-
Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Fundamental Baptists: At What Point Does a Church Become a Cult?
- Thread starter NoQuieroUnQueso
- Start date
If this is not a food joke, I would find it troublesome!
It's hard to say, since you are actively in the situation and we are far removed. Nevertheless, I would recommend a cautious watch against these tendencies growing into a full-blown pastoral dictator complex. Because of the circumstances, it may be that he is just over-reacting to the criticism you mentioned and will settle back into the past norm. But if he feeds these tendencies it could get out of control. There are lots of good Independent Fundamental Baptist pastors, and there are some who have spun out of control so that they thought they were answerable to none -- even God.
I have. Do y'all even know what pork is?Obviously, y'all ain't never been to Texas.
Well, to be fair, we have a Texas style BBQ in town, and their jalapeño cheddar sausage is divine.
NoQuieroUnQueso, sorry for the diversion.
I have started a thread for those who wish to continue talking about the Best BBQ.
I have started a thread for those who wish to continue talking about the Best BBQ.
This would come under the heading of "Dog bites man" not news --- "Man bites dog" major news story
Unfortunately, just a few (so called) IFB makes all the others look bad. Now, some Baptists just call themselves "Independent Baptists" leaving out the "fundamental"
NoQuieroUnQueso
Member
That's okay. I honestly like all BBQ if it's edible. Some good ol' grilled pork ribs and a cob of roasted corn, and I'm happy!
My IFB church does not believe, nor follow, ANY man-made doctrines of faith/worship. We are strictly Sola Scriptura. And that includes the false, man-made KJVO myth, preterism, calvinism, and many other "isms" that try to add man-made baggage to worship.
And no pastor should make a joke in fronta his congregation that could be taken as a racial or cultural slur, intended or not. remember Billy Graham's "theme song", Just As I am.
And no pastor should make a joke in fronta his congregation that could be taken as a racial or cultural slur, intended or not. remember Billy Graham's "theme song", Just As I am.
Typical Baptist they turn a post into a food blog... Mention any kind of supper and the Baptist are first in line... Not only are they first, they brought their own plate... It takes one to know one... One particular Pastor I remember long gone to be with the Lord, would go through the line filling his plate and tasting what was on his plate as he went through... He was known to comment this is really delicious and if I wasn't a married man I would marry the sister that made it... Right Now!... Btw... What Pastor makes a heretical comment about fried chicken or tacos at the wedding supper... Everyone knows it going to be Angel Food Cake... Brother Glen
So you prefer ribs & beansY'all best stick to fried chicken, then, and leave the BBQ to the pros in Eastern North Carolina.
See, I'm all in favor of some good natured joking about regional food...but I just don't know about the pastor's remarks.
GoodTidings
Well-Known Member
Have you ever had one of those moments when something sounded really funny in your head, but turned out not to be nearly as funny when it came out of your mouth? Not being able to see his body language, it is impossible to be 100% sure, but it sounds like a clumsy attempt at humor.
I joke around sometimes about there being chocolate in Heaven and that it grows on trees. Everyone knows I am kidding. I would give him the benefit of the doubt that he was not trying to establish doctrine but was just trying to have a light-hearted moment.
When will this thread be ended?
NoQuieroUnQueso
Member
I'm not sure how to do that, or is that a job for one of the moderators?
Up to the moderator.
While I appreciate your original post, it has been hi-jacked by some colloquial food aficionados.
In my opinion, they either have mocked God or they are very close to doing so.
Rev 19:9 KJV - And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Last edited:
Wesley- it hasnt gotten that far off - and getting off the OP is of major concern of me. and R.L. Vaughn has stated he started a new thread about food. Keep in mind that food was brought up in the OP- but only as an example - not as the major focus. -
So folks lets stay on the OP - which is: Pastoral control.
So folks lets stay on the OP - which is: Pastoral control.
NQUQ -- You have brought up several good points.
I am glad that you have brought up some very important issues.
NO - A pastor should not get to the point of being a dictator.
What I am wondering - as far as not talking to others about the pastor -
is he concerned about Matthew 18?
Matt 18:15-17 - When there is a situation - go and talk to the pastor alone - if it can be worked out
you have gained a brother. if it does not - then take one or two more with you - so - every word can be establish. In addition - when you have spoken to two or three more spiritual members - they may inform you that what you are concerned about may not be that mountain you are trying to make out of a molehill. Now, if those two or three agree with you - than go back to the pastor- if he still does not respond - than it may be time for the church to take action.
