Exposing the Shallowness of SBC Evangelism: What Must I do to Receive FAITH®? (Part 1)
What Must I do to Receive FAITH®?
If evangelistic programs saved souls, Southern Baptists would have won the world to Christ many years ago. But programs, of course, don’t save souls.
The SBC’s “unofficial” evangelism strategy is FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy® which was developed by Dr. Bobby Welch.
What is the goal of FAITH®?
The goal of FAITH® is to turn its trainees into FAITH® GURUS.
The following conversation was recorded between a YoungFAITH® Apprentice and the FAITH® Master Guru . . .
The YoungFAITH®Apprentice asks FAITH® Master Guru, “What must I do to be a FAITH® GURU?”
The FAITH® Master Guru says, “Young grasshoppa (chinese accent) . . . you must enroll in myFAITH® School of Enlightenment!’ “
Young FAITH® Apprentice: What will the Faith School of Enlightenment cost me? . . . Is it free?
FAITH® Master Guru: “Young grasshoppa . . . don’t be so foolish! Do you not know that ‘Enlightenment is never free!’”
Editor’s Question: Is FAITH® a free gift?
The Biblical version of faith is free (Eph 2:8-9) . . . Yet Welch’s FAITH® will cost you.
Editor’s Comment: The FAITH® strategy is not FREE . . . it is MARKETED (that is why there is a® beside its name) . . . which means . . . if you are to become a FAITH® Master Guru you must cough up some green-backs. On top of that, you have the “option” to obtain your very own Distinguished FAITH® Master Guru Polo Shirt
Young FAITH® Apprentice: When will I become a FAITH® MASTER GURU?
FAITH® MASTER GURU: “Young grasshoppa . . . (chinese accent, again) you must learn to walk on rice papa before you can walk . . . Therefore, to become a FAITH® MASTER GURU, you must go through 16 sessions of training.”
Editor’s Note: It takes 16 sessions to become a faith “guru.” I have heard there is a good Jedi Knight Training School. I don’t even think it takes 16 sessions to become a Jedi Knight 
Chadwick’s Commentary:
Notice the FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy® is a marketed product.
● Is there anything recorded in the New Testament where the apostles “marketed” their evangelism strategies?
● Is there anything recorded in the New Testament where the apostles “charged” believers to “learn” their marketing technique? (Did the Apostle Paul get a 2-horsepowered Chariot, paint it up, and tour up and down the Roman interstate trying to “build the church”? . . . NAY, the Apostle Paul Preached the Gospel! He did not try to “Market” the Gospel!)
● Is there anything recorded in the New Testament where “disciples” had to attend “sessions” to be effective witnesses for Christ?
Let us examine the Scriptures to see how many “sessions” Jesus’ converts had to attend to become an “effective” evangelism witness.
Firstly, let us examine the woman at the well:
(John 4:28-29)
28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?(John 4:28-29)
● According to the Holy Writ, the Samaritan adulteress had only ONE “session” with Jesus before she was “able” and “qualified” to share her faith and went into the city to give her testimony.
