The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Women in Southern Baptist Pulpits? Southern Baptists, You Own This

Read the bad news here: Women in Southern Baptist Pulpits? Southern Baptists, You Own This

Pilgrim

This is something that I have known for quite some time.
Fortunately, there are organizations such as Founders who
are fighting tooth and nail against liberalism in their denomination.

Every Tuesday, I watch a podcast called ‘The Sword & the Trowel Podcast’,
to the issues of our day, that effect the Church.

The SBC, of course is only one denomination that is being
attacked by liberalism, in the name of “loving your neighbor”.
Most conservative denominations are under attack and unfortunately
many pastors are falling prey to their schemes.

Tom

Just wondering WHY? if the SBC has been on a steady decline for decades and is now rapidly moving toward apostasy do those fighting against still really believe they can turn things around (humanly speaking, of course)? Why not follow the Baptist 'tradition' and start something new and leave the denomination that is conservative/biblical?

Obviously, I can’t answer for them.
However, I can make some observations.

There are indeed Churches that are leaving the SBC.

Organizations such as Founders, have actually been able to slow and even stop certain liberal things within the denomination.

A few years ago Founders President Tom Ascol ran for President of the SBC, however did not get in.

On the Sword & Trowel Podcast, on occasion they dedicate podcasts on what is happening in the SBC. Sometimes they give good news and sometimes bad news.
It is very clear Founders and others are dedicated (as their name suggests) to getting the denomination back to the Founders of the SBCs Reformed Baptist roots.

It is very clear also, that leaving and starting a new denomination does not guarantee the new denomination, stays on the straight and narrow. Some faithful pastors and theologians leave and some choose to stay and fight the liberalism.

I have left Churches over the years, because they strayed from their statement of faith; but not before trying to do something about it.
Others stayed and were basically asked to leave by the elders.

One pastor I know, was happy in a Church he pastored in Northern Edmonton. However, a Church was looking for a pastor kept calling him, and to make a long story short he eventually excepted the call to that Church.
About a year later, because he tried to stop the emergent Church garbage that was happening in the Church was forced to leave.
He then started a new Church with some of the people who supported him, and a few years later my wife and I started going to that Church. My wife and I moved last year to a smaller city; but we still appreciate that pastor and that Church.

Sorry, some of that was a rabbit trail; but I hope you understand my point.

Every church/person has to decide whether to stay and fight or leave. Personally, to stay in a denomination/church that has gone as far as the SBC has doctrinally and in practice and do nothing is not an option Scripture condones/allows. One of the criteria that one must consider is where that denomination/church is spending one's tithes/offerings. Can such an organization be supported when it gets to this point? One church I was a member of refused to pay any money to the denomination nor support its seminary. As you might guess, things came to a head after a short period of time and the church not willing to support the denomination regardless of the pressures and/or threats voted unanimously to leave the denomination and continue to spend their money on conservative Reformed organizations, ministries, schools, etc. Even Luther had to finally come to realize that nothing he could say or do would make a wit of difference to bring about the necessary change to the RCC and left. Too often individuals base their decision to stay regardless of how far gone their church/denomination is on emotionalism; e.g.,. all our friends are here, there is no other place to go, we like the music and social programs, etc. Sorry, but you cannot mix darkness and light, good and evil, the church with the world.

One thing about Baptist Churches is that each are independent
The Baptist Churches I have belonged to over the years stayed with the
Denomination, mainly because their official statement of faith was solid;
Regardless of the fact that many Churches within had become liberal.
One Church I went to, from year to year they evaluated whether to leave or not.
That was in another city I lived in and I understand; that that particular Church, now
has embraced the 1689 LBCF as their official statement of Faith. Rather than the denomination’s
statement of faith.
Not sure whether or not that means they actually left the denomination.

As far as staying in a Church just because of friends and relatives are there.
That is definitely the wrong reason to stay; for when a Church stops being biblical on
the essentials. Such as following the Social Justice Movement; they have crossed the line.
In those cases, don’t just leave, run!

Tom