What is that all about?

Was it in a rural community? It sounds like the church where I grew up. It was Missionary Baptist in name. It was founded in 1846 and must have become affiliated with the SBC somewhere along the way without changing the name. It was also KJV only, as were most of the SBC churches in the area (Southeastern Kentucky). I don't remember ever hearing any of the pastors or evangalists, etc. saying why we were KJV only or that they were against any other translations. That's just the translation that was used. As a matter of fact, I didn't know there were any other translations until I became a teenager and my Mother started managing a book store.

I really do miss that church.

[ June 24, 2002, 10:39 PM: Message edited by: tfisher ]

 

If it were a "real" ABA church, it would not have used SBC literature (altho', I do know of a couple of SBC churches that do use ABA lit.) As far as using the KJBible, there is no other Bible. One of the reasons why we are not in an ABA church now, is because of their relaxed standards; yet, I've recently heard of a little flock in Arkansas who are trying to get back to the old paths, the good way.

 

As far as the name "missionary Baptist", that can be somewhat regional. In most of my experience, "missionary Baptist" has meant a landmark type missionary Baptist church not affiliated with the SBC. But in my travels, I have found a few areas in which the churches using "missionary Baptist" in their church names and on their signs were Southern Baptists - particularly north Alabama and north Georgia. The few ABA churches in those areas only used "Baptist" on their signs.

Saggy, if you don't mind sending me the church name and location by private message, I can look it up and see if it's in any of the associational directories I have. I am curious to know also.

 

tfisher,
What part of SE KEntucky did you grow up in? I went to college there and spent several years in that area.

 

It sounds like a good practice of local church autonomy to me. A Baptist church body should be able to choose whatever they want to be and do within a biblical framework. Paul reminds us to be "fully persuaded...."