What's the difference in independent baptists and southern baptists?

I am not positive on the differences but I think I can give a little insight. If I say anything wrong about Southern Baptist please don't take it personal and I would appreciate anyone correcting me. I am an Independent Baptist and have only been one for about 3 years so it is a little new to me also. It is my understanding that Southern Baptist seem to be a little more liberal in many areas ... worship styles, music, separation. I know personally in my town the Southern Baptist do not preach against social drinking and my church definately takes a stand when it comes to any kind of drinking. Also as Independent Baptists we are not affiliated with any other church. That does not mean we do not associate with any other churhes, we do if they are of like faith, but we do not hold meetings and such about doctorinal issues with them. We are an independent body and are not governed by any other authority but the Local New Testament Church. These are just a few differences. I'm sure there are many more.

 

I just read you latest post about wearing pants if you are a woman. In my church is it not allowed if you are in a position of service, such as Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Deacon, something of that sort. It is preached that women are to wear dresses but it is not required of just regular members. After joining an IBC I stuggled with the issue of wearing dresses. I very much wanted to serve the Lord and sing in the choir among other things. It took me a few months to finally make the decision and I am so glad I chose to get rid of my pants. Yes, I have to say at times it would be much more convenient to put on a pair of pants to run to the grocery store, but I feel very strongly that God does desire women to be different from men.

 

Independent Baptists are not part of any denominational organization, such as the Southern Baptist Convention. Generally speaking (and this differs greatly from church to church) Independent Baptists and Southern Baptists tend to have about the same doctrinal stance. The biggest difference would be in the way they practice separation. Personal separation tends to differ in both groups from church to church, but Independent Baptists tend to have a stronger stance on ecclesiastical separation.

 

PreacherDave & I are independent (small "i") Baptists. We do not believe that women cannot wear pants. In many circumstances pants can be more modest than dresses! We believe this is a matter of personal conviction.
We believe clothing on men & women should be modest (not leading others astray by what is or isn't shown, nor being too tight, nor suggesting too much), clean, & obviously clothing made for the sex of the person wearing it.
Some men's clothing is more feminine than some women's (as some in the clothing industry are deliberately trying to confuse the sexes). If a gal puts on a shirt originally labelled "men's" but it is feminine & leaves no one confused on that point--fine. That's no one's business but hers & her husband's, before God.
All of that aside, we believe that, living under grace, our guidance comes from the examples in the NT: holiness of life, attitude & speech, dress that is modest: doesn't copy the worldliness that confuses the sexes, makes people look like rock or movie stars (my comments on tattoos & such are appropriate here) but rather speak of Christian love & dignity, and refraining from things that are obviously "sin" in the Bible: drunkedness, lewd, permiscuous, ungodly speech & activity in books & movies,and a life centered around Christ rather than the world.
We have fun as a family (we don't think it's sinful to play card games or watch a family-styled movie); we enjoy God's creation, and we don't look like we suck on lemons!
I guess some people equate "independent" Baptists with extremism. Many of us aren't into that; we can't speak for those who are.

 

Javalady,

It's great to meet some more independent Baptists. Have you always been an independent Baptist or did you join the church when you were older? Just curious because I just joined a few years ago and I just love my new church.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kellisa:
It is my understanding that Southern Baptist seem to be a little more liberal in many areas ... worship styles, music, separation. I know personally in my town the Southern Baptist do not preach against social drinking and my church definately takes a stand when it comes to any kind of drinking.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kellisa, I have no idea which region of Oklahoma you live, but in my region of Oklahoma the Southern Baptists do preach and take a stance again alcohol in any form. I was raised in an IFB church from the time of my birth, but would visit with friends and relatives at their SBC on many occasions. I'm now a member of one of these churches. In fact there is no big difference in the way the SB conduct services compared to the IF conducting services. The biggest difference is women wearing pants, dresses that are a certain length, no shorts...in other words, a dress code. Another difference it missions, IB's support individual missionaries. I do realize that the difference in these two groups does depend, it seems, in the area which you live. In other words, some SB's are more conservative than liberal. Not all IB's are the same nor are all SB's the same.
Sue

 

Thomas is right on about the basic differences between Southern and Independent Baptists.

