Associationalism

Related, the group he mentions in the beginning has a website here:
Minnesota Baptist Association of Churches

 

Probably a few reasons for that, one being that (for better or worse) the SBC is the largest body in the US, so more people would be familiar with it. Also, the SBC organization (at least on the surface) may be simpler to understand in that they basically took the association model used in local associations and state conventions and extended it to their national body. The northern system was society based, without a centralized national convention until 1907.

An interesting thing about the Minnesota Baptist Convention (now association), if I remember correctly, is that they were the only state organization that the liberal element of the NBC was not able to control. I have A Light in the Darkness: a History of the Minnesota Baptist Association, by Ballentine and Midgley, but it has been a very long time since I read it.

 

No, Arizona as well:

Biography of R.S. Beal, pastor of First Baptist, Tucson

"...The next month the Arizona Baptists [met and]....voted to withdraw from the NBC....An almost identical scenario was played out in Minnesota."

 

Thanks. Good to have that information. If I ever knew that I had forgotten it.

 

Have any of you others had any experience with an association that is very loosely associated with the SBC, known as the AFCC (American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches) out of Waxahachie, TX? My bride and I are members of a local SBC church, but I am also associated with a local Cowboy church here in the area through their Tuesday night Bible studies. I have found them to be a very Scriptural organization, preaching the Word and making disciples through their small groups programs. My wife and I have visited the Cowboy church in our area several times, and I often feel more at home there than I do at my own home church. Hase anyone ever really checked them out? If so, could you give me an HONEST evaluation of what you think they're like? Thanks. Bro. Tony

 

I do not have any particular experience with the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches. However, since no one who does has stepped up, I thought I would make a few comments. First off, for full disclosure, I do not like the idea of niche churches, that is, marketed to appeal to a special group of people.

In our area, we have at least one church that affiliates with the AFCC. I thought the church was also SBC-affiliated, but their website says that they are interdenominational, and they also are not in the list of SBC churches on sbc.net. So, I suppose they must not be in the Southern Baptist Convention. Despite my not liking the idea of niche churches, I must say this church and her pastor have a good reputation, and seem to be pretty solid in both their beliefs and practices -- especially the latter in the sense that they practice what they preach.

I don't have much to offer in the way of experience, but perhaps these comments might be of some benefit.

 

I had been to a couple of services in the past when I went to a rodeo or to a riding event, though I no longer ride. The preachers are good men of God. They seem to have their spiritual lives in order. Most of the one's I've spoken with don't like the term "Non-denominational," but would prefer "Multi-denominational." Most I've come across are linked to the SBC in the fact that an SBC church allows them to use a building, and that many of them give to one of the mission programs of the cooperative. They aren't particularly SBC, though. I like that. No matter what denomination they are from if they don't hold to the Biblical distinctives set forth in the Scriptures and the AFCC guidelines on Scriptural participation, they're dealt with pretty quickly "unassociated." They can join another "Cowboy Church" organization. There are different "Associations" inside the Cowboy churches, just as there are within the Baptist denomination. But, these churches are usually all proving themselves to be Biblically based Christians first, and denominational last. It's more about the Biblical relationship and growth in Christ than it is about the denominations. I appreciate that. For the time being, my wife and I are staying with our HOME church in the SBC, but believe the Lord is opening the doors towards Cowboy Church involvement.