Monday, April 10, 2006
Accept Non-Southern Baptists for Membership?
Dear Friends,
In our small town (Bonham, Texas), and the nearby even-smaller towns, there are several Southern Baptist churches, but only one Nazarene church, and no other Nazarene church for many miles around. This particular church is very small, all the members are retirement age, and there is little ministry available for younger adults or children. Similarly, there is only one Presbyterian church, and it is liberal in orientation, with a woman pastor and other issues that are disagreeable to the more conservative Presbyterians. We have no Missionary Baptist church, no Freewill Baptist church, no Four-Square-Gospel church, no Reformed Baptist church, no Bible church, etc.
So, a number of believers from these backgrounds, who move to our community, have to look to Southern Baptist churches for a church family with which to worship. Clearly such believers are welcome to attend our Bible study groups and our worship services, but what about membership?
Should a believer who has been baptized by immersion as a profession of faith in Christ, but who is not from a Southern Baptist background be accepted for membership in a Southern Baptist church?
This question would be easy to answer in the case of someone who has basically been “converted” to Southern Baptist-ism. That is, if someone has become convinced that the Southern Baptist system of belief and practice is superior to his denominational upbringing, then we clearly can accept him for membership.
But what about the person who is not forsaking his denominational distinctives, but simply cannot attend his own brand of church, and is joining a Southern Baptist church as the best available alternative?
One solution I have considered is this: If the person is willing to say he believes the church’s statement of faith (1963 BFM in our case), he can be accepted for membership. There is a BIG problem with this approach, however---I DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING IN OUR CHURCH’S STATEMENT OF FAITH, EITHER!!! For example, as some of you know, I do not believe that baptism should be called a “church ordinance.” I also do not believe that the church’s biblical officers are deacon and pastor. (The Bible clearly says “Elder” and “Bishop/Overseer” rather than “Pastor.”) Unless I want to kick myself off the membership role, I can’t use this approach.
The solution I am considering at present is this: If a believer has been baptized by immersion as a profession of faith in Christ, and commends himself by Christ-like words and actions as he worships with our church, then he can be accepted for membership by the church. If he brings with him certain beliefs or practices that are not traditionally Southern Baptist, then so be it.
I welcome your comments, as this is an issue of great importance in my own local church, and in our whole denomination. As we share ideas, may God guide us to policies and practices that honor Christ, strengthen the local churches, and edify the individual believers.
Love in Christ,
Jeff
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Jeff,
I think that, in addition to commending themselves by Christ-like words and actions as they worship with your church, I think you should also extract from them their solemn promise not to bring any dishes made with TVP to church pot-luck dinners...
I agree with Dr. Mohler as I quoted him on my blog where he said, and I'm paraphrasing here, that we are in covenant with one another, and that baptism is the sign of that covenant.
You said, "...if someone has become convinced that the Southern Baptist system of belief and practice is superior to his denominational upbringing, then we clearly can accept him for membership." I would disagree here by saying that if they were unwilling to submit to baptism as a sign of the covenant, they should not be granted membership.
I think that, in addition to commending themselves by Christ-like words and actions as they worship with your church, I think you should also extract from them their solemn promise not to bring any dishes made with TVP to church pot-luck dinners...
I agree with Dr. Mohler as I quoted him on my blog where he said, and I'm paraphrasing here, that we are in covenant with one another, and that baptism is the sign of that covenant.
You said, "...if someone has become convinced that the Southern Baptist system of belief and practice is superior to his denominational upbringing, then we clearly can accept him for membership." I would disagree here by saying that if they were unwilling to submit to baptism as a sign of the covenant, they should not be granted membership.
Jeff,
So glad to read of some others out there having to struggle with some of these issues. They are not always so neat and tidy are they?