The questions about standards point to another important distinction. Independent Baptists don't really have a party line on standards, at least they shouldn't. After all, they are "independent." I understand that Southern Baptists probably vary a lot in standards too, but the spirit of individual church autonomy is much stronger among the Independents.

 

SuekieLyn

Thank you for setting me straight on that. Like I said in my first post I am fairly new to IB so I am still learning. Drinking is probably preached against from the pulpit. That doesn't mean that all members practice that (like any other church). I do know that at an SB church in my city that my friend was a member of advised them to go out to bars to meet people or socialize. But like you said everyone is different. Also one of the reasons I said SB were more liberal in thier services is because I know quite a few who have praise teams which tend to be a little more on the contemporary side.

 

Independent Baptist churches such as ours sends out missionaries, the missionaries are authorized and answer to the local church that sent them. All the missionaries support goes to the missionary, not to support a mision board.

Each church is autonomous, there is no higher authority, except the Lord. Our pastor is the undershepherd under the Great Shepherd, and no he IS NOT a dictator, he is a leader. Very big difference.

Southern Baptist: the missionaries are controled by a mission board, not by the local church.


Ernie

 

Brother Ernie has pointed out my biggest concern regarding the SBC. In my opinion, the CP is not only unbiblical, but anti-biblical. The local churches have virtually nothing to say about what missionaries are supported, how much they are supported, or have any input to their doctrine, nor any supervision at all over those missionaries.

 

How can you argue about a Program that is EXTRA-biblical (not anti-biblical) when it is the most effective denominational missionary contribution system in the world? More people have heard the gospel of Christ than if the CP did not exist. Paying a pastor to be the leader of a congregation is not "biblical" either, but a whole lot if IFB churches do it!

Daniel Payne

 

Thomas wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> The local churches have virtually nothing to say about what missionaries are supported, how much they are supported, or have any input to their doctrine, nor any supervision at all over those missionaries. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not true. Local churches may designate their CP gifts as they wish, right down to nations, people groups, or certain missionaries. Local churches supply the messengers to the SBC who vote on doctrinal requirements and local churches supply the members of the board who approves or disapproves of missionary appointments.

 

Gasp!!! Daniel and I on the same side of an issue??

 

Tom, why spend all that extra money on buildings, secretaries, Directors, Field Supervisors, etc., etc., etc.? Why not just allow the local churches to send, support, and supervise the missionaries? And take all that money spent on extraneous things such as above, and send even more missionaries?

 

I an answer to the first question asked, &lt;Click Here&gt;.

The thing I would have liked to add to that answer was the King James Bible is mainly used in the type of church described in this explaination. Some churches that fit this description do not use the KJB, but they are the same churches that find comprimises on the issues described. A true Independent English speaking Baptist Church in order to avoid comprimise will use the KJB.

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John Michael McCauley IV
ICorinthians 9:16 + Ephesians 6:18-20
The Plan of Salvation.

Join the King James Bible Believers team at UD.com and use your computer to help fight cancer.

 

Dr. Cassidy,
If you check, you'll see that not much waste goes on at either mission board. 100% of special offerings go to direct mission support. And most of the offices you list don't even exist. The SBC method is certainly better than putting a missionary on a field for 3 months then force him off for 3 years to raise his money to go back for 3 more months.

 

Actually Tv, if a missionary goes on deputation and raises support for 18 months to 2 years and raises support from many different churches on a monthly basis, then a missionary virtually never has to come back to the states. He and his family may come back on furlough, but that would mainly be just to let their supporting churches have a personal update and rarely needs more support. Plus most Ind. Baptist mission boards are supported(like missionaries) by churches on a monthly or quarterly basis, so there is no overhead on the missionary's support. $1 out of $1 is given to the missionary with no need to support the overhead at all.

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John Michael McCauley IV
ICorinthians 9:16 + Ephesians 6:18-20
The Plan of Salvation.

Join the King James Bible Believers team on UD.com and use your computer to help fight cancer.