Southern Baptist Convention

Southern Baptist Convention, largest Baptist association. The organization was established in Georgia (1845) by Baptists in the southern states who differed in opinion with northern Baptists on the question of slavery. Theologically more conservative than other Baptist conventions, and more centralized, the Southern Baptist Convention, in part to maintain that conservatism, developed extensive missions, schools, colleges, seminaries, hospitals, and specialized homes of its own. The convention now has over 37,000 churches, and is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

See also: Baptists.