When More Progressive Leadership Takes Over Conservative Churches

Jon Harris has a great article at American Reformer that discusses the phenomenon of progressive forces within the Southern Baptist Convention taking over conservative churches and remaking them. He cites certain high profile examples; but this doubtless has occurred in various ways at other churches nationwide and here in North Carolina:

I will excerpt from his article heavily:

Church members described tactics that included silencing dissent, rebranding ministries, and redefining theological language—all with the goal of aligning churches with more progressive cultural values…

These were not isolated events but part of a broader, coordinated push connected with the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination…It is about remaking churches from the inside out—gutting their traditions, weakening their communities, and converting them into sterile, modern, and pliable social centers.

What we are witnessing is nothing short of an assault on the identity of American Christianity…

This is not just an ideological skirmish—it is a strategic campaign backed by powerful, well-funded institutions with grand ambitions…

In each case, the changes began with the arrival of a new pastor and the influence of individuals tied to Southern Baptist networks. Where once there were caring, personable pastors attuned to congregants’ needs, younger leaders arrived with modern formulas for church growth and diversity. Predictably, each church shrank as more involved and long-standing members left. Yet, the new leadership seemed unalarmed, often viewing these members as threats to their agenda. Shifts in church governance also left these members without recourse…

Ultimately, legacy ministries were dismantled, existing leadership was replaced… Things like Sunday School, Bible study, and small groups—core elements of community—were radically altered to fit novel approaches. Older members, in particular, felt disregarded as a more casual ministry style took hold…

Social justice themes also emerged… Members opposing various shifts faced severe marginalization, including unfair loss of voting rights and labels like “racist” or “divisive.” Financial improprieties surfaced, too…

In essence, the pattern seems clear: install new leadership with ties to larger institutions bent on revolutionizing the church, centralize control among loyalists, hire outside “experts” to reinforce the vision, erase the church’s prior identity, push the new agenda rapidly, and silence dissent.

The most unsettling part in all of this is wondering how many churches have been destroyed or fundamentally altered without making headlines…

If all this is true, it suggests the managerial revolution has come to more than just megachurches, but also impacts smaller congregations. For some communities, local churches are the last non-corporate entities, yet mass-produced, one-size-fits-all formulas are being imposed by innovative young leaders sold on a new vision. The loss of traditional churches—steeples, hymns, choirs, formality, and old ministries—erodes regional character and a vital refuge from market forces. Unless congregations are engaged and resist these efforts, this heritage, too, may vanish.