If you think the Southern Bap Convention controls local churches...

[Salty]

Huh?

Let's take a look at the language recommended on a state Southern Baptist Convention website

Key word RECOMMENDED

May I share a word of advice. Before you join a church, check out their constitution - and if has such a clause that concerns you - then do not join.

 

[Jerome]

Yes, as we've seen, that is a much better place to look than some FAQ/vague denial posted on sbc.net (cited in the OP as if it were somehow authoritative).

 

[Michael Wrenn]

I never thought I'd see the day when local church autonomy would have to be explained and defended on a Baptist site, against other Baptists. But I never thought I'd see the day the Baptists came out against church-state separation, either -- and I saw that 20 years ago. I guess "Baptist" ain't what it used to be.

 

[nodak]

You are so right, Michael.

For those that don't "get" what we are saying, get a copy of Herschel Hobbs' "Doctrines Baptists Believe." Don't get the same title by another author.

It will give you a pretty clear understanding of just how much the SBC has changed.

We no longer hold to what made us different.