Latest news with #SBC-affiliated
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SBC reports 259,000-member loss. What's new about this now-predictable trend.
There were 259,824 fewer members in the nation's largest Protestant denomination in 2024 and 30 fewer churches. For the Southern Baptist Convention, it marks the latest in a now-predictable trend of year-over-year decline, even as new events are contributing to the losses. Amid 18 consecutive years of declining membership for the Nashville-based denomination, a still unresolved doctrinal fight about women pastors is pushing out megachurches in rapid succession and agitating a tension between size versus belief. The newest SBC census, called the annual church profile, found total membership in 2024 at 12.7 million and total churches at 46,876, according to a report published April 30. In just a few weeks the convention will gather in Dallas for the 2025 SBC annual meeting and is expected to deliberate over convention finances and an ongoing debate about Southern Baptist doctrinal belief and convention governance. Messengers, as voting delegates are known, have debated at recent SBC annual meetings whether to enshrine a ban on women pastors. That legislative endeavor has so far failed, but the discourse has effectively yielded the same outcome that proponents of the ban desire. Three key megachurches — Saddleback Church in Southern California, Elevation Church in North Carolina, and NewSpring Church in South Carolina — exited the convention since in 2023. NewSpring left just a few weeks ago. All three churches consistently rank as the top 100 largest U.S. churches, according to Outreach 100, a survey administered by the SBC-affiliated Lifeway. The recent news of NewSpring's departure revived discourse among Southern Baptists about whether it's more important for the SBC to maintain its size — a key factor in how the denomination exerts wider influence across U.S. politics and culture — versus its commitment to certain theological tenets. Texas pastor Tom Buck said it's always disappointing when the SBC loses members, but he's also not mourning the loss of churches that don't align with the convention's doctrinal beliefs. 'I don't celebrate the numbers getting smaller. Whether the number gets smaller or if it gets larger in a sense is irrelevant to me,' Buck said in an interview. 'It's faithfulness and fidelity to what we believe is what makes us Southern Baptist.' Buck is a leading voice among an opposition conservative faction in the SBC, which has sought to pull the convention further to the right, and championed calls to oust churches that employ women pastors. Megachurches aren't the only casualties in this fight over women pastors and Southern Baptist governance. But the rapid succession of three important ones raises questions about their ability to ensure cohesion among a set of large and theologically diverse group of parishioners. Buck said it's not a coincidence and is a consequence of megachurches softening certain stances to appeal to a wider audience. 'Do megachurches have a tendency to be less careful about doctrine? I think the answer to that is yes. That's not the fault of the SBC,' Buck said. 'Does that mean the SBC doesn't want megachurches or would like to see us become smaller churches? No, the bottom line is what we want is theological fidelity.' Buck's attitude is shared across the SBC, including allies in this opposition conservative faction, those who are typically Buck's opponents on certain SBC political debates, and SBC President Clint Pressley. There are still plenty megachurches affiliated with the SBC, including ones that are known for fiercely right-wing political and theological views. There are 17 churches on the list of top 100 largest U.S. churches that are Southern Baptist. Despite its latest losses, the SBC is still the nation's largest Protestant denomination by a longshot. Pew Research Center reported in its comprehensive Religious Landscape Study in February that 4.4% of U.S. adults are Southern Baptist, and that the next largest group is United Methodist at 2.2% of U.S. adults. Other key takeaways from new annual church profile statistical findings: $469.3 million drop in overall revenue to the SBC Cooperative Program, a budget that is supported by church giving and benefits various SBC ministries. 6.7% increase in average weekly attendance at Southern Baptist churches, or about 253,957 more weekly worshippers in 2024 from previous year. Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at ladams@ or on social media @liamsadams. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Southern Baptist Convention reports 259,000-member loss in new census
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SBC Medical Accelerates Multi-Brand Strategy with ‘SBC NEO Skin Clinic' Expansion
TOKYO, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shonan Beauty Clinic, supported by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (Nasdaq: SBC) ("SBC Medical," or the "Company") in management services, today announced the expansion of its multi-brand strategy as part of its long-term growth plan. As part of this initiative, Shonan Beauty Clinic, an SBC-affiliated entity, will open "SBC NEO Skin Clinic Ebisu" on April 2, 2025 (tentative). Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Shonan Beauty Clinic operates Japan's largest aesthetic medical network, setting industry benchmarks through its high-cost performance and advanced medical expertise. In line with its vision to make cutting-edge aesthetic treatments more accessible and affordable, the Company has launched a new clinic brand, "SBC NEO Skin Clinic." This brand is dedicated to non-invasive aesthetic dermatology, leveraging state-of-the-art laser devices and dermatological treatments highly regarded in South Korea and Western markets. By adopting a customized treatment approach, "SBC NEO Skin Clinic" aims to expand the advanced skincare market and offer tailored solutions to diverse customer needs, strengthening SBC's market position and diversifying its revenue base. Expansion of Market Opportunities through New Business DevelopmentAs the aesthetic medical market continues to mature, SBC Medical is actively advancing a multi-branding strategy to address increasingly segmented consumer needs. "SBC NEO Skin Clinic" represents a strategic shift from conventional surgical aesthetic procedures to non-invasive dermatological treatments, unlocking new growth opportunities within SBC's business model. The brand is also positioned to capture demand from consumers who previously sought aesthetic treatments abroad, particularly in South Korea, by providing comparable advanced skincare solutions domestically. By combining short-term effectiveness with long-term maintenance solutions, the new brand aims to attract a broader customer base. Furthermore, SBC Medical will enhance its competitive advantage by swiftly integrating the