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Bad news for the Southern Baptist Church. One leading research group is officially declaring the denomination in decline. Read details here. An excerpt:

“This report is truly disheartening," said [Tom] Rainer. "Total membership showed a slight decline. Baptisms have now declined for three consecutive years and for seven of the last eight years, and are at their lowest level since 1987. Indeed, the total baptisms are among the lowest reported since 1970. We are a denomination that, for the most part, has lost its evangelistic passion."

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