Secondly, let us examine the demoniac possessed by a legion of demon:
(Mark 5:14-20)
14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.(Mark 5:14-20)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for the “witnesses” of the miracle to go to town to broadcast the news. (V14-17)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for the “former-demoniac” to become a “disciple at Jesus’ feet.” (V15)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for the “former-demoniac” to want to TOUR with Jesus! (V18)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for the “former-demoniac” to go home and witness to his family and friends! (V19-20)
Thirdly, let us examine the repentant thief crucified with Jesus:
(Luke 23:39-43)
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.(Luke 23:39-43)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for the repentant thief to become an “effective apologist” to “defend” Jesus’ Deity.(V40-41)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for the repentant thief to see himself as a wretched, hell-deserving sinner that didn’t deserve heaven.(V41)
Fourthly, let us examine Saul, the Christian-Killer:
(Acts 9)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. (Acts 9)
● It only took ONE “session” on the Damascus Road for Saul to proclaim Jesus as Lord. (V5)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for Saul to “learn” his instructions. (V6)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for Ananias to “learn” his instructions. (V10-17)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for Saul to “meet” with the disciples. (V19)
● It only took ONE “session” with Jesus for Saul to “preach Christ.” (V20)
● From Saul’s ONE “session” with Jesus his“presentation” was noticed by the crowd. (V21)
● From Saul’s ONE “session” with Jesus he “confounded the Jews” and “proved” Jesus is the Christ. (V22)
Fifthly, let us examine the “Philippian jailer”
(Acts 16:29-34)
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.(Acts 16:29-34)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer to “call for the light” (V29)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer to “tremble” (V29)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer to “humble himself” (V29)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer to “ASK THE PRESENTERS” the “diagnostic question”, rather than the “Presenters” ask him. (FAITH® teaches the “presenters” to ASK the questions.)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the “presenters” to “inform” the man that he was “already” saved (His salvation took place when he “called for the light”). Paul and Silas took “notice” of the jailers “repentant nature” of brokenness, fear, trembling, and desire to know how to be saved. Therefore, since he had exhibited fruits of repentance, they told him to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (For faith and repentance to be acted upon, a sinner must FIRST be quickened by the Holy Spirit.)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer and his family to be “equipped” to “comprehend” Theology. (V32)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer to “work for Jesus” by “ministering” to the men he had, hours before, beaten profusely. The jailer didn’t have to take sixteen “sessions” to “learn” how to “act like Christ.” The jailer started “working for Jesus” even BEFORE he was baptized. He exemplified true “fruit of salvation.” According to the FAITH® plan, all a person has to do to be baptized is to “correctly answer” the FAITH® diagnostic questions.
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer and his family to be baptized (V33)
● It only took ONE “session” orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for the jailer to “properly” execute “celebration time” . . . for he “rejoiced and believed in God with all his family.” (V34)
Chadwick’s Note: FAITH® GURUS must teach their apprentices how to have a “proper celebration time.” Reader, when the Holy Ghost quickens a dead sinner, we don’t need to be trained on how to celebrate! Celebration comes naturally!
ANYBODY that receives the “new birth” doesn’t need ANY “training sessions” to “learn” how to be “effective” and “evangelistic” Christians.
The apostles didn’t use “programs” or “ copyrighted strategies” to grow the church. They used and promoted a potent technique that can be described as “lifestyle evangelism” (holiness; Christ-like living) which can only be spawned by the NEW BIRTH.
The apostles realized that they cannot coin or trademark the “New Birth.” They acknowledged God’s Sovereignty in growing a church:
. . . the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.(Acts 2:47)
Notice that the Lord must add to the church . . . I wonder how many of the, so-called, 16+ million on the SBC roll has been added by the Lord? Or how many have been added by MAN?
Dr. Bobby Welch, the SBC’s previous president, stated:
“If you baptize a million in one year, you would move to a level of transformation that we would never go back again to where we used to be,”
Welch’s slogan: “Everyone Can” . . . Witness, Win, and Baptize ONE MILLION.
If the statistics of “inactive” SBC church members are correct, I must agree with Jim Eliff: I think MAN has added more to the SBC roll than the Lord.
Although organized programs can be beneficial, they can never replace lifestyle evangelism. The reason is because that type of evangelism permeates every area of a Christian’s life from the dinner table to the workplace. It applies to the housewife and to the shut-in.
● Notice that the FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy® is a copyrighted “reserved trademark.” Let’s call a spade a spade, FAITH® is just a rehashed version of EE (Evangelism Explosion®). As Solomon wisely stated, . . .there is no new thing under the sun.(Eccl 1:9). The reason why the SBC doesn’t promote EE is because it was designed by a “Calvinist.” 
● Though many persons copyright their programs, the Holy Ghost is the ONLY Author and Equipper of of the NEW BIRTH.
What Must I do to become a SBC Missionary?
Young grasshoppa YE MUST HAVE FAITH®:
Matt Stevens (South Carolina Pastor), a graduate of Criswell College, and current SEBTS student, quoted in my introductory blog on this series:
Chadwick, here’s a hollowpoint for your chamber-
After I finished 12 hours of Hebrew and Greek, 30 hours of evangelism and missions, and the other 87 hours of higher Christian education click here,
I considered joining up with the IMB, I called and talked to the precandidate screening person. After 20 minutes of “tell me about you and Jesus” I was asked “Do you have any education in evangelism?”, “Oh, Yes maam, my degree is in evangelism and missions, I studied world religions, emphasized Islam and Judaism, and even served short term overseas, I am trained in apologetics, and in Cult evangelism, I am comfortable teaching a group on evangelism, or aiding a pastor in developing a evangelistic strategy for His church and community…”.
