What traits define IFB?

[abcgrad94]

Whenever sin is pointed out in IFB camps, the IFBx come out of the woodwork to scream how isolated the sin is and how ALL churches cannot be painted the same way. Each church is different.

While this is true to a degree, there ARE certain characteristics IFB churches are known for, specific things IFBs look for in a church, and things noticed by unsaved folks who know them a little. Please post your personal observations of what IFB's believe and practice. I'll go first:

women are to be submissive/husband is boss
spanking children
skirts only or skirts and culottes only for women
use of alcohol and tobacco is a sin

worldly separation--no going to movies, no dancing, hair above the ears and no jewelry for men (except wedding bands and watches) no tattoos or motorcycles and no associating with anyone who does such things

KJV only
no drums in church
hymns only--CCM, Southern Gospel, and rock music is of the devil

Thursday night evangelism (knocking on doors)
forbidden use of most birth control
members are expected to tithe 10% and attend Sunday School, Morning worship, Evening worship, and Wednesday night as well as all nights of revival meetings.

 

[Arbo]

Abcgrad- I read this post to Wifey, who has more experience with IFB churches than I do. She laughed and said you nailed it on the head.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What if I wanted to wear my kilt? Also I have a beard (to my chest by the wedding date) & I dont have any hair up top..... These I guess are no no's?

Oh Im wearing the kilt & we will be playing the Bagpipes for my sons wedding.....we will also be toasting with Fine 35 yo Scotch from the old country.

Guess you people wont like that either.

 

[InTheLight]

You got almost all of them. I would not characterize spanking children as a unique trait of an IFB church.

Here's some more:

Wine use in the NT in the Bible is always grape juice.

Tithing is mandatory to the local church. Once you've satisfied that you may give offerings to other ministries. (There is a distinction between tithes and offerings.)

Faith promise offerings for mission work. You will promise God that you will donate 'X' amount of money to missions per year. This amount is above and beyond tithes, above offerings, and even if you don't have it you must trust God to provide.

Boys and girls will not swim together.

"Petting", (yes, petting) on dates is prohibited.

No card games using a standard deck of cards.

Skirts and dresses hemline must be within 3" of the woman's knee.

Saying "darn" and "doggone" is the same as cussing.

If I remember any others I will post them.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You got almost all of them. I would not characterize spanking children as a unique trait of an IFB church.

Here's some more:

Wine use in the NT in the Bible is always grape juice.

Tithing is mandatory to the local church. Once you've satisfied that you may give offerings to other ministries. (There is a distinction between tithes and offerings.)

Faith promise offerings for mission work. You will promise God that you will donate 'X' amount of money to missions per year. This amount is above and beyond tithes, above offerings, and even if you don't have it you must trust God to provide.

Boys and girls will not swim together.

"Petting", (yes, petting) on dates is prohibited.

No card games using a standard deck of cards.

Skirts and dresses hemline must be within 3" of the woman's knee.

Saying "darn" and "doggone" is the same as cussing.

If I remember any others I will post them.

You forgot curfews & wearing bobby sox & mary janes.

& you forgot no sandals....no exposed toes.

Also, only milk with your wednesday meatloaf. & bed by 11 PM :laugh:

 

[Don]

There are two IFB churches in the area I currently live. A few more about 30-45 minutes south of where I'm at. Of the two, one fits your description to a "T"; but even though I've been IFB since 1995, I won't go there. The other one? The pastor sometimes shows up on Wednesday nights wearing coveralls. But he has a tendency to make statements along the lines of "you won't hear other preachers saying what you just heard," so I won't go there, either.

I've been a member of an IFB church where the pastor only wore a suit and tie if we had special guests, and visitation was on Saturday mornings. I've been a member of an IFB church where the pastor worked at least one other job, we didn't have a visitation night, and we never heard a message about what women should wear. AND, I've been a member of IFB churches that subscribed to that same formula described in the OP; they were typically associated with or striving to be like First Baptist Church of Hammond.

