Oh, come on. :) We think of our local churches as families and we're pretty good about doing the fellowship thing. Our earthly authority is the scriptures, and I will certainly grant that some submit to that authority more than others. But I think that's true in all faiths, isn't it?
“”We think of our local churches as families and we’re pretty good about doing the fellowship thing””
As a former protestant I tend to agree with this statement on a LOCAL basis ,but on the larger scale there is a problem with theology because you don;t have enough concrete teaching in matters of faith and morals. The local group gets together and decides from their interpretations of the Bible what their professions of faith should be etc.... Also,they decide whether they allow women ministers,approval of members to join freemasonry, gay issues etc....
The Southern Baptists Convention says the following about confession’s of faith ....
http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfmpreamble.asp
“(3) That any group of Baptists, large or small, have the inherent right to draw up for themselves and publish to the world a confession of their faith whenever they may think it advisable to do so.”
This leaves the door open to many error’s IMHO.
That said,the Baptists I know are some of the finest loving people who would give you the shirt off their back
Hope all is well with you and your family,dear brother,it’s been awhile.
I have limited time to post this week.
I overstated it. I wasn’t thinking or talking about the local congregation.
Maybe I can get a do-over for clarification.