I would caution - that this last step should be used very sparring .
Now in an extreme situation - a church could call for a counsel of pastors from sister churches to
make some recommendations. - Note - this council cannot make policy for the church - but only recommendations.
You do seem to have some valid concerns,
Salty
I think there is a danger for these churches to become at least cult-like.
Perhaps this is a result of taking one's eyes off Christ to focus legalistically on religion.
I have seen IFB churches become cult-like. I have seen several Reformed Baptists who would also fit that label. I am sure there are SBC churches (my denomination) like this as well.
Perhaps this is a result of taking one's eyes off Christ to focus legalistically on religion.
I have seen IFB churches become cult-like. I have seen several Reformed Baptists who would also fit that label. I am sure there are SBC churches (my denomination) like this as well.
John Reisinger
"The following article is written primarily for Reformed Baptists only because that is the group with which I have been identified for over twenty years. There are Brethren Assemblies, Presbyterian, Independent, and Charismatic churches, as well as other types of Baptists, that clearly fit the description"
"I spent ten years in evangelism and preached in an average of forty churches a year. The constant problem that I encountered in many Reformed Baptist churches was the extent of the authority of the church and the eldership. Since the pastor was the 'duly authorized' representative of God in the local institution, the problem was really his personal authority over the life and conscience of the people....'Your conscience is under the authority of my preaching of the Scriptures.' Many Reformed preachers would not dare say that out loud, but they give every evidence of believing it in their hearts. They practice such an attitude in their ministries. This is the one thing that has hindered and hampered the Reformed Baptist movement"
"The subject of many sermons dealt with the role and authority of the church and the eldership. The primary thing that consumed most preachers was to have a "true New Testament church with a plurality of elders'....to establish 'elder rule' in the congregation....As one brother said, 'There is a danger in typical Reformed Baptist churches of having only two gifts; A giant tongue that speaks with absolute authority, and a giant ear that listens with unquestioning obedience.' Once that attitude is taken, it is inevitable that the church will move toward a spiritual dictatorship. In such a church, to challenge an elder is to challenge God's 'duly authorized messenger.' The sheep are in total subjection to the elder"
"If you are in a church and under a ministry like that...then I plead with you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to flee from it as fast as you can for the sake of your soul. You are not in a Baptist church. You are not in a Reformed church. You are not even in a Christian church. You are in a cult! If you choose to stay under such a ministry out of either fear or a false sense of loyalty, then you have no one to blame but yourself."
"The following article is written primarily for Reformed Baptists only because that is the group with which I have been identified for over twenty years. There are Brethren Assemblies, Presbyterian, Independent, and Charismatic churches, as well as other types of Baptists, that clearly fit the description"
"I spent ten years in evangelism and preached in an average of forty churches a year. The constant problem that I encountered in many Reformed Baptist churches was the extent of the authority of the church and the eldership. Since the pastor was the 'duly authorized' representative of God in the local institution, the problem was really his personal authority over the life and conscience of the people....'Your conscience is under the authority of my preaching of the Scriptures.' Many Reformed preachers would not dare say that out loud, but they give every evidence of believing it in their hearts. They practice such an attitude in their ministries. This is the one thing that has hindered and hampered the Reformed Baptist movement"
"The subject of many sermons dealt with the role and authority of the church and the eldership. The primary thing that consumed most preachers was to have a "true New Testament church with a plurality of elders'....to establish 'elder rule' in the congregation....As one brother said, 'There is a danger in typical Reformed Baptist churches of having only two gifts; A giant tongue that speaks with absolute authority, and a giant ear that listens with unquestioning obedience.' Once that attitude is taken, it is inevitable that the church will move toward a spiritual dictatorship. In such a church, to challenge an elder is to challenge God's 'duly authorized messenger.' The sheep are in total subjection to the elder"
"If you are in a church and under a ministry like that...then I plead with you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to flee from it as fast as you can for the sake of your soul. You are not in a Baptist church. You are not in a Reformed church. You are not even in a Christian church. You are in a cult! If you choose to stay under such a ministry out of either fear or a false sense of loyalty, then you have no one to blame but yourself."