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Baptist Churches without Baptist in the Name

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by Dr. Bob, Jul 10, 2004.

  1. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    We have some confusion on the BB because to post in "Baptist-only" areas, one must be a member of a Baptist church (duh). Some folks can't eivdently read the rules.

    But we've now seen some posters who ARE members of a "Baptist" church, but the church has opted not to use "Baptist" in its title.

    I was Associate Pastor for College at Grace Fundamental Church in the Dallas area. It was a "Baptist" church. (BTW, it has since changed name and location to Grace Baptist - but in that area, if you were "Baptist", everyone assumed SBC)

    My son, the General Manager of PDYM (Purpose Driven Youth Ministries), is part of Saddleback Valley Community Church. This is an active SBC church of 28k, heavy on doctrine and discipleship, fully supportive of the Baptist Faith and Message of the SBC, etc. But not "Baptist" in its public name, even though 100% as Baptist as I am.

    (1) What do you all think about this trend of NOT using the word "baptist"?

    (2) How can we adjust profile to show members of such ARE in a Baptist church?
     
  2. Charles Meadows

    Charles Meadows New Member

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    I think the name is of lesser importance.

    I consider myself baptist and attend a church with "baptist" in its name - but then again I am far from your typical baptist, being a nondispensationalist.

    If someone professes to be of another denomination then he/she should likely not post in baptist-only forums. But one who professes to be baptist but attends the blah blah blah "Community Church" should be allowed to post.
     
  3. aefting

    aefting New Member

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    I am surprised by the number of SBC supported churches that do not use the name "Baptist." To me is says, we'll take your money but we don't want to be identified with your movement.

    What do I think about the trend? I think it is pretty much unnecessary. The latest stats that I've seen (from Joe Miller's church consulting resources) say that the term "Baptist" is not a turn off to the unchurched.

    As a Baptist who believes in the autonomy of the local church, let them name their church how they see fit.

    Andy
     
  4. Charles Meadows

    Charles Meadows New Member

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    I should mention that I used to attend "Red House UBI" church. The church had long since ceased to be anything at all like the UBI groups and had a baptist pastor (my father in law) to boot! We all basically considered ourselves baptist but the trustees never wanted to change the name (there were a few old stodgy coots who objected).

    If one professes to be baptist he/she should be allowed to post.
     
  5. Jeff Weaver

    Jeff Weaver New Member

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    Well, honestly, there is no way to know if someone is baptist or not, unless they are honest. I have seen a lot of things on this board posted by baptists that I wouldn't have on my Christmas tree. (Old mountain expression). And some who claim to be baptists, who act more like trolls, so if a person is being reasonable, it is fine with me. Of course being reasonable is a subjective judgment. I can't see what it would hurt to just rely on honesty. It has worked this long, it might hang in there a few more days.
     
  6. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    one way to have a baptist only section, would be to ask all those who post to sign an online agreement that they do agree and abide by the 1689 baptist confession.
    this could be a problem with arminians though.
     
  7. following-Him

    following-Him Active Member

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    Massdak, how are you keeping these days?

    Sheila
     
  8. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    Aefting,

    I have been a pastor of 3 SBC churches, where do you get this statement about taking their money. Our churches have given money to SBC causes, but never received anything back. As a matter of fact I have found SBC literature is more expensive than other literature out there. When in my first church which had been in the SBC for 30 years at that time when we wanted help in financing the purchase of a building the Home Mission Board charged us one percent over what banks were offering and we had to sign the property over to them until it is paid for. The SBC does not support the churches, the churches regardless if they have SBC in the name, support the SBC.

    Bro Tony
     
  9. Daniel David

    Daniel David New Member

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    Baptist born, baptist bred, and I'll be Baptist dead.
     
  10. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Dr. Bob: "How can we adjust profile to show members
    of such ARE in a Baptist church?"

