IFB compared to Baptist churches

[joey]

Hi everyone, you probably won't remember me because I was only a "beginner" contributor before my family had to move cities at the end of the year and I was unsure I was going to attend another Baptist church as I don't drive and my husband is a shift-worker.

Well now after we finally bought our house in the country town and moved in (bank played so many games :BangHead: ) I actually found a very small local Baptist church! :godisgood:

I discovered when I went there that it is an independent Baptist church. I didn't mind the old-fashioned music and hymn books and I was pleasantly surprised that the pastor was openly "God chooses us, not vice versa".
I also noticed that he only uses the KJV (no issues there, I've already downloaded it on my iTablet).

Is there anything else I should know about or be prepared for? When I met the pastor's wife and had a little chat she said that they actually have a bus that brings in people from the local town because of their stance on the Bible and other beliefs.

 

[DHK]

It sounds like you are in a church. :thumbs:

 

[Don]

Can't give you any comparisons about IFB to baptist churches; they're both baptist. <grin> I can, however, offer some suggestions about how to check out this church.

First, pay attention to what they preach/teach, and compare it to scripture. If something doesn't match up, ask and discuss.

Second, know what distinguishes baptists from other denominations, like Pentecostals; if you already know that, then pay attention to what this church preaches/teaches and ensure that they're baptist.

Third, ask for a church constitution and/or statement of beliefs. Look it over closely, especially on their doctrinal statement; and compare it to scripture.

Finally, feel free to ask for their financial statement. This will show how they feel about accountability; it also helps determine if there's any "unevenness" about what they're spending the money on (by that I mean, is there anything that looks like a questionable expenditure).

 

[dcorbett]

I am IFB....all IFB churches are exactly what their title says...Independent. But we all profess the Baptist distinctives
that make us "Baptist" - and you will be fine.....:saint:

If you have any questions, PM me here, and I will be happy
to answer them as best I can.

Debbie Mc

 

[Salty]

I am IFB....all IFB churches are exactly what their title says...Independent. ...

and that is what makes them so different from other Baptist in many different ways.

Salty

and remember - even Southern Baptists are independent

 

[glfredrick]

and that is what makes them so different from other Baptist in many different ways.

Salty

and remember - even Southern Baptists are independent

Indeed... One of the hallmarks of all Baptist churches is that they are local and autonomous. That some chose to cooperate together to do larger projects like national and world missions does not mean that they are not yet independent.

What I have seen as one of the distinctives of the IFB congregation, however, is this idea that they STAND ALONE -- which is not an orthodox Christian doctrine. We stand TOGETHER as Christ's Bride and to that extent we should disavow ourselves of this radical separation from other bodies of like faith and practice. Christ is ALL about unity and prayed so in one of His last acts on earth before facing the Cross that made His prayer effective and possible.

 

[InTheLight]

Is there anything else I should know about or be prepared for?

I've attended all sorts of Baptist churches over the years and currently attend an IFB. Look for:

1. Frequent and emphatic denunciation of most aspects of modern culture: music, movies, TV, possibly sports. There is a lot to criticize about modern culture and it needs to be preached against. Be wary of the reasons given, however.

2. Belief that drinking alcohol is a sin. Belief that Jesus turned the water into grape juice at Cana, not wine.

3. Dress standards, at least within the church staff, but also possibly for the congregation. This means ties and jackets for the men and dresses or skirts for the women.

4. Emphasis on being in church attendance whenever the doors are open. Subtle implication being that those that attend the most are the most spiritual.

5. Tithing PLUS special offerings, like for missions, or building fund, or bus ministry, or whatever.

6. Since they are KJV, prayer style of the 1700's. Example: "We thank thee Heavenly Father for all thy blessings thou bestowest upon us..." LOL. Also, since they are KJV they may or may not be antagonistic towards modern versions.

While I don't agree with these stances none of them are reasons to not attend the church. If the preaching is solid and I'm growing spiritually, I simply ignore these side issues. BUT, if the side issues become main themes, then I would reconsider.

 

[DaChaser1]

Hi everyone, you probably won't remember me because I was only a "beginner" contributor before my family had to move cities at the end of the year and I was unsure I was going to attend another Baptist church as I don't drive and my husband is a shift-worker.

Well now after we finally bought our house in the country town and moved in (bank played so many games :BangHead: ) I actually found a very small local Baptist church! :godisgood:

I discovered when I went there that it is an independent Baptist church. I didn't mind the old-fashioned music and hymn books and I was pleasantly surprised that the pastor was openly "God chooses us, not vice versa".
I also noticed that he only uses the KJV (no issues there, I've already downloaded it on my iTablet).

