From IFB to SBC

The better question would be why would a strong IFB preacher go to the SBC. That seems silly to me.

Jason

 

Hi dommy! Stop by the "Welcome to the Baptist Board" forum at the top of the main page and introduce yourself so we can all welcome you.

 

I don't know if it would seem silly, but there would be some important things to know going in. One would be to check your pride at the door and walk in humility before God and the congregation you would serve. Walking in with preconceived notions about "what's what" would cause problems.

The challenges would be multiple and manifest. How sure is this hypothetical preacher of his calling to an SBC church?

The organizational structures of SBC and IFB churches are different, and could lend themselves to conflict between the pastor and the congregation, as could the church's participation in the Cooperative Program, as well as the local, state, and national associations.

The other thing would be that regardless of the SBC congegation's vote, there would be some opposition, especially if the pastor were to begin distancing the church from the SBC in doctrine, polity, or associations.

 

A lot of things could possibly happen. Everyone is different, and in different circumstances.

Ask a vague question, get a vague answer.

 

Give him a call. Why would he mind? He'd probably really enjoy a call from an old friend.

 

But the problem is, you said he switched about 10 years ago, and you have not had contact with him for about the last 20 years. That means he switched 10 years after you last had contact with him. 10 years is a LONG time, and a lot can change in that amount of time. Rather than simply loose respect for someone for something you admittedly know nothing about, give him a call and hear his reasons. It sounds like you used to be his friend, and used to respect him. As a friend, don't you owe him (and yourself) a crack at explanation? Friends don't write off friends this easily, not even in IFB churches.

 

So it seems that it is an insult to you personally that this preacher felt called to leave your fellowship all those years ago and pastor an SBC church.

Did he leave on an unhappy note, and are you perhaps a little bitter about it even after all this time?

I only ask because if you want an explanation and he is willing to give one, be prepared to hear something you may not want to hear. If you go in with your mind already made up, the matter may only serve to embitter you even more.

 

Call him. Maybe he'll explain what moved him. Maybe what moved him was a very very good reason. IFBs aren't the end-all of perfect truth.

Why not??? God doesn't work outside of IFB churches?

 

Probably a wise decision based upon your obvious lack of knowledge regarding the SBC. I quote:

Most SBC that I know are compromisers that have to do what the deacons say or he's gone.

 

BTW, I made the switch about 10 years ago. It was definitely one of the wisest decisions I have ever made (in spite of one of my pastors telling me I had "stepped outside of God's will" by joining the SBC).

 

Then I'd better watch myself, because I was just called to pastor a church in mid-Missouri, and will be leaving to go there at the end of this month.

 

BTW,here in MO ,a person from the southern part of the us is not accepted in any church,even IFB.
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What does this mean?

I have lived in Missouri and found the people in the Bapist Churches very friendly and accepting.
I was from Texas/Oklahoma, though, but they called me a Southerner because of my "accent".