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?
Baptist Churches without Baptist in the Name
Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by Dr. Bob, Jul 10, 2004.
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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. -
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 -
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. -
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.
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this could be a problem with arminians though. -
Massdak, how are you keeping these days?
Sheila -
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 -
Baptist born, baptist bred, and I'll be Baptist dead.
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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 )
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".
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and you? -
And let those pesky Arminians go join a Wesleyan church. :rolleyes: -
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 -
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 -
Andy -
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 -
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.
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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.
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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 -
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