I suppose you could talk theoretically all day about the battles between the fringe and the mainstream in the Independent Baptist world, or of any group for that matter. It doesn’t mean anything until you decide if YOU are in the fringe or the mainstream yourself. Likely, you, as everyone else, sees yourself in the mainstream. Some group most unlike you is, to your mind, the fringe. We can’t all be the mainstream, though, can we?

After last week’s article, I was surprised to see how many thought the Independent Baptist world itself was swallowed up in the fringe. Do you suppose it would be fair to evaluate yourself in light of how the majority of God’s people would view you instead of how you view yourself? I fully realize that lining up with a majority in no way makes you right, but what about if we are speaking of those who love the Lord, have Him as a huge part of their lives, and generally show the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? Then we could answer the bigger questions.

Are we following Christ or man? Are we part of the problem or the solution? Are we right after all, or incredibly wrong? Are we advocating the Christian life represented in Scripture , or something that came to being over the years independent of the Bible? Yes, these are the bigger questions. So, in interest of the significance of the bigger questions, here are some questions for those who would accept the label Independent Baptist to ask yourself to determine if YOU are part of the fringe or the mainstream:

1. Do you suppose (a) that only those who think exactly like you to the smallest details could be right with God or true to the Bible, or (b) that though you are settled in what you believe, you realize that others could love the Lord as much as you without agreeing in every detail?

2. Do you believe (a) that the Lord Himself is an Independent Baptist, or (b) that while you feel most comfortable lining up with Independent Baptists in our times, you realize the Lord is bigger than such designations?

3. Do you believe (a) that some controversial standards (dress, movies, etc.) are essential to being a dedicated Christian, or (b) while you have you own position for what you feel honors the Lord in your life, you realize all dedicated Christians will not reach the same conclusion on these matters?

4. Do you believe (a) that only a worship service and music that you are accustomed to could be the real thing, or (b) though you know exactly what kind of worship service and music you are comfortable with, you don’t believe that only could please the Lord?

5. Do you believe (a) that compliance to standards are the best gauge to determine the authenticity of a believer’s spiritual growth, or (b) that love of God, His Word, and love of others are far more accurate?

6. Do you believe (a) that we should separate from believers who do not live by the same standards we do, or (b) that we should only separate where the Bible specifically mentions separation?

7. Do you believe (a) that the “old-time religion” is our current practices that trace from the 20th Century, or (b) that the “old paths” are the timeless, foundational truths believed since Bible times?

8. Do you believe (a) that rip-roaring preaching on issues is the preaching the Lord loves and blesses, or (b) that  a careful, passionate exposition of passages in God’s Word pleases the Lord because it is His Word we need?

9. Do you believe (a) that pastors must be obeyed in all matters, or (b) that the Lord must be obeyed in all matters and pastors are a gift from Him who can only be followed to the extent they follow Him?

10. Do you believe (a) that we must work hard to please the Lord, or (b) that we are “accepted in the beloved” and there is nothing you could do to make the Lord love you more or less, and you serve Him simply out of love?

Really, the point is the fringe says doing exactly what we say is the critical issue while the mainstream would never dare rob you of your soul liberty, which is a Baptist distinctive that some paid for with their very lives. The question is easy. Too many A’s on this list and you may have the answer you don’t want to the question–are YOU part of the fringe or mainstream?

 

Find all articles in the series here.

 

 

 

 

Are the problems in the Independent Baptist world across the board? Does taking the name alone make one guilty of all its crimes? Surely only the most hardened cynic would say “yes”.

Are Independent Baptists the only group in Christianity with an embarrassing fringe group? Certainly not. There is always that element that you wish would go away, at least publicly, that never easily can be silenced. If that is so, and it is, why do I write a series such as I do here? Someone asked me, one of the good guys actually, that very thing, as well as a few others. It is in the context of the dichotomy between our fringe and mainstream that the answer to why I write this series will be found. Our mainstream has some wonderful people who are kind and dearly love our Lord. At the same time, we have a rather wacky fringe group who do great damage to the cause of Christ. These two facts were never meant to be in an easy harmony!