    I have no problem with a Denomination of
    "Baptist Christian" or "Baptist Non-denominational".
    BTW, "Baptist" was as close as anybody in the 17th century came
    to "Non-denominational". In fact, i have an idea of
    the Baptist distinctives, but none of what "non-denominational"
    means. Money has denominations, it cannot be money
    and "non-denominational" at the same time. To me it
    is likewise with church denominations. Of course, others
    will define "denomination" as something else.

    Problem is, there is a die-hard group that is very
    dogmatic about being "non-denominational". (I have a problem
    with them in that to me non-denominational = non-existant [​IMG] )
    So they don't want to ruin the effect of "non-denominational"
    with "baptist" in front of it. Still, I have no problem with
    "non-denominational baptist" even though it is a redundancy.
    BTW: "independant fundamental Baptist" is a triple
    redundancy, for a Baptist by right aught to be independant
    and fundamental. Amen!

    A nearby Free Will Baptist Church moved building locations
    and now call themselves "Cross Point Church".

    [​IMG]
     
  11. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    i have been doing pretty well lately
    and you?
     
  12. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    NOW you are talking my language!! [​IMG]

    And let those pesky Arminians go join a Wesleyan church. :rolleyes:
     
  13. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    Sorry Guys,

    Can't, Don't, Won't sign any confession document. The Word is enough for me, won't sign up for a man's or group of men's interpretation of it.

    But I do enjoy the fellowship of fellow Bible believers even if they are 5 point Calvinist or hyper-Arminians.

    Bro Tony
     
  14. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    BTW,

    Before someone asks while I am in agreement with what I read in the confession and even the present day Baptist Faith and Message, I still would not sign an agreement statement binding myself to it. I place my faith solely in Jesus and I did not have to sign up for Him---He just gloriously saved me.

    Bro Tony
     
  15. aefting

    aefting New Member

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    My experience with the SBC is limited but there is a SBC church plant in our area that was given its land by the SBC. I just assumed that was standard practice. This particular church started out with "Baptist" in their name but they have since changed it to a "Community" church.

    Andy
     
  16. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    Hi Andy,

    What you are stating is true in a very few cases in the SBC. In most cases the SBC or state convention will front church plants the land and pay a part of the pastors salary. Most of the time when the church is up and running the land has to be paid back. The pastors salary of course does not. But this practice is for a very few churches, most churches receive nothing from the convention, but give to the convention for the purpose of missionary work, although honestly it must be said that too much of the money given is spent on overhead for the convention and a small percentage actually reaches the mission field. Our church does not give through the Cooperative program, but to foreign and home missions directly.

    It is rare without having to pay big bucks to receive anything from the convention.

    God Bless

    Bro Tony
     
  17. Daniel David

    Daniel David New Member

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    Tony, baptists have always been confessional people. We have always recognized statements of faith. Btw, there is no such thing as a bible believing hyper arminian. Thanks.
     
  18. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    Wouldn't sign, if you doubt my "baptist" qualifications you are free to ask any questions directly that you may have.
     
  19. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    DD,

    Though someone writes or speaks of a confession or statement of faith they are not the basis of my faith. They are good as they go, but the Word is complete and I will just let my yes be yes and my no be no. I will not sign a piece of paper, but as was stated ask me and I will be glad to share. Our Baptist heritage is that we are people of the Word.

    As far as the Arminian statement I choose not to judge my brothers on whether they are calvinistic or arminian in their theology. Both are a form of theology that man chooses in which to approach the Scripture. Neither view is complete in itself and neither is Scripture.

    Bro Tony
     
  20. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    Daniel, sorry but I think this last sentence is very divisive (I am not sure what a hyper arminian is, but I doubt I would say they were not a believer, unless it means Pelagian [born with no fallen nature] and then I'm not sure). This is one of the things that bothers me about Calvinists -- that they can say non-Calvinists might not be believers. That is just unbibical and divisive, imo. Not trying to debate it here but couldn't let that remark go.

    Thanks. I agree. [​IMG]
     
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