Years ago, I was taught that a local church cannot join another organization. Rather affiliation is the proper term.
JOIN:
1
a: to put or bring together so as to form a unit <join two blocks of wood with glue>
b: to connect (as points) by a line
c: adjoin
2
: to put or bring into close association or relationship <joined in marriage>
AFFILIATE:
af·fil·i·ate verb \ə-ˈfi-lē-ˌāt\1
a: to bring or receive into close connection as a member or branch
b: to associate as a member <affiliates herself with the local club>
************
So, does it make a difference which term is used?
My only concern is that I would not want my church to "join" an organizatio which would refuse or restrict leaving that organizationn.
Thoughts?
Can a church "join" another organziation?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Jan 18, 2013.
-
-
Churches do so all the time. That's how denominations and associations work.
I agree that I would not support joining one that did not allow for that joining to be undone should the need arise.
I believe the same is true politically. -
-
I would say it is a non-issue matter of semantics...despite slightly different dictionary definitions, in actual usage people use "join" to mean what you mean by "affiliate." So based on common usage, it would not be in error to say that a church is "joining with" other churches in the GARBC, or SBC, to accomplish some bigger things.
-
but is it wrong to "join" an organization? -
Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
Joining rather than affiliating goes to the principle (distinctive) of the independence and autonomy of the Local (Baptist) Church. As Francis Wayland wrote in 1859, "A Baptist Church can not be represented."
-
From Article !V, Section 2
Section 2. "Each church shall be entitled to a maximum of six voting messengers from its membership to be sent to the annual meeting, two of whom shall be empowered to sit on the Elections Committee"
From the GARB constitution:
"...(Note the word “fellowship,” not “membership.” A Baptist church cannot be a member of anything outside of itself. It can declare itself in fellowship with any body of Baptists on earth, but cannot be a member.)"
Does Scripture forbid a church from joining another organization. What about the local Chamber of commerce, suppose your church was a member of an electric community?... -
Baptist churches are represented all the time by their pastors and members at various venues...If two pastors meet to discuss some joint evangelistic endeavor, and the work out the details, they are representing their church...same thing at any association or "affiliation" meeting, because the entire church memberships do not attend such a meeting. -
-