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A Rope of Sand

Discussion in 'Baptist History' started by Salty, Jun 30, 2013.

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  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Yes, many have chosen to copoperate - some in a "denomination" ( I use quotes since no organization has authority over a local Baptist church) Some choose to financially support common missionaries, some choose to respect the recommendation of other ( ie Bible schools listed in the Sword of the Lord). But the bottom line is that as an independent Baptist (not Independent Baptist) church; we may leave said "denomination" drop mission support, disregard recommendations and ect.

    This is the reason Baptist statesman James L. Sullivan told us Baptists have been know to be united as a "Rope of Sand with the Strength of Steel" See the article of "Baptists and Voluntary Cooperation"

    So do you think that local churches affiliated with the the SBC, ABC, GARBC, CBA, ect are
    independent?
     
    #1 Salty, Jun 30, 2013
  2. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    For our new members who would like to chime in
     
    #2 Salty, Oct 8, 2014
  3. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I have only been a member of SBC churches, and it is clear that they are independent. I know many criticize the SBC churches as being tied to the SBC...but it is a tie by choice and one that does not bind. I have always thought other Baptists churches were also independent (it was, after all, part of what defined Baptists)...but I do not know that this is the case for every Baptist denomination.
     
    #3 JonC, Oct 8, 2014
  4. DMorgan

    DMorgan Member

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    Purely personal opinion, but i think the SBC leadership nationally has grown to the point of having too much influence at the local church level. I have never understood why we, as Southern Baptists, allowed the national SBC to become so large and beuracratic. I understand the need for cooperation with missionary functions, but the rest of it, i.e. lifeway et al seems opposed to the independent nature of Baptist congregations. Maybe we just wanted our own Vatican? Probably should have stopped at state level associations.
     
    #4 DMorgan, Oct 18, 2015
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    It was George Whitefield who first used the term in a message preached September 29, 1770 in Exeter, New Hampshire. It is amazing how an off the cuff expression can become of such significance in our modern lives. :)
     
    #5 TCassidy, Oct 20, 2015
  6. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    The national convention has only as much influence at the local level as the local church allows. Our church pretty much ignores the national convention. We do participate in the Lottie Moon offering, but we give more to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions than we do to the Lottie Moon offering. :)
     
    #6 TCassidy, Oct 20, 2015
  7. DMorgan

    DMorgan Member

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    Sounds intelligent.
     
    #7 DMorgan, Oct 20, 2015
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