New Orleans, August 16, 2007
Each year, new incoming students at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary are treated to one of the most impactful days of their seminary careers - Orientation. For some, it is a brand new experience. For others, it's just another day freezing to death in a large church-like building. But for the rare few, it is a chance to hear the latest update on everyone's favorite survey data: 80% of Baptist churches are potbellied and reclining.
Long thought to be a problem for other denominations in which one's vices are less controlled, the potbelly, some times known as the "beer belly" or "the keg," is rapidly overtaking Baptists at an alarming rate. Just three years ago, this number was at only 70%. One of the leading causes of the potbelly is kicking back in the favorite chair and watching NASCAR for three hours on Sunday afternoons.
"The Bible says I should rest on Sundays," explained one church goer. "If it was good enough for God, then it's good enough for me."
Among the more viable solutions presented to combat the potbellying and reclining was to remove pews from Baptist churches and have members stand during services. "Not only would this help solve the reclining problem," said one Mississippi pastor, "but it means more people will be awake for my sermons."
The Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health conducts many surveys each year. Dr. David Meacham, one of the Center's staffers, was not available for comment as he was not contacted concerning this article.
Each year, new incoming students at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary are treated to one of the most impactful days of their seminary careers - Orientation. For some, it is a brand new experience. For others, it's just another day freezing to death in a large church-like building. But for the rare few, it is a chance to hear the latest update on everyone's favorite survey data: 80% of Baptist churches are potbellied and reclining.
Long thought to be a problem for other denominations in which one's vices are less controlled, the potbelly, some times known as the "beer belly" or "the keg," is rapidly overtaking Baptists at an alarming rate. Just three years ago, this number was at only 70%. One of the leading causes of the potbelly is kicking back in the favorite chair and watching NASCAR for three hours on Sunday afternoons.
"The Bible says I should rest on Sundays," explained one church goer. "If it was good enough for God, then it's good enough for me."
Among the more viable solutions presented to combat the potbellying and reclining was to remove pews from Baptist churches and have members stand during services. "Not only would this help solve the reclining problem," said one Mississippi pastor, "but it means more people will be awake for my sermons."
The Leavell Center for Evangelism and Church Health conducts many surveys each year. Dr. David Meacham, one of the Center's staffers, was not available for comment as he was not contacted concerning this article.
No comments:
Post a Comment