Points To Consider In The Conflict Between Our Fringe And Mainstream

1. We Are Most Responsible For Our Fringe Group.

I might have some insight into the fringe elements of, say, the Presbyterians. Do you think that someone outside the group, though, would be taken as seriously as someone inside the group? Have I experienced the issues that plague them? Have I lived where they live? So I turn back to my own. In the same way it makes sense for a pastor to look to the issues of his church, or a parent to look after his own children, or a worker to address the issues of the organization he or she is part of, so it makes sense for Independent Baptists to address our own issues. It is, in fact, a dereliction of duty just as it would be in any of the above examples. To most people looking on, our silence appears as denial. It actually silences critics when we deal with a problem before they scream about it.

2. It Does Not Damage The Mainstream To Call Out The Fringe.

Actually, the opposite is true. Nothing lumps the mainstream and fringe together like never speaking out against the fringe. To never say anything is tacit approval of the fringe. If you met someone from a foreign country who mentioned that our country supports abortion, would you not as a Christian explain that some of us absolutely find it appalling that some who share the name “American” with us support such a position? There are some positions held by the fringe of the Independent Baptist world that I want to be far distanced from and say that I find appalling. I will use my influence too, such as it is, to fight abortion. I feel the same way about issues I have been battling against in 23 previous articles.

3. The Fringe Have Hurt Innocent People.

At what point does right trump public relations? I think the moment people are hurt, driven away, or abused is the time to throw the PR out the window. I could see Jesus doing that. Jesus did a number on the PR of the religious hierarchy when He overthrew the money changer’s tables. There are greater issues at times.

4. When You Call Out The Fringe You May Attract The Fringe On The Other Side.

I admit that there are people on the more liberal side who are equally of the fringe. They would hurt others to advance themselves in the same way. Of course there are, for example, church members who are working a personal agenda as much as some pastors (though that has not been my theme in this series). Some feel calling out the fringe makes the mainstream look guilty by association. I, for one, have never thought our wonderful mainstream could fairly be made equal to the fringe. In the interest of fairness, let’s not lump everyone who is exposing the wrongs they have experienced at the hands of our fringe as trouble-making, heartless compromisers either. The charge is not true. I know of too many stories where they have gone far out of the way to limit the consequences for others.

5. The Mainstream is Guilty Of Allowing The Fringe To Define Them.

Our fringe is particularly noisy. For decades they have had the microphone and used it like a billy stick. Our silence has been equivalent to shooting ourselves in the proverbial foot. I remember years ago when I wasn’t so disillusioned with politics that I heard this statement: ” ‘Do not speak against other Republicans’ is the Eleventh Commandment.” How did that work out?

6. Calling Out The Fringe Will Not Turn Away Non-Christians.

Again, I think the opposite is true. I have heard this from a few people, but upon reflection I do not believe it is true. In the first place, it is quite a stretch to assume an unsaved person would even read an article about Independent Baptists. In the event they did, or they saw a Facebook thread about it, I think it would actually encourage them. Many have suffered abuse from religion, so when they see Christians holding Christians accountable, they better can believe our sincerity.

Conclusion

So how long will I write? Until the victory is won! As in the aforementioned example, I will never stop speaking out against abortion until it stops. Nor will I stop speaking out against the abuses perpetrated  by our fringe until they are dramatically changed. I encourage others to join me until our voices drown out theirs. Let’s be the morally responsible mainstream who holds the fringe to account.

Find all articles in the series here.

If we Independent Baptists were to practice real introspection and ask ourselves what is the worst crime that comes out of the issues we struggle with at times, what would it be? In this series I have slammed the pettiness that overtakes our movement at far too many points often. You may think that pettiness is annoying at most and not the biggest of problems, that it is of the roll-your-eyes variety. Could it be more?

Well, it comes across as a big deal to those who practice it. These pettiness perpetrators have presented it as life and death. To them, music, dress standards, and other extra-biblical issues are the Christian life, or so they come across. Some are offended to be told they come across that way, but it the subject most often on their lips, and the key element in how they size up other Christians. Strangely, pride, arrogance, temper issues, rudeness and the like are rarely discussed while going to a movie theater might prove once and for all someone’s spirituality or the lack thereof! Before you think I am too dramatic, I personally know far more people who have been shunned or separated from because of these petty issues than any of the aforementioned spiritual problems.

Let’s look beyond the individual elements that make up the pettiness and instead consider its impact in toto. How serious is it? Let’s consider it in light of a very possible future scenario. How will this pettiness appear to all of us if intense persecution comes?