I know I am not the best example of a middle-of-the-road S. Baptist, but I have to go back to Ephesians 4 where Paul states a truth that I believe we have never really quite understood:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
There is only ONE BODY of Christ, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM. In the eyes of Christ, we are one Body. In that Body there are many sincere and honest differences. Who am I to turn away anyone who professes the same Lord as I do?
Could it be the reason we have not seen the Spirit outpoured upon us in true revival and spiritual awakening be due to our grieving the Lord over our divisions within his Body and rejecting those whom He has accepted?
So glad to read of some others out there having to struggle with some of these issues. They are not always so neat and tidy are they?
I know I am not the best example of a middle-of-the-road S. Baptist, but I have to go back to Ephesians 4 where Paul states a truth that I believe we have never really quite understood:
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
There is only ONE BODY of Christ, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM. In the eyes of Christ, we are one Body. In that Body there are many sincere and honest differences. Who am I to turn away anyone who professes the same Lord as I do?
Could it be the reason we have not seen the Spirit outpoured upon us in true revival and spiritual awakening be due to our grieving the Lord over our divisions within his Body and rejecting those whom He has accepted?
Jeff,
My feelings are that as long as that person can comfortably sit under my teaching and convictions (even if they disagree w/ some things) without causing division then I have no problem with it. Depending on where we disagreed I might not allow that person any sort of teaching role, but I think we could co-exist.
Who knows we might could have some lively personal discussions and I might even be able to convince 'em their wrong! :)
My feelings are that as long as that person can comfortably sit under my teaching and convictions (even if they disagree w/ some things) without causing division then I have no problem with it. Depending on where we disagreed I might not allow that person any sort of teaching role, but I think we could co-exist.
Who knows we might could have some lively personal discussions and I might even be able to convince 'em their wrong! :)
Jeff,
I am a pastor in SC. Last night our small Wednesday evening gathering discussed similar issues. Our focus was primarily on Christian Apostasy vs. Perseverance of Saints.
Our doctrinal standard upholds the Perseverance of Saints, but everyone agreed that one who believes in Christian Apostasy should be welcomed to join our church. I then asked if this new member should be allowed to teach a SS class knowing he/she would advocate his/her position of Christian Apostasy. Most of the crowd remained silent, or quietly shook their heads no, but looked deep in thought. However, one member said she thought it would be fine. Last, I asked the members present if they would hire a preacher elder who believed and preached Christian Apostasy? They resolutely said no.
These questions are difficult and I am trying myself to come to a definitive position. My belief is that members of a church, no matter if it is an 80 year widow, to the preaching elder, to newly weds should be expected to uphold the same practice (I think their should be room for disagreement over particular doctrines, non-essentials). But I feel the elder and the member should be expected to teach and hold the same doctrines. If a non-essential is to be upheld by the teaching elder, it should be upheld by the members.
May God bless us and give us the needed wisdom as we think through these things,
Jason Morrison
I am a pastor in SC. Last night our small Wednesday evening gathering discussed similar issues. Our focus was primarily on Christian Apostasy vs. Perseverance of Saints.
Our doctrinal standard upholds the Perseverance of Saints, but everyone agreed that one who believes in Christian Apostasy should be welcomed to join our church. I then asked if this new member should be allowed to teach a SS class knowing he/she would advocate his/her position of Christian Apostasy. Most of the crowd remained silent, or quietly shook their heads no, but looked deep in thought. However, one member said she thought it would be fine. Last, I asked the members present if they would hire a preacher elder who believed and preached Christian Apostasy? They resolutely said no.
These questions are difficult and I am trying myself to come to a definitive position. My belief is that members of a church, no matter if it is an 80 year widow, to the preaching elder, to newly weds should be expected to uphold the same practice (I think their should be room for disagreement over particular doctrines, non-essentials). But I feel the elder and the member should be expected to teach and hold the same doctrines. If a non-essential is to be upheld by the teaching elder, it should be upheld by the members.
