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The '''Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)''' is the largest organization of [[Baptists]] in the world, the second-largest denomination in the United States (behind Roman Catholicism) and the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.

The '''Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)''' is the largest organization of [[Baptists]] in the world, the second-largest denomination in the United States (behind Roman Catholicism) and the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.

It has over 16 million members in 42,000 churches across America, with greatest strength in the South.<ref>There are four other national denominations (excluding [[Independent Baptist]]s who do not organize into formal denominations): [[American Baptist Churches USA|American Baptist Churches]] (strongest in the North), National Baptist Convention (African Americans, strong in the South and northern cities), the Conservative Baptist Association, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention (a more liberal body of African Americans, strong in the South and northern cities).</ref> It also sponsors 10,000 missionaries in 157 countries. It holds 41 state conventions and one national convention annually, and in recent years it tends to identify with [[Conservative Christianity|conservative Christian]] values and supports Biblical [[inerrancy]].  Insistence on baptism by immersion, as it is presented in the Bible, fulfills the twin symbolism of washing from sin and of death and rebirth, as well as pointing to the Baptists' conviction that Scripture is the complete and sufficient basis of the Christian faith, and is also mandatory to become a church member.  

It has over 16 million members in 42,000 churches across America, with greatest strength in the South.<ref>There are four other national denominations (excluding [[Independent Baptist]]s who do not organize into formal denominations): [[American Baptist Churches USA|American Baptist Churches]] (strongest in the North), National Baptist Convention (African Americans, strong in the South and northern cities), the Conservative Baptist Association, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention (a more liberal body of African Americans, strong in the South and northern cities).</ref> It also sponsors 10,000 missionaries in 157 countries. It holds 41 state conventions and one national convention annually, and in recent years it tends to identify with [[Conservative Christianity|conservative Christian]] values and supports Biblical [[inerrancy]].  Insistence on baptism by immersion, as it is presented in the Bible, fulfills the twin symbolism of washing from sin and of death and rebirth, as well as pointing to the Baptists' conviction that Scripture is the complete and sufficient basis of the Christian faith, and (in the more traditional congregations) is also mandatory to become a church member.  

Leonard (2000) explores the bitter internal divisions within the SBC since 1979. Conflict between fundamentalist and  moderate factions at the national level has continued to impact state conventions, Baptist associations, and local congregations. Important recent changes include the establishment of relationships with Independent Baptists and other ethnic and racial groups, the emergence of mega-churches with very powerful ministers and multimillion-dollar budgets (and which often downplay any ties they may have to the denomination), the reorganization of stewardship programs, and the founding of new theological schools.<ref>Bill J. Leonard, "Baptists in the South: a New Connectionalism." ''American Baptist Quarterly'' 2000 19(3): 208-221.</ref>   

Leonard (2000) explores the bitter internal divisions within the SBC since 1979. Conflict between fundamentalist and  moderate factions at the national level has continued to impact state conventions, Baptist associations, and local congregations. Important recent changes include the establishment of relationships with Independent Baptists and other ethnic and racial groups, the emergence of mega-churches with very powerful ministers and multimillion-dollar budgets (and which often downplay any ties they may have to the denomination), the reorganization of stewardship programs, and the founding of new theological schools.<ref>Bill J. Leonard, "Baptists in the South: a New Connectionalism." ''American Baptist Quarterly'' 2000 19(3): 208-221.</ref>