latest technological advancements, ensuring its business model remains adaptable to evolving market needs. Strengthening Business Foundations for Sustainable GrowthFollowing its Nasdaq listing in September 2024, SBC Medical is accelerating its efforts to expand its global presence through new brand development and diversified business portfolios. Through this initiative, the Company remains committed to fulfilling its corporate purpose: "Enhancing people's well-being through medical innovation." SBC Medical will continue to pursue sustainable business growth while enhancing shareholder value and strengthening its position as a leader in the global aesthetic medical industry. About SBC MedicalSBC Medical, headquartered in Irvine, California and Tokyo, Japan, owns and provides management services and products to cosmetic treatment centers. The Company is primarily focused on providing comprehensive management services to franchisee clinics, including but not limited to advertising and marketing needs across various platforms (such as social media networks), staff management (such as recruitment and training), booking reservations for franchisee clinic customers, assistance with franchisee employee housing rentals and facility rentals, construction and design of franchisee clinics, medical equipment and medical consumables procurement (resale), the provision of cosmetic products to franchisee clinics for resale to clinic customers, licensure of the use of patent-pending and non-patented medical technologies, trademark and brand use, IT software solutions (including but not limited to remote medical consultations), management of the franchisee clinic's customer rewards program (customer loyalty point program), and payment tools for the franchisee more information, visit SBC NEO Skin Clinic： Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts or statements of current conditions, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events and performance, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to, among other things, the Company's product launch plans and strategies; growth in revenue and earnings; and business prospects. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'may,' 'should,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'contemplates,' 'estimates,' 'believes,' 'plans,' 'projected,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' 'targets' or 'hopes' or the negative of these or similar terms. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, assumptions, or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them; such factors include, among other things, changes in global, regional, or local economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, and those listed under the heading 'Risk Factors' and elsewhere in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), which are accessible on the SEC's website at ContactsSBC Medical Group Holdings IncorporatedHikaru Fukui / Head of Investor Relationse-mail: ir@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Full federal investigation into sex abuse in SBC ends with no additional criminal charges
A historic federal investigation into sexual abuse within the nation's largest Protestant denomination is officially over after yielding just one conviction. The U.S. Department of Justice notified the Southern Baptist Convention it's not pursuing additional criminal charges against the convention or SBC-affiliated agencies, called entities. The news confirms earlier speculation surrounding the conclusion of a case last week when a federal judge in Manhattan sentenced former Southern Baptist pastor and seminary professor Matt Queen, who pleaded guilty to lying to federal authorities. But some abuse survivors and allies' hope for more serious criminal proceedings evaporated with the news of the inquiry's official conclusion. The SBC Executive Committee, which manages business for the Nashville-based denomination outside the two-day SBC annual meeting, confirmed the news in response to a request for comment. 'We're grateful that we can close this chapter in our legal proceedings and move forward,' Jeff Iorg, chief executive for the SBC Executive committee, said in a statement Wednesday. One of the likeliest charges to apply in this scenario would have dealt with racketeering, commonly referred to as a RICO case — an abbreviation for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Unless there was trafficking across state lines, the prosecution of most incidents of clergy sex abuse is under the jurisdiction of state attorneys general or local district attorneys. A May 2022 report from third-party investigator Guidepost Solutions on cover-up and neglect by top Southern Baptist leaders prompted the DOJ to pursue an investigation across the denomination and its 11 major entities, which are based in different states. But the SBC's hierarchy — local churches, regional associations and state conventions are autonomous and voluntary partners with the national convention — long presented a dilemma for a RICO prosecution, for example. 'Churches must remain vigilant,' Megan Lively, an abuse survivor whom the FBI interviewed as part of the DOJ investigation, said in a statement Wednesday. 'A report from the DOJ does not automatically make your church safe.' Explainer early on: What it means for the Southern Baptist Convention to be under federal investigation for abuse The SBC Executive Committee announced 18 months after the federal investigation began in August 2022 the administrative entity was no longer a target of the DOJ investigation, sowing confusion among survivors who said FBI agents were reassuring them an inquiry remained underway. Soon after, U.S. attorneys announced charges against Queen related to a January 2023 incident at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where Queen was an interim administrator. The incident involved another seminary administrator named Heath Woolman instructing dean Terri Stovall to destroy evidence containing information about an abuse report. Queen later lied about what he witnessed Woolman tell Stovall. Federal prosecutors did not pursue charges against Woolman, despite questions about whether Woolman's reported actions violated a grand jury subpoena requiring SBC entities' staff to retain documents containing information about abuse reports. With the DOJ concluding its investigation, it also means that subpoena is closed. Although the DOJ inquiry is now over, the fact the investigation happened in the first place was historically significant. Though state attorneys general have launched inquiries into sex abuse in the Catholic Church, federal prosecutors have never investigated a major religious denomination for the same reason. Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at ladams@ or on social media @liamsadams. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: DOJ inquiry into SBC abuse ends with no additional criminal charges
