By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications PHOENIX (BP) - New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley greeted convention delegates with a good news/bad news scenario in his seminary presentation at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Wednesday, June 14. "Are you ready for some good news?" Kelley asked. "Today, we are 100 years old at NOBTS." Centennial events launch Oct. 3 with special activities and emphases on campus and at extension centers continuing throughout the year. But the NOBTS 100th birthday celebration must not be like any other celebration, Kelley said, "because of the present state of the Southern Baptist Convention." Kelley referenced findings by the NOBTS Leavell Center for Church Growth and Evangelism on the continued decline in baptisms in Southern Baptist churches. Presenting a chart of the findings to messengers, Kelley called the statistics "stunning." Kelley said church plants are "absolutely essential" but the drop in baptisms demands Southern Baptists' attention, with the NOBTS centennial being no exception. "We need to celebrate in a way that will strengthen our seminary and our churches," Kelley said, issuing a challenge … [Read more...]