It looks like I'm going to end up joining a Southern Baptist church where the pastor preaches from the King James and his wife wears a dress to the services (but that's about the only time); he attends SBC meetings, but I just had a friend who went to church with me this morning and commented that this SBC church was just as IFB as any he'd seen.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

There are two IFB churches in the area I currently live. A few more about 30-45 minutes south of where I'm at. Of the two, one fits your description to a "T"; but even though I've been IFB since 1995, I won't go there. The other one? The pastor sometimes shows up on Wednesday nights wearing coveralls. But he has a tendency to make statements along the lines of "you won't hear other preachers saying what you just heard," so I won't go there, either.

I've been a member of an IFB church where the pastor only wore a suit and tie if we had special guests, and visitation was on Saturday mornings. I've been a member of an IFB church where the pastor worked at least one other job, we didn't have a visitation night, and we never heard a message about what women should wear. AND, I've been a member of IFB churches that subscribed to that same formula described in the OP; they were typically associated with or striving to be like First Baptist Church of Hammond.

It looks like I'm going to end up joining a Southern Baptist church where the pastor preaches from the King James and his wife wears a dress to the services (but that's about the only time); he attends SBC meetings, but I just had a friend who went to church with me this morning and commented that this SBC church was just as IFB as any he'd seen.

Do they wash feet? My church washes feet!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What kinda hairstyles can women have & can they paint their nails & toenails?

 

[abcgrad94]

You got almost all of them. I would not characterize spanking children as a unique trait of an IFB church.

Right. Not all those characteristics are IFB only, but when put all together, and EMPHASIZED, you can safely bet it's an IFB church. Those are issues that are (usually) really important to them.

The reason I started this thread was so not to hijack Salty's thread about the guy who left IFB, but to shed some light on why some might think all IFB's are painted with the same broad brush. No, not all churches are chock full of abuse, but abusive people seem to seek out churches that set the stage for easy mind control, power trips, and abuse. The more rigid the legalism, the more likely the presence of abuse of power.

There are other denominations that teach male headship of the home and childhood obedience, but that's not what automatically comes to mind when you think of them because it's not what they are NOTED for. Hope this makes sense.

 

[abcgrad94]

Do they wash feet? My church washes feet!

Heretic!:laugh:

 

[pilgrim_99]

At least a few of these would apply to certain strict Reformed/Calvinist groups. Some others would apply to some Southern Baptists.

Secondary separation is a defining characteristic of fundamentalism after the mid-50's, whether Baptist or not. A church could have all of the characteristics listed earlier but would not qualify as fundamentalist unless they were sufficiently separated. And of course, that's often in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Heretic!:laugh:

Your ignore a biblical ordinance to do so! Apostate.:laugh: Just kidding.

What Im not kidding about is the Scotch from the Highlands---clan Sinclair is sending it over & they insist it be drunk as a toast to the wee young male American relation & his bonny new wife & it must be done with kilts.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Very Sad...

