GARBC

Hi, mommynurse69. As a starter for understanding a little of the different Baptist groups in the U. S., you might try Baptist Groups in the USA and Denominational Sites.

The General Association of Regular Baptist Churches is an association of independent fundamental Baptist churches that grew out of a division of the American Baptist Churches (then Northern Baptist Convention) over the fundamentalism/modernism controversy. HERE is a link to their beliefs.

[ August 27, 2002, 09:25 AM: Message edited by: rlvaughn ]

 

Me Too, thanks!

Shalom

LOOK UP!
Alli

 

Northern Baptist Convention - 1907. Reorgainized in 1950 to be the American Baptist Convention, and again in 1972 as the American Baptist Churches.

General Association of Regular Baptist Churhces - May 1932.

But, you are correct, the Regular Baptists were the remnant of the historic fundamentalists who opposed the modernists at the big blowup on the convention floor in 1920 which resulted in the formation of "The National Federation of Fundamentalists of the Northern Baptist Convention." This group later, after separating from the NBC, changed its name to the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship. It was these men who, in May 1932, founded a new "denomination" called the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches to distinguish them from what they considered to be the irregular Baptists who remained part of the modernist NBC.

 

Before moving to Chariton where we now are members of an IFB Church, I was a deacon in a GARBC church. I would say that GARBC churches are usually quite conservative and I felt very comfortable moving from GARBC to a conservative independent church. Like any other Baptist association, church autonomy allows for varying levels of conservativism. Do check out the website. It is a fine association. Also note that it is an association, not as closely tied as a convention.

 

While attending Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin...I did some of my service at a GARBC church in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The pastor, Robert Johnson, who still is pastor, I believe, was a great influence on my life. They are typically like the Independents, but I did find after attending a GARBC church in Pekin, Illinois that some of them are a bit lax in standards.

Incidently, Dr. B. Myron Cedarholm, founder of MBBC was on of the "big whigs" of the Northern Baptist Convention for many years. More info on the GARBC can be found in "A History of Fundamentalism in America" by George W. Dollar.

B.T.

 

I go to a GARBC church. It's probably a good thing that is how I was introduced to the baptist church. Cause if it was a fire and brimstone or extremely conservitive, I probably would have run back for the Lutheran hills and never returned.

Bro. Adam

 

Go GARBC! Which GARBC church do you go to, Bro. Adam? Mine is Good Shepherd Baptist Church . It is part of a tight-knit local fellowship of GARBC churches in Omaha. My church, while taking a firm stance on the fundamentals of the faith, separatism, and other sound Biblical doctrines, is not by any means "hellfire-and-brimstone" either. God has used my church to bless me greatly since I transferred there this past summer. I wish that all of the churches in our local area fellowship could match up to mine (I do not say this out of pride; you would say the same if you knew what I know about a couple of our local sister churches).

 

Our church is GARBC.

My observation is GARBC churches (for the most part) are quietly fundamental. They don't particularly like the label of "fundamental" but accept it because they believe the tenants of traditional fundamentalism is the Baptist norm not the exception.

We contend for the faith without being contentious (not always possible however).

HankD

[ September 14, 2002, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: HankD ]

 

I go to North Park Baptist Church. It is a mid-size church (weekly attendance of about 400 between the two services), and it is very family oriented. I can't stand some of the other churches that are corperate churches and each person is more of a number than a name.

Our church is closely associated with the church from whom the Burhams (the missionaries whos plan was gunned down last year) came from. So we especially felt the impact when that happened. I don't know what it is about the GARBC, but I don't see myself preaching (when I am a pastor) in any other type of church full time (not to say I wouldn't visit others).

Bro. Adam

 

CBA was founded May 17, 1947. B. Myron Cedarholm attended Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1943. He received a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and completed residence studies for a Th.D.

He, and other likeminded pastors organized the Conservative Baptist Association of America (CBA of A) in 1947. In November he submitted his resignation from Lehigh Avenue Baptist Church in order to accept the position as the CBA of A Central Area Evangelist. In May 1948 he became the organization’s General Director. He spent 18 years in that position.

He spoke out quite strongly against the Northern Baptist Convention. However, by 1965 his beloved CBA had developed New Evangelical trends and compromises so, he resigned as the General Director. In May of 1965, at the age of 50, he assumed the leadership of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, Minnesota.

On September 14, 1968 Maranatha Baptist Bible College was organized and Dr. Cedarholm spent the next 15 years leading that school. He retired in 1983, and died June 13, 1997.

He was never active in the leadership of the NBC, but openly opposed them as they drifted into apostacy.

 

Some of you gents know way too much for your own good.


Dr. C was a great man, One of the heros of my youth. Always knew who I was by name too, even If I had grown 5 inches since he saw me. Of course there are those who say the resemblance to my father would have something to do with that.

As far as the GARBC, I am right now in Church Search mode, and I have found four GARBC churches in easy driving distance from my house. They are as different as four churches can be. they run the gamut from armenian to hyper-calvinist, high church hymns to contemporary worship music, (Oh yeah, and one bad karaoke experience as well!) one was radically KJV-only, etc.

Basically, like the IFB churches, you have to really get in and figure out specifically what they believe. They are very autonomous in most cases. Just don't bring the big NASB, just in case Boy did I feel sheepish! And it had the big Gold letters on the front too.

Having 50 Baptist Churches in my area is making the selection a little tough, but the list is getting much shorter, a few phone calls with about 5 simple questions and they are dropping like flies!

 

Hi superdave,

Just out of curiosity and with no challenges or criticisms (from me), what are the 5 questions?

Plese email if you don't want them made public

Thanks

HankD

 

I grew up in a GARBC church - it provided me with a great Bible education - On Sundays we went to Sunday School - Morning Worship - Youth Group - Evening Service - On Wednesdays we went to Youth Group - Prayer Meeting - Fridays - Baptist Youth Time (once a month) - Summer Camp, etc.

I was introduced to missions in that church.
I was introduced to evangelism in that church.

I was privileged to hear Dr. Roberth T. Ketchum when I was a teenager at an Empire State Baptist Fellowship Conference (New York State's answer to the GARBC).

I even attended a national GARBC conference in Rochester, NY.

I went off to a GARBC School - where I was saved.

Although I do not pastor a GARBC church - I do have fond memories of the GARBC.

 

I too grew up and was taught, saved and baptized in a GARBC church. Doctrinally it was very strong and fundamental.

Today, it all depends on the pastor, but the church I grew up in has refused to change and keep itself relevant in ministry practice. KJV only and hymns only by organ and piano were just too much for me to take. (People can and DO argue about these points all day long, but the Spirit led me to a different style of church that still holds firmly to the fundamentals of God's Word.)

Like others have said, today, separate GARBC churches can be very different. Overall, I would still say they lean towards the conservative side, both theologically and stylistically.

WW2'er

[ March 19, 2003, 11:07 AM: Message edited by: WW2'er ]