Ridgecrest, USA — Almost 30 percent of recent graduates of Southern Baptist seminaries who became church pastors say they are Calvinists, according to a survey by the denomination.
Among all Southern Baptist pastors, only about 10 percent follow Calvinism, according to studies by the SBC's Lifeway Research and North American Mission Board Center for Missional Research.
"It would be difficult to say that Calvinism is not a growing influence in SBC life," said Ed Stetzer, director of Lifeway Research.
The findings were released at a Southern Baptist meeting on theology in November. The 16.3 million-member SBC is the largest Protestant group in the U.S.
Some Southern Baptist leaders worry that embracing Calvinism will erode enthusiasm for evangelizing non-Christians because, among other beliefs, Calvinism teaches that God chooses whom to save. Critics say that takes away from the urgency of getting individuals to accept Jesus Christ into their lives.