After reading this thread I feel like I need to go take a bath. Seriously people, it is heartbreaking and it nearly makes me sick. I was saved as a result of the influence of Independent Baptists and baptized in an IFB church. My entire early Christian life was spent in and around IFB's and I still love and (in general) respect them for their standards of behavior and their overall desire to live in accordance with the Bible. I went thru an ugly divorce back in the 80's and as a result of that I got way out of fellowship with the Lord for an extended period of YEARS. Regardless of any other "contributing factors", I alone have to bear responsibility for my own actions (sins) and I should be DEAD right now but God had mercy on me. Praise His Holy Name!!! The path back to God's mercy was very rocky and terribly costly (I'm not talking about money)to me but, thank God, He is longsuffering. I go to a very conservative SBC church now because that's where God put me when I came back from the "far country" but He used some dear and loving IFB folks to "reel" me back in. I love them deeply. Most of the ones I know are very genuine and very compassionate and I am thankful for them. I love my current church and my dear Pastor and friends but there are some things I will always miss about my IFB days and associations and some things about the SBC church I go to that I'm not 100% comfortable with (personally). Thankfully, in the area I live in there are many opportunities to listen to good Gospel broadcasting and attend Camp Meetings and other things and I can still enjoy the influence of things I hold dear. Some may ask me, "well, why don't I go back and join an IFB church?" Well...I'm sorry but that is between me and the Lord and it is not something I need to share unless He directs me to do so. It could be that maybe one of these days the Lord might just direct me to do just that....but for now...no.
That said....It just makes me sick when people get on here and "paint with a broad brush" or "throw the baby out with the bathwater" (to use a few non-profane cliches. There are good and bad in ALL the Bible-Believing churches...YOURS & MINE INCLUDED. We need to spend far less time BEING part of the problem and FAR MORE TIME on our faces asking God to work in our lives so that we are conformed to the image of His dear Son by filling us with His Spirit and His fruits according to Gal. 5:22-25 :

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

That is all I really have to say about this subject except this one last thing...I have always heard it said that "if you find the perfect church, don't join it, you'll just mess it up!" I have come to believe this is so very true.:tear:

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

I'll Be Called a Legalist But.....

Your ignore a biblical ordinance to do so! Apostate.:laugh: Just kidding.

What Im not kidding about is the Scotch from the Highlands---clan Sinclair is sending it over & they insist it be drunk as a toast to the wee young male American relation & his bonny new wife & it must be done with kilts.

:tear: What a way to kick off a new marriage....a "toast" with Scotch Liquor.
I know this won't go over well but....show me a verse or two of scripture that justifies THAT. There are some traditions "of the world" that should rightly be left behind "in the world". IMHO.:saint: That said....I do wish the new young couple well and hope they will live a blessed and Spirit-filled life in service to the Lord. I pray God will bless them.

Bro.Greg

 

[Don]

Do they wash feet? My church washes feet!

You sure it's not just YOUR feet?

 

[Arbo]

You sure it's not just YOUR feet?

I just hope for modesty's sake he leaves his socks on.:laugh:

 

[Arbo]

Do they wash feet? My church washes feet!

Topic for a new thread: Mixed feet bathing.

 

[Bronconagurski]

After reading this thread I feel like I need to go take a bath. Seriously people, it is heartbreaking and it nearly makes me sick. I was saved as a result of the influence of Independent Baptists and baptized in an IFB church. My entire early Christian life was spent in and around IFB's and I still love and (in general) respect them for their standards of behavior and their overall desire to live in accordance with the Bible. I went thru an ugly divorce back in the 80's and as a result of that I got way out of fellowship with the Lord for an extended period of YEARS. Regardless of any other "contributing factors", I alone have to bear responsibility for my own actions (sins) and I should be DEAD right now but God had mercy on me. Praise His Holy Name!!! The path back to God's mercy was very rocky and terribly costly (I'm not talking about money)to me but, thank God, He is longsuffering. I go to a very conservative SBC church now because that's where God put me when I came back from the "far country" but He used some dear and loving IFB folks to "reel" me back in. I love them deeply. Most of the ones I know are very genuine and very compassionate and I am thankful for them. I love my current church and my dear Pastor and friends but there are some things I will always miss about my IFB days and associations and some things about the SBC church I go to that I'm not 100% comfortable with (personally). Thankfully, in the area I live in there are many opportunities to listen to good Gospel broadcasting and attend Camp Meetings and other things and I can still enjoy the influence of things I hold dear. Some may ask me, "well, why don't I go back and join an IFB church?" Well...I'm sorry but that is between me and the Lord and it is not something I need to share unless He directs me to do so. It could be that maybe one of these days the Lord might just direct me to do just that....but for now...no.
That said....It just makes me sick when people get on here and "paint with a broad brush" or "throw the baby out with the bathwater" (to use a few non-profane cliches. There are good and bad in ALL the Bible-Believing churches...YOURS & MINE INCLUDED. We need to spend far less time BEING part of the problem and FAR MORE TIME on our faces asking God to work in our lives so that we are conformed to the image of His dear Son by filling us with His Spirit and His fruits according to Gal. 5:22-25 :

