Date Founded: 1845
Membership/Number of Clergy: 16,136,044/121,989 as of 2010
Headquarters: 901 Commerce St., Nashville, TN 37203
Schools & Seminaries: Colleges are affiliated with the state conventions. See a list of colleges and universities. Only seminaries are affiliated with the national convention. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Publications: SBC Life
Website: http://www.sbc.net
Social Media: Each part of the SBC family uses it's own social media outlets.
Core Beliefs: "A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ [baptism by immersion in water and the Lord's Supper], governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture." See the Basic Beliefs for a fuller list of beliefs.
Short History: Split from the original American Baptist Association in 1845 over the issue of slavery. "By doctrine and polity, the SBC cannot and does not unite local congregations into a single legal denominational body. Each cooperating Baptist body -- local church, association, state convention, and auxiliary -- retains its sovereignty and is fully autonomous."
Local Churches: There are 163 SBC churches in Louisville. Two close to campus are St. Matthews Baptist Church, 3515 Grandview Avenue, Louisville, KY 40207, and Deer Park Baptist Church, 1733 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40205. Use ChurchSearch to find other SBC churches in your area.
Each part of the SBC family uses it's own symbol and individual churches will display their own logo.