Is there anything else I should know about or be prepared for? When I met the pastor's wife and had a little chat she said that they actually have a bus that brings in people from the local town because of their stance on the Bible and other beliefs.

based my limited experiences here in Mi with the IBF bethren...

2 big concerns would be regarding IF they were KJVO church, as they traditional become cultic in that view, and would disparge ANY use of any other version...

other would be tend to at times become somewhat legalistic in how to live for the lord...

NOT saying all IBF are, but 2 I have dealt with in MI were basically idea we are the 'true/real " baptists!

 

[Van]

Here is a link to some background information. I have not read it all, but certainly it contains shall we say questionable assertions. However, I think it provides sufficient information for whoever to know what to study and what to question concerning the doctrines of a local IFB church.

http://bible-truth.org/BaptistHistory.html

 

[thomas15]

There is an IFB church literally within a mile of my rural home. I choose to drive 50 miles round trip for something more my style. No question about it, visit my local IFB church you will hear the gospel. Ours is the KJVO type and the first time I went there I took an NIV, this has the assistant pastor convinced that I'm not saved HA HA!

Anyway, good advice about getting the churches statement of faith. Actually, while the preaching is good, if you are looking for a deep theological discussion, you will not find it at my local IFB church. This is very funny in a way because I once told the youth pastor that I considered myself a dispensationalist and he thought that was funny in a snide kind of way.

They also try to make it seem like they support about 70 missionaries. This is technically true but the way they do it is send a lump sum of money to their (only) church approved missions board and the board splits up the money. No way could a church this size support 70 missionaries in the traditional way! Secondary separation is alive and well at this church.

Having said all this I do go there from time to time.

 

[glfredrick]

Before I arrived at my current church (called as pastor) the church started a relationship with a KJVO IFB congregation. We provide space for them to meet.

The handwriting is on the wall. It is only a matter of time before we have to deal with them and the church discovers that the money they made (if they ever pay us...) was not worth the fight. I'm waiting for the day when one of their members launches the first shot over our bow for having <gasp> other translations in our church and for calling us a bunch of Satan worshippers for that. That will be their official first and last shot, then they will be looking for a new home.

 

[InTheLight]

Before I arrived at my current church (called as pastor) the church started a relationship with a KJVO IFB congregation. We provide space for them to meet.

The handwriting is on the wall. It is only a matter of time before we have to deal with them and the church discovers that the money they made (if they ever pay us...) was not worth the fight. I'm waiting for the day when one of their members launches the first shot over our bow for having <gasp> other translations in our church and for calling us a bunch of Satan worshippers for that. That will be their official first and last shot, then they will be looking for a new home.

You would kick out a congregation based on the opinions of a member? I can see possibly doing it if the pastor were to say something along the lines you've described, but not a member.

 

[glfredrick]

You would kick out a congregation based on the opinions of a member? I can see possibly doing it if the pastor were to say something along the lines you've described, but not a member.

Depends on the level of contention...

I won't tolerate some form of unbiblical legalism that foments rebellion in my own loving congregation -- even from "just a member."

But, I am also very willing to form a loving bond with the same people if it works out that way. I hold a doctrine of universal church for the redeemed and I would greatly prefer that we partner in our own God-gifted ways for the kingdom.

 

[gb93433]

There is an IFB church literally within a mile of my rural home. I choose to drive 50 miles round trip for something more my style. No question about it, visit my local IFB church you will hear the gospel. Ours is the KJVO type and the first time I went there I took an NIV, this has the assistant pastor convinced that I'm not saved HA HA!

At the first church I pastored some time went by and a man told me that they could not figure out what Bible I was preaching from. So he asked me what Bible I used. I told the Greek New Testament. He never said another word. I found out later that he was KJVO. Not one of those people ever approached me again and I continued to use my UBS 4th revised. Later when he brought up about how bad the other translations were I told him to use his Bible and win people to Jesus. There was a lady who was about 70 and she preferred her KJV for personal reasons. She won people to Jesus and the man did not.

 

[InTheLight]

At the first church I pastored some time went by and a man told me that they could not figure out what Bible I was preaching from. So he asked me what Bible I used. I told the Greek New Testament. He never said another word. I found out later that he was KJVO. Not one of those people ever approached me again and I continued to use my UBS 4th revised.

Love it!!!

 

[joey]

I've attended all sorts of Baptist churches over the years and currently attend an IFB. Look for:

1. Frequent and emphatic denunciation of most aspects of modern culture: music, movies, TV, possibly sports. There is a lot to criticize about modern culture and it needs to be preached against. Be wary of the reasons given, however.

2. Belief that drinking alcohol is a sin. Belief that Jesus turned the water into grape juice at Cana, not wine.

3. Dress standards, at least within the church staff, but also possibly for the congregation. This means ties and jackets for the men and dresses or skirts for the women.

