Just curious: If IFB churches are truly independent, then how does a new IFB church get started? I agree with what most IFBers believe, but there are no IFB churches within 50 miles of my home. Second, on a related note, how does one become an IFB minister if there is no ordaining denomination?
New Independent Baptist Church?
Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by countrybaptist, Apr 19, 2004.
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My family and I were part of the ABA group many years, but came to a parting of the ways-not by our choice, but God's. We started meeting in a home and contacting different churches of the independent type...2 extended an arm-we went with the one the Lord said to go with. While we don't "belong" to the IFB, we are independent, fundamental & Baptist...also, unregistered.
They never 'interfered' with us, but yet they were there to help if need be & we support their missionaries...then last June my son'n'law who is my pastor, was ordained by that church, so that we can now scripturally baptize and observe the Lord's Supper. -
There are a few ways for a IFB church to get started. Sometimes a ordained minister (ordained by his local church) moves to an area and begins evangelistic work.
Other times beleivers in a local area begin meeting for Bible studies, etc, and eventually may begin looking for a pastor. -
Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
I give this advice from the history of my own home church which was founded in 1881. This practice is IIRC also noted with approval in Hiscox's Directory. This being a case where being a daughter church is not possible.
In God's providence, a group of NT believers finds themselves in a location where there is no local NT church for them to transfer their membership. (In our case, the previous six churchs were located "downtown". Our founding group was located in a newer residental area. With no public transportation, except for horse drawn trollies and cable cars, reaching the established church was very difficult.) This group after some informal discussions:</font>- formally gathers together.</font>
- elects a presiding officer and recording secretary.</font>
- discusses and approves a founding document; a statement of faith or church charter.</font>
- the group present signs the founding document.</font>
- with due deleberate speed convens a recognition council of representatives from sister churchs of like faith and practice.</font>
Notice if you please, having an ordained minister of the Gospel present at the founding is not mentioned in the list. That was a deleberate omission on my part. Most of the time a church is founded through the efforts of a church planter ordained. But this is not mandatory. In fact once a Baptist church is organized, she can ordain whoever she wants to for her pastor. Or she can extend a call to a man outside the congregation.
Hope this helps and sheds more light than heat.
[ April 19, 2004, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Squire Robertsson ] -
Dear Brother Robertsson,
I like your outline, you identify the true essentials. It is often overlooked
Further, waht a churh is convening is a recognition council not an approval council.
But, imho, as Christ is the head of the church, the approval comes not from men.
I also very much appreciate the notice that the local church possesses the authority to call and ordain the person desired for pastor.
Sometimes, it seems that many think otherwise on these two points. What else makes a church 'independent' except for this and having Christ alone as head and His word as the rule of faith and order?
Thanks for the outline. Although I am a chain-link Landmarker, imho, many who are in agreement with me are wrenching the local authority from the body and giving it to "a" man.
just some of my thoughts.
Bro. Dallas -
Thanks for sharing your experiences. It has cleared things up for me. Also, though this may sound foolish, what does "imho" stand for? I've seen it used many times on these forums.
Thanks again,
Brian -
In My Humble Opinion.
hope that helps. -
Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
And IIRC means If I Recall Correctly
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Thanks for the tips on BB "shorthand". I even figured out what OSAS was.
God Bless,
Brian -
Amen, S Robertsson
Thank you that did clear up some hard points and the extra part by Br. Dallas put a fine focus on the mater. I have wondered about the independent in an organization that shares the same name like IFB. I also like the idea of the local Church authority in the Headship of Jesus Christ.
:D