May God bless us and give us the needed wisdom as we think through these things,
Jason Morrison
# posted by 
: 8:54 AM
: 8:54 AM
I'd agree with Guy, but then I, like Guy, am not necessarily what he called a "middle of the road" Southern Baptist.
I think Jamie also has a good point about teaching. I don't know that every teacher has to be in uniformity in their doctrine, but should be able to teach according to the church's adopted statement of faith.
But as you've noted, that puts you in an awkward position yourself. If I were you I'd think about trying to get the church to amend her statement of faith in a way that at a minimum would allow for your beliefs and the stated beliefs of the church to coexist.
I think Jamie also has a good point about teaching. I don't know that every teacher has to be in uniformity in their doctrine, but should be able to teach according to the church's adopted statement of faith.
But as you've noted, that puts you in an awkward position yourself. If I were you I'd think about trying to get the church to amend her statement of faith in a way that at a minimum would allow for your beliefs and the stated beliefs of the church to coexist.
Jeff,
I like the fact that you've raised the question. I was raised Southern Baptist and continue to be Baptist...but I often disgress from my Southern convictions in today's world. I think it be best to accept all of the children of God, who wish to worship him in his house, no matter which denomination they chose to have practiced previously. I am 26 and have helped more liberal churches in the inner-city bring those troubled, or just lost youth in the door, by simply offering a place to worship the Lord, follow Christ and be one with fellow worshipers. I believe that once you have a person's attention of the serevity of Christ's teachings, God will open their eyes and guide them to the Church community in which he desires them to be. I also believe that God may have put these differences in front of you to test you.
I like the fact that you've raised the question. I was raised Southern Baptist and continue to be Baptist...but I often disgress from my Southern convictions in today's world. I think it be best to accept all of the children of God, who wish to worship him in his house, no matter which denomination they chose to have practiced previously. I am 26 and have helped more liberal churches in the inner-city bring those troubled, or just lost youth in the door, by simply offering a place to worship the Lord, follow Christ and be one with fellow worshipers. I believe that once you have a person's attention of the serevity of Christ's teachings, God will open their eyes and guide them to the Church community in which he desires them to be. I also believe that God may have put these differences in front of you to test you.
# posted by : 2:10 PM
: 2:10 PM
Dear Brother Royce,
Thank you very much for your insight based on your experience. I hope you'll visit often and chime in.
Love in Christ,
Jeff
Thank you very much for your insight based on your experience. I hope you'll visit often and chime in.
Love in Christ,
Jeff
In many of the professional associations I have joined, there are different levels of membership: full membership for those of us who have met all of the associations criteria and associate membership for people who are interested in counseling/psychology but do not meet the academic and licensure requirements. Generally, associate members are limited on how they can serve and whether or not they can vote.
I wish my church had a similar category of membership: associate membership for those who are Believers but not SBC with limitations on where they can serve and on what they can vote.
This way we could recognize they are indeed brothers and sisters in Christ and have chosen to fellowship with us, but are remaining - for whatever reason - somewhat apart from the full measure of community.
Sunday School membership doesn't really cut it because we don't require SS members to be saved.
I wish my church had a similar category of membership: associate membership for those who are Believers but not SBC with limitations on where they can serve and on what they can vote.
This way we could recognize they are indeed brothers and sisters in Christ and have chosen to fellowship with us, but are remaining - for whatever reason - somewhat apart from the full measure of community.
Sunday School membership doesn't really cut it because we don't require SS members to be saved.
# posted by : 8:46 AM
: 8:46 AM
Dear Brother Bowden,
I believe that is similar to the practice of some of the more confessional Baptist churches, which allow people to join without adhering to the church's confession, but are not allowed to hold office unless they do subscribe.
It's great to have you come by!
Love in Christ,
Jeff
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I believe that is similar to the practice of some of the more confessional Baptist churches, which allow people to join without adhering to the church's confession, but are not allowed to hold office unless they do subscribe.
It's great to have you come by!
Love in Christ,
Jeff
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