, in a rush to not turn off people by teaching doctrines forwhom many have fought and even died. I believe it will cost us bigtime,if we lose our identity and forget from where we have come. I am not for preservation, however; as much as I am for fresh truththat will invigorate and give new life to churches, where there is stalenessand where churches have plateaued or are dying.When we know our beliefs and proclaim them boldly, God canuse these truths to bring revival to churches in a way we have not seenpossible before. We will see revival become reality, if we will study andproclaim the truths that have made us great.The real objective of this work is to help those who havetaken Baptist beliefs so lightly and loosely. In doing so, I want themto know we not only have a biblical faith, but that we are very clearon why that faith is biblical.The next generation of pastors, church leaders, and churcheswill be faced with serious doctrinal questions and challenges.Since we live in a pragmatic culture, the pressure is on us to usewhatever works in church. We need to be all things to all people thatwe might save some (I Corinthians 9:22); but also we need to standfor something, so we affirm not only do we believe truth, but aretransformed by it. We should be moved by our convictions and wantfuture generations to see these truths have made us what we are.