How many of you have left IFB churches for something else?

LOL. Good question!
I understand your reason behind it, and the intended sarcasm.
What I'd like to challenge you to do is give a biblical definition of separation, and give me the benefits of inundating your neighbor with in your face tracts as opposed to a little lifestyle evangelism.
You see, I have found that typical IFB's do a number of things that would seem untypical of Christianity. Sure, we may look good in suits or flowing skirts and a KJV in our hands, being led by pastors who teach us to follow them even if we think they're wrong, taking great caution to have a biblical style of clothing and hair (which I'd love to have someone show me where slacks on women or hair that touches the top of your ears is unbiblical) and spending five minutes trying to convert a person to Christianity.

BUT

How many of those people are true converts? How much of the true bible are you learning each Sunday, or is it the salvation message each week and expressions of extreme concern over whether you're looking the part and dressing up to IFB standards? What would they say if you were friendly with the SBC church or another denomination, or worked cooperatively with other Christians from another church? What if you told them that you were saved hearing the message from an NIV? Would your salvation be questioned? Probably.

In my point of view now, typical IFB's are not representative of true biblical Christians. A true Christian teaches God through his complete lifestyle, Christ in him naturally, not because of whether they follow some man-made standards. A true Christian pastor will not even hint to his congregation that they should continue to follow him should he be wrong, since he is the man of God. A true Christian will help other Christians, and a true Christian will realize that another Christian is not a false one if he/she decides that a non-IFB church is where they will learn and grow best.
R</font>[/QUOTE]I very well understand both sides. I've preached for both the BMA and the Independents. I have found that in IFB churches, the letter of the law is what abounds, and not the grace of Jesus Christ. I guarantee you what I see in the people of the SBC I'm currently attending is real salvation. Unless someone can fake Christianity that well, I would have to say most of the teens in the church are Christians, living for the Lord. I do see that some are having their standards move up, though the standards in the church allow them to "come as they are" within reason.
I cannot find anywhere in the Bible where it is unscriptural for women to wear slacks to the services or the men to have hair touching their ears, or even having facial hair. But most of the HYLISTIC type mindsets do try to make these minor things MAJOR DOCTRINES, taking away the working of the Holy Spirit and taking that job upon themselves. No wonder we have so many become disenchanted with Christianity and forsaking the churches. Preachers in most IFB churches expect "cookie cutter" (clone) Christians. It doesn't work that way.

 

Mr. Curtis, I hope I didn't give the impression that ALL IFB churches are that way, because I've been in one or two of them while visiting relatives that were EXCELLENT! If only the term hadn't been hijacked to represent people like that man from Hammond. You all know of whom I'm talking. So, please, don't take that as an attack on IFBism. It's just typical of the ones I grew up in and have been in since I was married nearly 20 years ago. I just praise the Lord for the freedom I have found in the SBC I'm in now,where people love the Lord, show they love the Lord, witness without judgement, and are actively involved with their youth helping them to grow to be stronger Christians.

Brother Tony

 

Cat, no that isn't what it's all about. Jesus Christ is what it's all about, and that is what MANY of the IFB pastors have forgotten. They have experienced so much leeway in making and setting up man made rules that they have forgotten about the gospel. The funny thing was, today as the pastor of the SBC that we've been visiting was talking to my wife and myself, he told me that he had graduated from and IFB seminary, and that he had been raised a charismatic. But , God led him to the Southern Baptists, and we fully believe that is what the Lord is doing with us. Now when I sing "Just as I am" I can sing it truly and not be thinking in my head "Just as I am, without one plea, I'm coming to dress as Pastor wants me to be". It's the salvation first, the changing of the life as the Holy Spirit convicts and leads in this new church, not salvation, then forced convictions with the pastor playing the part of the Holy Spirit, and then trying to down the person if they aren't convicted the way he is or on his level. Somethings been lost in MOST (not all)IFB churches, and many new "doctrines" have been added. I think Jesus went as far as to call it hypocrisy!

B.T.

 

I didn't check the link, but I have to agree with the statement of NOT holding Hyles up too high! Though he did many good things for Baptist churches and got many churches motivated for growth, he also did much harm to many people, directly or indirectly. I'm not saying he wasn't saved as others have posted on different forums on the net, but I am saying that he did some pretty irrepairable damage to many lives, including his own sons. From my experience when one goes to an IFB college, they are trained to marry that "right girl", trained to "soulwin", trained to get those numbers in at ANY cost. This IS so at Hyles. I've been there, I've heard the chapel speakers, and I've witnessed the damage to many of my friends and to relatives also. Granted if he had not gotten the church I grew up in interested in the bus ministry, I would not be saved, but that does not negate the fact that many of those he's trained in his colleges are tearing Christians down instead of building them up, and it was through the training they received at FBCH/HAC! No apologies for my stand on this. I know many have fond memories of him. I do too, but they don't wipe away the bad as in my own case the bad has been way to recent, and way too much.

 

Grasshopper, the church my wife and I just left was pastored by a man who attended Hyles. His assistant pastor also attended and graduated from Hyles. This caused a church split about two years ago, and the church has never really fully recovered since. It was funny to me when I asked our assistant pastor about Eschatology, and Hamartiology, he didn't know what in the world I was talking about. But he sure knew what "getting the numbers in there" was.

Brother Tony

 

http://baptist-city.com/dr__hyles.htm
Here's a (decent) link with a different view. You can also listen to some of his sermons on there.
Chrys</font>[/QUOTE]So, Chrys, are you saying that you are one who supports the Hylesistic system?

B.T.

 

I wish you well in your search! I will be praying for you and your family. It's hard to leave a church, even a lousy one if you've become attached to the people. We just went through it and left the Independents to go to the Southern Baptists! Best move we ever made!

B.T.