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

That is all I really have to say about this subject except this one last thing...I have always heard it said that "if you find the perfect church, don't join it, you'll just mess it up!" I have come to believe this is so very true.:tear:

Bro.Greg:saint:

I hear you, brother. Where were all these haters of IFB churches when I was lost and on my way to hell, caught up in things that ended up sending some of my friends to prison and others wound up dead, while others were in motorcycle gangs. The IFB cared for my soul, and witnessed to me. After I got saved everyone was trying to give me advice. Some said I still needed the baptism of the Spirit, others criticized my church as having too many standards, etc., etc. My answer then is the same as it is now- where were you when I needed someone to witness to me and care for my soul? It's easy to mock and point out faults in other people and churches, especially when the ones doing it have enough faults of their own. I defer to the speck and plank paradigm. It always holds true, whether it's me or someone else. These so called bad people had enough concern to infiltrate our gatherings and talk to us about our souls, and pass out tracks. Isn't that terrible? Then after I was saved, they showed me where I should get baptized in obedience to God, and how I should study my bible and pray everyday. Wicked people they were. I then met my wife there, and encouraged to get a bible college education, and given the opportunity to then teach, etc. Boy, I don't know how I made it through those terrible times.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

:tear: What a way to kick off a new marriage....a "toast" with Scotch Liquor.
I know this won't go over well but....show me a verse or two of scripture that justifies THAT. There are some traditions "of the world" that should rightly be left behind "in the world". IMHO.:saint: That said....I do wish the new young couple well and hope they will live a blessed and Spirit-filled life in service to the Lord. I pray God will bless them.

Bro.Greg

Show me one that doesn't...besides...mind your own business.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Thanks Bronco

I hear you, brother. Where were all these haters of IFB churches when I was lost and on my way to hell, caught up in things that ended up sending some of my friends to prison and others wound up dead, while others were in motorcycle gangs. The IFB cared for my soul, and witnessed to me. After I got saved everyone was trying to give me advice. Some said I still needed the baptism of the Spirit, others criticized my church as having too many standards, etc., etc. My answer then is the same as it is now- where were you when I needed someone to witness to me and care for my soul? It's easy to mock and point out faults in other people and churches, especially when the ones doing it have enough faults of their own. I defer to the speck and plank paradigm. It always holds true, whether it's me or someone else. These so called bad people had enough concern to infiltrate our gatherings and talk to us about our souls, and pass out tracks. Isn't that terrible? Then after I was saved, they showed me where I should get baptized in obedience to God, and how I should study my bible and pray everyday. Wicked people they were. I then met my wife there, and encouraged to get a bible college education, and given the opportunity to then teach, etc. Boy, I don't know how I made it through those terrible times.

It's nice to know I'm not the ONLY radical on this board that didn't drink the liberal koolaid and start accusing people of being legalistic cultists just because they preferred to align themselves with those evil pharisees...the Independent Fundamental Baptists.
Folks....not everybody that is IFB is from Hylesville. I was nutured by (gasp!!) BJU people and lived at Bro.Lester Roloff's "City of Refuge" home in Corpus Christi, Texas for almost a full year. It was there I actually learned the Biblical concept of "living by FAITH".....imagine that! Matter of fact, I was led to faith in Christ back in 1977 by the former Dean of Students at BJU...the guy who basically wrote and was responsible for enforcing the rules there. I never attended school there but he took time to do his best to disciple me anyway. Thank God for the "legalists" in the world!:applause:

Bro.Greg:saint: