Look at it this way -
let's say you church
helps support a local Pro-life organization.
Are you not a cooperating church for that organization.
By being part - than you church may have a say in how things are run- who will lead the organization, and ect.
Keep this in mind -there will be many more diverse elements and beliefs, then you would find in a SBC church association!
I dont know. I have been treasurer at two different SBC churches. The only thing I ever sent to SBC was Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon. I did send the local association a pretty healthy check once a year.
As far as I know and can recall, our church is not a supporter of or member of any organization -- unless it be the rural electric cooperative. I think we technically are a member of it.
I would suspect so. Further, J. D. Greear and his church do not look much like any average SBC church I know (obviously, my perspective is limited by whom I know, where I am, and where I have been).
#56.
Americans live in a celebrity culture. The church is infected as well. Many like big names, big churches, published authors and begin to take on the nature of what they see as desireable which is to become large themselves.
We also live in a culture of indoctrination. Children are taught what to think not how to think. Church leadership in some cases does the same thing. If it is in the literature they teach it as untouchable truth. That literature often comes from the top down.
So even though built on the foundation of the Word and , probably, by men of noble intentions the subsequent generations have built a monument to the ingenuity of men. It doesn't require Holy Spirit power just money in the coffers and bodies in the pews. And theological compromise is necessary to get and keep both. The SBC and its current direction indicate this.
Also the overemphasis on education for church leaders has led to a catholic like dependence on those men for theological understanding. This has led many "laymen" to function as
Biblical illiterates. Often the teaching received is presented as a lecture. Unlike school, however, there is no test in the forseeable future so many forget the lecture as soon as the doors open to let them out where they really want to be. Recess, playtime, their real lives.