“Well, Mr. Stevens, that all sounds very interesting, however, we at the IMB are primarily focused on being able to use the FAITH method. If you have not completed 12 week FAITH training, you will need to do so prior to being considered. However, If you have (18 week) EE certification, that may substitute for your evangelistic training.” Just have FAITH® brother….
There you have it!!! To be able to be an SBC missionary you must have the FAITH® from MAN rather than the FAITH from GOD . . . the faith of God’s elect!
Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1)
What must really be done for a person to have faith?
When Rolfe Barnard was preaching in Chattanooga, a bank manager came to hear him preach. Though the bank manager had gone to church all his life, he had no living relationship with Jesus Christ. But his heart was opened under Barnard’s preaching, and he went through agonies of conviction until the Lord gave him peace.
He then asked Barnard whether he should tell the people in the bank the next day that he had become a Christian. “No,” said Barnard, “Don’t tell anyone.”
A few days later, after the evening service, the bank manager came up to Barnard and gave him a hug.
“Let me tell you what happened today,” the bank manager said. “My private secretary has been with me for over thirty years. As I was dictating to her, her eyes brimmed with tears. She got to where she couldn’t see what she was writing. She said, ‘I just can’t do the work today,’ I said, ‘Is there anything troubling you?’
“She said, ‘Yes. Could I ask you a question? What’s happened to you?’”
His life was new. Salvation had made the bank manager a citizen of heaven, and the salvation showed in his life.
Chadwick
John 3:30
Tags: Exposing the Shallowness of SBC Evangelism, FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy®
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April 1, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Chadwick,in light of what you have shared our only hope in the SBC is a REFORMATION of Bible doctrine.Deut.32:2.My doctrine shall drop as the rain,my speech shall flow as the dew,as the small rain upon the tender herb,and as the showers upon the grass:Because I will publish the name of the Lord:ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
Bill Poore
April 1, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Mercy! Unfortunately these things do not surprise me.
April 1, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Bobby Welch has been named to the position of Strategist for Global Evangelical Relations with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee. Why do we need this? Is CP money going for this? Is he going to market FAITH oversea? I mean, REALLY! I guess since he wrote FAITH it qualifies him for this job.
I am sick of the alphabet soup of witnessing programs that have failed! One definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result.
April 1, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Hottubreligion:
. . . SBC evangelism is not about “Doctrine” . . . it’s about, “Do you know the right answers to our canned Faith presentation?”
Did you not know that “Doctrine” is a dirty word in the SBC.
We are the only denomination that has a “Confession of Faith” but never use it!
Brian:
You’re right, anything goes in the SBC . . . why don’t we see if Joel Osteen would be interested in running for SBC PREZ in 08?
Quinn:
“Alphabet Soup witnessing programs” LOL
I wonder if CP money went for Welch’s bus tour?
April 1, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Brian:
I have added you to my blog roll.
Chadwick
April 1, 2007 at 10:59 pm
I have done a dangerous thing!
I checked the Bible and no where in it when a person asked what must they do to be saved did the messenger stop and say,
“Excuse me for one moment as I check with my FAITH presentation.”
April 2, 2007 at 6:59 am
Quinn:
You are hillarious (LOL). . . You are so RIGHT: it truly is a “dangerous thing” when men read their Bibles!!!!
Chadwick
April 2, 2007 at 11:22 am
Let us Not forget the traditional answer to “What must I do to be saved?” Found in the Book of Hesitations 3:16, “And the immature believer replied, “just ask Jesus come com into your heart, that wil assure your place in heaven.” This is my biggest problem with canned evangelism, its all about “Get out of hell fast and into heaven free” The Gospel is now like UPS-”What can Jesus (brown) do for you?” “Just a sentence (click) away ” what of repentance, total parachute faith, and lordship? And finally why is SBC churches like Bud Light? “Great taste-less filling?”
