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Post by Sojourner on Nov 3, 2004 23:23:33 GMT -5
Today I was looking at the website of an IFB ministry that had an influence on me when i was younger, prior to becoming a Christian. It caught me by surprise when i saw the list of churches and groups that they refuse to associate with; along with names liberals, pentecostals, charismatics they also listed Southern Baptist Convention churches. Do IFB's really put SBC churches into the same category as the above mentioned, and if so...why? I'm just curious, and i'm also pastoring a SBC church also, so that is why i would like to know.
in HIS grip bobbyd
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Post by Brother Ben on Nov 4, 2004 13:46:23 GMT -5
Bobby, Like politics, you are going to have varying degrees of intensity when people evaluate other groups. Though I have concerns about certain groups and their teachings, I try to be more careful about my evaluation unless I believe they are flat out evil, i.e. the movie crowd, etc. Anyways, sometimes in listing things, we have common denominators in "our" mind, but do not make that clear to the readers. If you were to probe this brother/ministry, you would probably find "the reason" the SBC is grouped in with other groups. I have a frined who pastors a SBC church in KY and they are very conservative, and his wife even covers. They are not "business as usual" SBC, but they prove that you can't heep them all into one lump. However, I know there are many that concerned about certain seminaries, and investment programs associated with the SBC and it's annuities board. Because people see violations in doctrinal issues at SBC sponsored schools, which would be under SBC control, and certain investment portfolios, they group them all under the catagory of "too much murky stuff" and write them off.
I believe that there are too many strings attached to being under the umbrella of the SBC, but may I also say, that I have seen IFB churches that behave the exact same or worse.
The answer: Get your N.T. out and try to make you work as true to form as the N.T. pattern reveals, or go start a new one. Was that helpful? Let me know if I can clarify.
Ben
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Post by Sojourner on Nov 4, 2004 22:58:44 GMT -5
First, and you may have told me this already...which part of KY is your friend in?
Second, i think it was just a bit of a shock to my system to see Southern Baptists put into the same category as liberals, charismatics, pentecostals, et al.
As for the SBC seminaries, they have all made a strong turn toward the conservative, and some people may think too far in some cases. I went to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for my MDiv, and i will admit it was very heavy into calvanistic teachings...and i left there under the same opinion that i went in, Calvin was right in some ways and he was wrong on others, and he also didn't die on the cross for my sins.
As for money issues, personally, i think the SBC has a great tool in supporting mission work with the Cooperative Program, which is a primary reason i do stick around. I have several friends who are now, or have previously served as missionaries...and all of them were able to focus on sharing the Gospel full time due to not having to worry about getting funding. And really, the only strings that come with being part of the SBC is what you help support the Cooperative Program with financially and being in agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message.
I think i would just love to find a combination, the support of mission work you find in the SBC mixed with the evangelistic emphasis and commitment to God's Word you find in the IFB churches.
And you are right about the NT...that is where we will find what the church is supposed to look at. Early in in the book of Acts, in chapter 2, verses 42-47, we get a great picture of what the Church of Christ should look like.
in HIS grip bobbyd
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