Featured New Members Class - The Poll

And you are free to make that suggestion to them. The problem is that here in Florida people come from a wide assortment of baptist and other kinds of churches. If they are going to be participating members in this body of Christ, they need to learn how and why we do things. You make the assumption that they know, we don't assume.

 

One, it's not just Florida that is the case. Two, ask a couple a questions. That should tell you what they believe and where they stand.

 

Acts 2: KJB
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.​

Perhaps those with more learning than I have can answer this question. What other "faiths" require a period of study BEFORE they are accepted into that faith? Catholics? Mormons? Jews? Muslims? Others?

As Baptists are we adopting a form of legalism/indroctination being practiced by others, when we require formal training classes before a person can become a member of a particular Baptist church?

IMO......

A "new member" class, AFTER becoming a member, is a good idea. Whether from new profession of faith or a letter of transfer. Shouldn't a God called pastor be able to discern, with a "couple of questions" (at least to some degree) what's in the heart of a person standing before him? Personally, I believe that is the most important thing, when an assembly of believers is called upon to vote.

Next, once the vote is taken, isn't it the responsibility of the assembly to aid the growth in maturity of the new member? Classes, yes. That's just one of the ways. Classes do not remove the responsibilty of each individual member of the assembly -- the church -- to do the same. As Baptists, isn't that the core of this issue?

How many times, in this life, have we heard - It ain't my responsibility. That's Bill Smith's job! - ? Train em before we hire em. What happened to on the job training by dedicated co-workers?

 

Some of the churches that I've seen use the deal of taking a new member under their arm and teach them or a less mature member and helping that person.
Some of the churches that I've been in that the members seem to understand the Scriptures the best or small churches, why. It is up to each of us to be helpful to those who need help and to take the help of ones who are more mature(that is in the Lord) than we are. Classes I'm sure can help, but I don't believe anything beats one on one.