Sorry it took a while to get back to you, been busy. Let me modify my statement, fortunately we occasionally had Missionary Baptist types preach revivals, I can still remember as a young child a local evangelist saying "do you know, that you know, that you know?". So thankfully I did hear a fairly clear gospel presentation, but it was only on rare occasions, I looked forward to those guys coming to preach, and was always on the edge of my pew.
To keep it short, here's my take (having spent 25 years there).
-Too much emphasis on achieving World Peace/Peace on Earth (the bible is clear this will never happen because of the fall, Christ brings peace to individuals, who in turn change their society as they live out their faith, peace will not exist apart from Christ. They sought :1_grouphug: without Christ.)
-Too much emphasis on saving the planet/environment (we should be good stewards, but I observed worship of creation rather than the creator).
-Stated NT was their only creed. That is fine and dandy, but as we see here everyday much disagreement can be had even over the simplest verses. This leaves the door wide open to all types of beliefs.
-The OT was rarely if ever preached from, other than your typical children's stories (Jonah, Noah's ark, etc.) Took me years of study to put some of the pieces together (OT and NT)
-No expository preaching.
-Absolutely little to no concern for missions or personal evangelism.
-Definitely not "high church", but prideful just the same about traditions (feet washing,etc.) and "living simple". Different end of the spectrum, but similar "works based" approach.
-A majority of the churches in our region were dead or dying, those that were getting by were comprised of generations of the families that founded the church 50 to 100 years ago. (Not really uncommon in more rural areas in the SE whatever the denomination UMC, FWB, PCUSA, etc.)