If we must worship, as some other Christians have done, with a whisper so we can hear the footsteps of the authorities coming to get us, will these petty issues matter? If we are secretly meeting in the woods in the winter for church, will her pair of pants matter? If someone risks his life to share the Gospel, will you be obsessed with the rhythm of the music he listened to that morning? If she shares her food with you, will you care that she would go see a movie at a theater if she could? If you met one not ashamed to mention the name of Jesus, would you really write him off if a buddy said he was liberal and should be separated from? No, so why now? Only times of plenty can afford pettiness.

You may say, these issues are not petty to me. Well, to you I ask, will they honestly matter if being a Christian is itself life and death? You may say yes, but I humbly submit that I do not believe you. The potential of persecution has never been greater in America, so our pettiness grows ever more ludicrous. When it comes, we will remember in our pain the waste involved in our pettiness and weep. That is, too, the worst crime.

Find all articles in the series here.

They speak. We must listen. I have their emails and Facebook messages. They want our issues addressed and changed. While some are just leaving, others are staying but praying God will bring to pass the changes we need to truly glorify Christ and honor His Word.

I could share horror stories one piled upon on another, but instead of sharing our worst, I want to share the thoughtful comments of a godly lady. She stayed, but she is concerned. You can tell she cares deeply about her church. She gave permission for me to share her letter, but only anonymously so as to not shame or hurt her church. I think some of our pastors have trouble seeing it, but this is a great representation of the hearts and minds of the rank and file. Here from the pew:

Pastor Jimmy,

First, I want to say thank you for your series on Independent Baptist Churches. I am currently a member of one and have had a variety of church experiences. I appreciate that you recommend books, because sometimes church members/attenders would like to read some good books, but they don’t know where to start. I really appreciate when pastors aren’t afraid to ‘add to’ their own preaching/teaching by recommending the thoughts of others, even if they also include a disclaimer.

Secondly, I didn’t want to comment on your recent post, because I was introduced to your blog via a former member, a young man, the son of the patriarchal church family, who went to Bible college, got married and is now a part of another church. He has two brothers connected to our pastor’s family. Although things don’t generally get political and ugly, even during business meetings, it’s a little scary to see how much that family is growing in leadership and influence. All that to say, I didn’t want to post, because it is not my intention to cast a bad light or offend anyone from our church who might follow your blog as well.

I agree that our society has created a selfish, hedonistic generation, and that has been detrimental to the church, but I have also observed that the churches that are growing while remaining Biblical sound are those that are casting off detrimental traditions, using both old and new from ‘the storehouse’, teach what true discipleship is (rather than just going through a curriculum), encourage outreach and church planting (reproduction), preach and teach expositionally and applicationally (often through books of the Bible) and not concerned with having to have an evangelistic (baby food) message on Sunday mornings, trust that people actually do want to know what the Bible says (including comparing other views) and not demonizing certain things that may not be wise but are not sin, etc. I am grateful that our leadership is very missions-minded, does support a local sister church, and has a bus ministry as well as a newly established food pantry, but some of the things you have posted in your series can be found and have been harmful to true spiritual growth.

I can imagine how discouraging pastors must get when they don’t see the results and responses they hope for, but it is really discouraging to hear a pastor express a lack of ‘faith’ and knowledge about what people are doing outside the walls of the church. People have even been made to feel guilty for not attending a small church activity. A good shepherd knows his sheep and the state of his flock; he doesn’t assume the worst. I know he isn’t God— omniscient, omnipresent— and we have a responsibility, too, to the ministry and to each other. I can only imagine the weight pastors carry, and it’s nice when they accept help or trust people with responsibilities, as well as providing the resources and/or authority to do what is needed. That, too, has been an issue, and so another thing that growing churches have is entrusting people to perform the ministry and use the talents with which God has gifted them.

Sorry this is so long. Thank you again for your heart, courage, boldness, and grace. I think your posts have been very balanced, and from the looks of things have been a blessing to many.

God bless! And I mean that. 🙂

Appreciatively,
_______ from ______

We ignore her, and those like her, at our peril.

Thanks _____. You are overly kind in your words about me, but you spoke eloquently from the pew.

I want to also share what I believe was a widely-read article by Jeff Amsbaugh recently released. He is a much more well-known pastor and blogger than me. I am glad to see it. LINK

Find all articles in the series here.