Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Hacksaw

Actually, the SBC resisted setting up a SBC database. Unlike the Catholic Church, each Baptist Congregation is fully independent.

From the SBC website:

“5. I believe our pastor (or my church) has acted inappropriately. What will the SBC do about it?

Actually, the Southern Baptist Convention is not in a position to take any disciplinary action regarding pastors or churches. Again, because of the autonomy of the local church, each SBC church is responsible before God to set its own policies regarding pastors or problems in the church. Such policies are entirely up to the individual congregation.

According to our constitution, if a church no longer makes a bona fide contribution to the Convention’s work, or if it acts to “affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior,” it no longer complies with the Constitution of the Southern Baptist Convention and is not permitted to send messengers to the annual meeting. These, however, are the only explicitly stated instances in which the SBC has the prerogative to take action. Failure to remain in “friendly cooperation” would also disqualify a church from sending messengers, and is obviously more of a subjective test.

Most SBC churches would look to their own constitutions and bylaws for the answer to this question, often these documents address this very issue.

6. Why is the SBC so committed to the autonomy of the local church?

We recognize that in the New Testament there was no centralized ecclesiastical authority over the churches that forced the churches into any form of compliance. There was encouragement, exhortation, and admonition, but there was never enforcement. We strongly adhere to that principle. Jesus Christ is the head of the local church - we are not. Each church is responsible before God for the policies it sets and decisions it makes.”


31 posted on 09/12/2009 11:19:31 AM PDT by Mr Rogers (I loathe the ground he slithers on!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies ]


To: Mr Rogers

I’ve been a member before of a Baptist Church that donated to the SBC missions program, but refused to officially take part in the SBC - because to do so was viewed as losing too much local autonomy. This in spite of the SBC being VERY loosely bound together.


33 posted on 09/12/2009 11:22:01 AM PDT by Mr Rogers (I loathe the ground he slithers on!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies ]

To: Mr Rogers

And we (SBC) will stay independent.


38 posted on 09/12/2009 11:27:23 AM PDT by texmexis best (uencynd no)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson