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doulos said:


Let me add this little note about SBC polity, you don't MAKE a Southern Baptist Church do anything. The Convention isn't like a Catholic diocese or whatever that has direct authority over the churches, they are all pretty well autonomous and everything is done by majority rule. No official elders as a general rule except in those churches with at least a reformed history of some kind.

The churches in the convention are connected by 'cooperation', more than anything. What that means is that they will have a heck of a time convincing anyone to disfellowship a church even for doctrinal reasons which is why we have churches all through the spectrum from Saddleback to Dever's church in Washington, D.C.

As for a new denomination, I don't know if it will fall out like that or not Pete. These reformed types are pretty hard headed. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Josh,

It's good to hear from you again. Being brought up in a Reformed church I don't know a lot about Baptist polity. In my formative years I always looked at Baptist churches as Christian churches that don't have a lot of doctrine. Some of my Baptist friends would tell me "don't give me doctine, just give me Jesus." Sounds simple doesn't it? From the description you've made it appears that SB churches are loosely associated with each other and governed by democracy rather that theology. That can mean one holds to one doctrine and another to a different one depending on majority vote in that congregation. It's interesting to me that some embrace Calvinism and others call it heretical. I think the lines are drawn between Arminianism and Calvinism within those churches. However, these views are so much in opposition that they should be seperate denominations. Perhaps the main teaching that brings Baptists together is credobaptism.

OBTW I don't think reformed types have a monopoly of hard headedness. In discussions I've had with fellow Christians from Baptists and Reformed backgrounds there seems to be a lot of that going around. Maybe it has to do with the fact that by nature we are a stiff necked and stubborn people who rebel against God and want our own way. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bash.gif" alt="" />


Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts