Like people, churches are born, they live, and they die. Such has been the case since the earliest days of Christianity. So, the death of one local congregation in a city with numerous churches might not be particularly noteworthy. And yet, because each local church is a full manifestation of the body of Christ, significant is the death of any one church.
And so it is that we mourn the passing of Beaumont’s South Park Baptist Church. South Park was founded August 12, 1926, and quickly grew into one of the leading churches in what is now the Golden Triangle Baptist Network. By 1955 the church engaged more than 500 worshipers every week, baptizing more than 100 new believers in multiple years and planting two additional churches in nearby neighborhoods. This was their peak.
By the ‘60s South Park Church entered a season of decline that, while occasionally slowing, never abated. Today the church remains a legal entity; but, with one remaining member, it’s effectively closed. With no resources available to secure the massive facility, the building sits abandoned, subject to the elements and whomever seeks to scavenge the remains.
How does this happen? Our Lord continues to reign. Across the world the gospel advances as the Great Commission remains in effect. So the problem cannot be with the gospel. It must be the members’ response.
Communities constantly change, often slowly but definitely. And the best time for advancing the gospel amid the change comes early, before decline sets in and resources diminish. At that point, the church can give their full energy to reaching people of their community, making disciples who will carry the gospel forward. The question every congregation must ask is, “Do we love our church as we know it, or do we love the Lord who calls us?”
South Park missed their opportunity and now, with resources depleted, there are no good options. GTBN continues our work to prevent the property from becoming a long-term blight on the community, pursuing a solution that will potentially not only eliminate the blight but preserve a sound gospel witness. But South Park’s outcome was not inevitable.
The GTBN has a team of trained pastor / consultants ready to assist your church to discover your best next steps for fruitful ministry to the Lord’s glory. The sooner a church reaches out, the more options they have. So let’s work together, that each local church might stand faithful before our Lord.
Bro. Jim