4. Emphasis on being in church attendance whenever the doors are open. Subtle implication being that those that attend the most are the most spiritual.

5. Tithing PLUS special offerings, like for missions, or building fund, or bus ministry, or whatever.

6. Since they are KJV, prayer style of the 1700's. Example: "We thank thee Heavenly Father for all thy blessings thou bestowest upon us..." LOL. Also, since they are KJV they may or may not be antagonistic towards modern versions.

While I don't agree with these stances none of them are reasons to not attend the church. If the preaching is solid and I'm growing spiritually, I simply ignore these side issues. BUT, if the side issues become main themes, then I would reconsider.

Thanks for those points you've given.

I noticed the women were wearing skirts and dresses but I also noticed how hot that building was. My other baptist church in South Australia most women wore nice trousers but the climate was cooler.

I also noticed the families were larger than in most of the other churches I have attended. Is that a co-incidence or are larger families encouraged?

I don't remember the pastor using thees and thous when he prayed.

I'll definitely keep my ear out for any hints that the church believes they are the one true church. Very unhealthy way of thinking.

 

[joey]

Indeed... One of the hallmarks of all Baptist churches is that they are local and autonomous. That some chose to cooperate together to do larger projects like national and world missions does not mean that they are not yet independent.

What I have seen as one of the distinctives of the IFB congregation, however, is this idea that they STAND ALONE -- which is not an orthodox Christian doctrine. We stand TOGETHER as Christ's Bride and to that extent we should disavow ourselves of this radical separation from other bodies of like faith and practice. Christ is ALL about unity and prayed so in one of His last acts on earth before facing the Cross that made His prayer effective and possible.

Knowing that IFB churches seem to hold a pro-isolationionist position is one thing that made me uncomfortable. The pastor didn't say anything about his church versus others though.

 

[Don]

Joey,
In the Light and I agree on a lot of things; let me condense his list down to this: Watch out for any preaching on standards that makes the standards seem biblical.

It's easy to come here and see all the negative comments about IFB churches; I refer you back to my response to you, and suggest you really look at those items. For any IFB church, these will be "quick indicators" that something's not right.

As for those standards, you may hear the preacher talk about women wearing dresses; the "proof" that this is a problem is: 1) if your wife/daughters wear something other than dresses, and they say something to you about it; and/or 2) the pastor preaches against dresses, but you then see *his* wife/daughters wearing pants/shorts around the house or around town (something I personally saw in one church I attended).

While I used dresses, it applies to any topic (tithing, men wearing ties, etc.).

 

[gb93433]

I've attended all sorts of Baptist churches over the years and currently attend an IFB. Look for:

1. Frequent and emphatic denunciation of most aspects of modern culture: music, movies, TV, possibly sports. There is a lot to criticize about modern culture and it needs to be preached against. Be wary of the reasons given, however.

Do they denounce electricity too? How about a telephone? The Amish have very good reasons for not having one in their homes. Shouldn't forget a car too. However many of them have cell phones?

2. Belief that drinking alcohol is a sin. Belief that Jesus turned the water into grape juice at Cana, not wine.

How many drink 50 proof Nyquil? I wonder how long that grape juice would last in that warm weather? I assume they would not agree with the Amish who have a vineyard by their house.

3. Dress standards, at least within the church staff, but also possibly for the congregation. This means ties and jackets for the men and dresses or skirts for the women.

Do the women wear dresses below the ankle when they get the cows in to milk them like women wore last century? Do their men wear a top when swimming?

4. Emphasis on being in church attendance whenever the doors are open. Subtle implication being that those that attend the most are the most spiritual.

Do they keep up with the Catholic Church by having at least one service each day too? So between work, eating, and church attendance when do they do evangelism and discipleship out in the world or are they exempt from that?

5. Tithing PLUS special offerings, like for missions, or building fund, or bus ministry, or whatever.

They tithe? The tithe was when Judaism and the government were one and so they only give 10% total to the government and church? Or do they give 23-1/3% per year to the government and church?

6. Since they are KJV, prayer style of the 1700's. Example: "We thank thee Heavenly Father for all thy blessings thou bestowest upon us..." LOL. Also, since they are KJV they may or may not be antagonistic towards modern versions.

Do they also speak the same language of the KJV style of the 1700's? I wonder what the people did before English came into existence? It would be great to hear them use their KJV English in talking with people at work and home in their daily lives. After all the KJV English is a special brand of English today, but certainly the disciples were not as spiritual as them because they used Koine (Common) Greek of the day.

 

[gb93433]

The Bible teaches that you measure spirituality by relationship by which one cannot boast, but some churches teach that spirituality is measurable by a list of do's and dont's by which you can boast.