April 2, 2007 at 12:20 pm
matthewstevens:
You are giving me some good “illustrations” for my next few posts in my series!
Praise God . . . I pray that every Southern Baptist will see the shallowness of “Canned Evangelism.”
I know this series will not make me the most likeable person (at least from the SBC “Popery”), but, neither did the popery like Luther when he nailed his blog on the door of Wittenburg.
April 6, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Just recently began the the FAITH training and from the very first lesson, something didn’t square up in my Spirit. I prayed that Holy Spirit would show me if I had a “negative heart attitude” or lack of a teachable spirit (I’ve always prayed that I would have a teachable spirit as long as there was breath in me). In talking with a close friend, I shared that I was unsettled but couldn’t quiet pinpoint the uneasiness after the very first lesson and that I needed to talk with someone whom I could really trust. That person has yet to be revealed to me, and the uneasiness still persists. You see, the Lord has placed me in service as a lay leader for youth in missions and that’s the portal that He has led me through in service, evangelism and ministry over the years. Through training, diligent study, equipping and facilitating youth and commitment and obedience to “go” over the years, I felt that FAITH was somewht at odds with my understanding of the “Biblical baisis for missions”. In searching the internet for some sort of feedback both negative and positive in the strategy to help dispel my heart attitude or else affirm me. Needless to say, there was nothing negative and I was becoming even more unsettled in thinking that I had a real problem with my heart attitidute, and then I finally came across your site! I am in agreement with your point of view and some of the comments for they do ring of truth in my Spirit and I sense that God has affirmed the reason for this uneasiness. I feel that I can go on with it now knowing that something for our church is really better than nothing, and this is what our pastor has decided to use for our church. Thank you for your insight and willinginess to stand alone even if it means being opposed to what nearly 100% of the others are in favor of.
April 6, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Sheila,
I am glad my studies were of value to you.
Stay tuned in . . . I still have a few more “upcoming”posts exposing the shallowness of FAITH®.
Blessings,
Chadwick
April 8, 2007 at 7:44 am
Wow, all I can say is wow.
I wasn’t aware that this was the “new” thing at the board. I guess when we went through it was CWT or EE.
I guess I’m not surprised.
It doesn’t end after you’re appointed. We still have “methods” we’re told to use; most recently T4T. We’ve really been impressed the last year or more to really seek what GOD’s Word says and not man. We’re still working through all the ramifications of that with regard to our work. Are there some conflicts with the methods we’re told to use and God’s word? In our opinion, sometimes yes.
Looking forward to reading more of what you come up with….
April 9, 2007 at 8:23 am
imb m (lady),
Thanks for your interest in my article! I will keep you in my prayers that the Lord will use you to reach many, who are in darkness, with God’s glorious light.
May the Lord bless you with a fruitful week as you minister in the “kingdom of darkness.”
Chadwick
John 3:30
October 17, 2007 at 11:28 am
Chadwick,
I found this page when I was searching Google for pictures of Jedi Knights. I read on, and I’m so glad that you’re not one of those wolves looking to make a quick buck off of believers and searchers. I was really encouraged to see that you too believe that all the information required to get saved is in the Bible, and that it’s free. Even Paul refused to take compensation for his ministry if he thought it would be a stumbling block to some people. Too bad the SBC and their “faith gurus” can’t take their cue from him.
Keep fighting the good fight, my brother. As it says in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Best,
Grahame
June 5, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Thank you for exposing the serious errors of sbc evangelism. I am apalled at the emphasis on Power Teams, Festivals, Skate-boarding, busting concrete, snapping baseball bats, horse whispherers, etc. The Apostle Paul did not use an “ant to eat a bale of hay” to get his point across. God deliver us from this circus that’s in our SB associations.
June 6, 2008 at 8:06 am
Chris,
Your evaluation is right on target. I pray that the Lord will use you greatly, where you are, to glorify Him with the same and unchanging God-centered Gospel that Paul preached. Because Paul’s Gospel was ’so plain’ and had no gimmicks, the multitudes labeled it as “foolishness.” Yet to those who are being saved, by the foolishness of God-centered/no gimmick preaching, it is the power of God.
chadwick