NASHVILLE (BP) – After more than two decades of affiliation, Elevation Church in Matthews, N.C., says they no longer desire to cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The church informed the SBC Executive Committee of their decision by letter dated June 26.
The letter shared with Baptist Press did not state a specific reason the church reached the decision.
“You will find that our Statement of Beliefs on our website is very much in line with the Baptist Faith and Message – we have no intention of changing those core beliefs,” the statement said.
The church said the letter posted below will be the church’s only public comments.
“We have no plans to make a public announcement on this decision – we have too much to do in reaching a world that needs the love of Jesus,” said the statement.
Elevation last submitted an Annual Church Profile in 2021. They reported an average worship attendance of 10,185 and reported 1,725 baptisms. They reported giving $10,000 through the Cooperative Program and receiving $103,296,704 in total receipts.
The church said they looked forward to partnering with “many SBC churches in the coming years.”
“We would like to thank the Southern Baptists for the privilege of partnering with you, especially through the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina for nearly two decades,” the statement said.
An official with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina told the Biblical Recorder that a representative from the church informed them that “this letter applies to the state convention and local association” as well.
The following is the full text of the letter from Elevation Church:
We would like to thank the Southern Baptists for the privilege of partnering with you, especially through the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina for nearly two decades.
This letter is to inform you that Elevation Church is withdrawing its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention effective immediately. You will find that our Statement of Beliefs on our website is very much in line with the Baptist Faith and Message – we have no intention of changing those core beliefs.
We have no plans to make a public announcement on this decision – we have too much to do in reaching a world that needs the love of Jesus. Should your Credentials Committee decide to make this decision by Elevation public, we will only respond with a copy of this letter in anyone inquiring about the notification.
Thank you again for the privilege of having been affiliated with the SBC all these years. Please know that our withdrawal from affiliation in no way means that we will withdraw from praying for you and your ministries and mission work in the future – we are all on the same side! We pray that we will continue to be able to work alongside many SBC churches in the coming years. We know there is much we can do more effectively in partnership than we can do alone. May God bless the SBC and her churches in the years ahead.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – The Biblical Recorder contributed to this report.)
