Hunt steps down from SBC candidacy

OK Joseph...I see and get your point so I guess I should modify my question.

Is there any Biblical mandate for the local churches to create and support the "convention" or "fellowship" as an organization?

While,as I previously said,I am currently a member of an SBC church(and I try to designate most of my giving because I do not care for some of the things the convention supports through the cooperative program)my background was IFB churches previously,but the same holds true for IFB "fellowships".Where is the scriptural mandate AND authority?

It seems to me that many times these conventions and fellowships....sometimes better known as preacher clubs..lol...tend to vote on things and issue edicts and guidelines that the member churches must follow in order to remain in good standing.That's just the impression I've gotten over the years.You'd think they were political conventions....God help us.

Greg Sr.

 

Greg,

If you feel that way, why are you SBC?

That's not meant as an accusation...I'm just curious.

 

rbell,Gotta keep this short cause I got to get ready for church but(and it CAN BE a looong story)an SBC church is where I "surfaced" after a long season out of fellowship with the Lord.Sadly,I have been through multiple divorces(they left and divorced me..not the other way around)and it seems the IFB churches I had attended earlier in my christian life don't have a clue how to handle or treat folks like me in a non-pharisee way.There were other personal reasons I decided to "park" here..the most important being that the Lord has shown me GREAT GRACE here through the STRONG Bible preaching of a wonderful man of God and helped me get my feet back on the Rock! That said,there are still things that I don't agree with even in this church.I'm just trying to not "major on minors" anymore like I did in earlier days.I'm trying to focus my heart and mind on the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in His Grace everyday.I want to be faithful to Him.I'll never agree with all the deeds or works of men...no matter how well-intentioned.God Bless You.

Greg Sr.

 

What Biblical mandate is there for us to meet in a Church Building with pews, a stage, hymnals, etc...?

Didn't the early Church meet in homes?

Yes. There are things a Church could do which would cause the Convention to disfellowship it. The Church itself, however, remains independent and autonomous because they can continue doing what they want. They will just do it without the name and cooperation of SBC. For example, if a Church ordained a homosexual, we can't stop them from doing it. They won't be a member of the SBC anymore, though. This would also only happen with the vote of the independent, autonomous churches at the convention. IOW, the local churches run the convention and not the other way around.

Joseph Botwinick