A problem...

[Rebel]

I've read some of EWF's posts, and his situation interests me because I am in a similar one, kind of opposite, though, but not quite. Let me explain: I am a member of a tiny Baptist church which was established before the Civil War. I would say that we are conservative but not fundamentalist. We are very rural. I am strongly attached to this church, but I don't think we will be able to keep the doors open much longer.

This is a very fundamentalist area, so the Baptist churches here are that. We have some liberal deniminations - PCUSA, TEC, UMC. There is a RC church, SDA, Jehovah's Witness, many Churches of Christ, many Pentecostal denominations, a Church of the Nazarene. If we do close, I have no clue where I would go to church. I don't know of a moderate or moderate/conservative Baptist church within 100 miles. I believe so strongly in believer's baptism and congregational polity that I don't see how I could go to a paedobaptist church. I am also not holiness or Pentecostal. And I'm not a church starter, either, so that would be out. There are a couple of non-denominational churches within 20 miles, but they are "full gospel".

Also, I work out of the area during the week, about an hour commute round trip, so I'm too tired on the weekend to make a long drive to church.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do? I should say that I am in no position to move elsewhere, either. I could maybe go to a Mennonite church, but there are none within two hours of me. At this point, I don't feel I could drive more than 30 minutes one way. I would want to be close enough to a church so I could attend mid-week sometimes.

 

[BobRyan]

Think of the SDA church as "seventh-day Baptist"

 

[PreachTony]

Think of the SDA church as "seventh-day Baptist"

Nope, sorry, Bob. You're a nice guy, but this is not accurate. So long as the SDA's continue to insist that Ellen G White's false prophecies are just as inspired as the Bible, then I would never consider you a part of the "Baptist" church.

There is simply too much heretical doctrine within the SDA... sorry, bud.

 

[Salty]

Think of the SDA church as "seventh-day Baptist"

Actually think of the SDA as a Seventh Day Jehovah Witness - ie a cult.

 

[RLBosley]

What about having the church meet in a home? Assuming that the doors of the building are closing because of finances and not something more serious.

 

[Rebel]

Think of the SDA church as "seventh-day Baptist"

Except it's not quite that. Polity is not congregational. Then I have a problem with worship having to be on Saturday. And also that Sunday worship is or will be the mark of the beast. Also, the investigative judgment doctrine dos not make sense and has no scriptural support. These are a few reasons I don't think I could go to a SDA church.

 

[Rebel]

What about having the church meet in a home? Assuming that the doors of the building are closing because of finances and not something more serious.

I'm afraid there are not enough of us left to even have a house church, not on a regular basis.

 

[Rebel]

Actually think of the SDA as a Seventh Day Jehovah Witness - ie a cult.

I wouldn't call it a cult. I would say they have a few unorthodox doctrines. But they have many conservative, orthodox doctrines, too.

 

[PreachTony]

I wouldn't call it a cult. I would say they have a few unorthodox doctrines. But they have many conservative, orthodox doctrines, too.

Perhaps, but they also hold to Saturday worship being required, with many believing Sunday worship to be the "mark of the beast." According to what I've read, they believe salvation is by grace through faith, but is only maintained through keeping commandments. That reeks awfully of legalism. They also think the Bible is equalled in inspiration and holiness by the writings of Ellen White, who gave the world failed prophecies.

According to White, God "exalted" Jesus to be His Son. That does not teach the eternal existence of Christ as the second member of the Trinity.

White also said that the cross did not complete the atonement for us. I've read where they generally believe God the Father possesses a physical body, and that, in contradiction to the statement of God exalting Jesus to be His Son, they believe God is a unity of three co-eternal persons who are singular in motive but not in substance. But that would create a scenario in which we have multiple gods. It's confusing, especially in light of the "exalted" statement from earlier.

 

[annsni]

Have you done some deeper digging? I wonder if there are other churches that just aren't as well advertised/visible in your area. We were meeting in a warehouse for a while and I know other churches meet in movie theaters, schools and the like.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Any "old school " Baptists about the area....ie Old Regular or Primitive Baptists?

 

[Rebel]

Have you done some deeper digging? I wonder if there are other churches that just aren't as well advertised/visible in your area. We were meeting in a warehouse for a while and I know other churches meet in movie theaters, schools and the like.

Believe me, I have dug deep enough that I'll soon emerge on the other side of the earth!

 

[Rebel]

Any "old school " Baptists about the area....ie Old Regular or Primitive Baptists?

There's a Primitive Baptist church about 30 miles away.

 

[McCree79]

I've read some of EWF's posts, and his situation interests me because I am in a similar one, kind of opposite, though, but not quite. Let me explain: I am a member of a tiny Baptist church which was established before the Civil War. I would say that we are conservative but not fundamentalist. We are very rural. I am strongly attached to this church, but I don't think we will be able to keep the doors open much longer.

This is a very fundamentalist area, so the Baptist churches here are that. We have some liberal deniminations - PCUSA, TEC, UMC. There is a RC church, SDA, Jehovah's Witness, many Churches of Christ, many Pentecostal denominations, a Church of the Nazarene. If we do close, I have no clue where I would go to church. I don't know of a moderate or moderate/conservative Baptist church within 100 miles. I believe so strongly in believer's baptism and congregational polity that I don't see how I could go to a paedobaptist church. I am also not holiness or Pentecostal. And I'm not a church starter, either, so that would be out. There are a couple of non-denominational churches within 20 miles, but they are "full gospel".

Also, I work out of the area during the week, about an hour commute round trip, so I'm too tired on the weekend to make a long drive to church.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do? I should say that I am in no position to move elsewhere, either. I could maybe go to a Mennonite church, but there are none within two hours of me. At this point, I don't feel I could drive more than 30 minutes one way. I would want to be close enough to a church so I could attend mid-week sometimes.

Dang dude....that's rough. You live in Vermont or something.... Where is the SBC at?

How sure are you that the doors will close? Is it a sure thing? If primitive Baptist is 30 miles away, may try that. Unless you are on back roads and having to drive 35-45. That would create a very long drive.

Among the options you listed, I would explore the nondenominational churches. See what you think. I will be praying for you brother.

 

[Rebel]

Dang dude....that's rough. You live in Vermont or something.... Where is the SBC at?

How sure are you that the doors will close? Is it a sure thing? If primitive Baptist is 30 miles away, may try that. Unless you are on back roads and having to drive 35-45. That would create a very long drive.

Among the options you listed, I would explore the nondenominational churches. See what you think. I will be praying for you brother.

I can't go with the SBC.

It's a sure thing that we can't continue much longer like this.

I couldn't go with PBs because of the 5-point Calvinism anyway.

Every non-denominational church around here is full gospel.

Thanks for your prayers.

 

[Salty]

I can't go with the SBC.

Why not?....

 

[annsni]

There's a Primitive Baptist church about 30 miles away.

30 miles is what we do each week and we have to open the building. It's tough to get all of the kids out of the house now! We have to be on the road about 7:30 to be there a little after 8 to be ready for a 9 am service.

 

[McCree79]

I can't go with the SBC.

It's a sure thing that we can't continue much longer like this.

I couldn't go with PBs because of the 5-point Calvinism anyway.

Every non-denominational church around here is full gospel.

Thanks for your prayers.

By full gospel, do you mean charismatic?

 

[Reformed]

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

I would move close to a solid church or put up with the long commute on the Lord's Day morning.

 

[Rebel]

By full gospel, do you mean charismatic?

Yes.............