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I am friends with Billy on FB. He posted this and I asked and received his permission to post it here. I find his thoughts compelling though I doubt that everyone here will agree.
Enjoy!
I want my independent Baptist church back! (actually I don’t)
I wish that the fringe militant IFBers that stole a wonderful movement would give it back, but I know that isn’t going to happen. The Independent Baptist Church movement I grew up in is sadly lying on its death bed and the death rattles are apparent and for the most part those left in the movement don’t seem to care. What happened? How did it die? Why aren’t those left not willing to try and save it?
My IFB were trend setters:
1. The contemporary church movement of its day, WHAT?? You want me to believe that Independent Baptist Churches were contemporary? You bet they were back in the day!
They were trend setters when it came to music. The SBC had become stale, liberal, high pocketed in its worship service and along came these laid back, piano playing, southern gospel singing, amen saying, no robe wearing, store front meeting Independent Baptist and in just a few short decades became one of the most explosive movements around.
They were trend setters when it came to the style of worship. Our services were much less formal than those in the SBC, no coat and tie…no problem, we even had and I can’t believe I’m going to say this…clapping in our services. Our preachers were animated in the pulpit (some to a fault) but our services were like a breath of fresh air to those coming out or formal ritualistic churches.
2. They were trend setters when it came to evangelism: I was a bus kid…not ashamed to say it. IFB filled churches all across this country with little brats like me, teaching them the Word of God. Be honest, how many of you ever heard of the bus ministry outside of Independent Baptist Churches? I’m sure there were some, but this ministry was cutting edge and exploded across this country. What about door to door personal evangelism…wasn’t that what the pastor did?
3. They were trend setters in church architect. Most SBC churches down south were building these huge massive structures or concrete and steel, but they weren’t very user friendly. They were BIG and beautiful but not functional not large crowds nor were they children friendly. IFB churches started in store fronts, never were they the big draw for the wealthy therefore their finances were not of those in the SBC and they had bigger crowds, so they built beautiful yet functional building, many time these building were just metal building with a brick façade front. Must lower cost in most cases, and the emphasis was practical, usable, affordable buildings.
4. They were trend setters in education. Yes, I know the rise of Christian Education was due to the desegregation of our public school, I get it, but the IFB was filling a need for affordable, Christ centered education (granted not always good education) the public schools were failing and the IFB movement answered and filled that need.
Ok, so how did the Independent Baptist Church movement go from being on the cutting edge to on its death bed in 50 or so years? I’m going to list several, I’m sure you could add your own but these are just a few that resonate personally with me.
1. Failure to adapt.
Technology isn’t a cuss word, people change, styles change, cultures change. Change is constant, yet many in the IFB brag that they are “Old Path†Baptist. This is funny since the movement isn’t but a few decades old. I’m almost half way through my 50’s but hopefully I don’t dress, walk, talk, or look like I did in the 70’s..cause styles change. At 55 I started a new career with much younger co-workers that know wayyy more about spreadsheets than I....so I either changed and adapted or sit at home. Why is a 1950’s worship style service right and a new contemporary service is wrong? Is it the screen? Electric instruments? If I may say it this way; IFB churches are using quill pens in an IPad world.
2. Failure to lead.
The Pope’s of IFB…and yes there are popes in Greenville, Pensacola, Lancaster, not so much in Hammond or Murfreesboro anymore, but they still exist all over the country in “fellowships†and “preacher meeting†and they give the marching orders to the flock, and these talking heads go back and give it to those in the pews. If a pope says it’s ok (you name the activity) then it’s ok for the flock.
3. Failure to “branch†out. We often kid down south that our family tree is only a trunk, no branches, and that is what has happened in the IFB church, the average new member in the average IFB church is an old member of another IFB church. They are just swapping members!
4. Failure to love. Today, IFB preachers are known for what they are against instead of what they are for. They preach the wrath of God and never the love of God. To be honest they have become hateful. I remember sitting in church on the first row watching JRR preach, and seeing tears stroll down those cheeks. I only see red faces screaming at me today…so sad that they have to be so mean.
5. Failure to connect. In my day it was ok for an IFB preacher to share the platform with a SB preacher or Nazarene preacher. When was the last time you saw a Nazarene preacher preaching at an IFB church? Not going to happen. No cooperation with other Bible Believing churches or Christians.
6. Militant beliefs:
I can show you pictures from my IFB school way back in the 70’s with ladies wearing pants (oh those evil pants) When did it become sinful for a lady to wear a modest pair of pants?
When did the KJV become the KJB? JRR called those that believe the 1611 KJV to be inspired Word of God heretics. When did the IFB start breaking fellowship with those that don’t hold to that view. When did the IFB start DEMANDING that the KJV be used in the pulpit? BTW: Back in the 70’s Jack Hyles didn’t believe in the KJB either.
Standards: I don’t smoke, drink, or chew so that makes me a better Christian than you. When did the IFB become so legalist that one of the hallmarks of our Baptist heritage that of individual soul liberty is thrown out the door.
Playing the role of victim: When confronted about why the IFB movement is dying you will generally get this response:
If we allowed “rock music†in our church we would grow large too.
The IFB is dying because we have “standards†and folks don’t like our “standards†so they won’t fit into our church.
Or my favorite “we’re the remnant†left until Jesus comes back.
Always blaming and never looking within.
So, the IFB is dying and it’s dying on a hill of its own choosing.
What is the first thing you should do if you have dug yourself into a hole and you can’t get out?
QUIT DIGGING!
The answer isn’t found in Bible Version Wars
It’s not about long hair or pants on women, or smoking or any other man-made standard not found in the Bible.
IT’S ABOUT A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SAVIOR.
Quit majoring on silly stuff and start loving on people again and maybe the movement can be saved.
Enjoy!
I want my independent Baptist church back! (actually I don’t)
I wish that the fringe militant IFBers that stole a wonderful movement would give it back, but I know that isn’t going to happen. The Independent Baptist Church movement I grew up in is sadly lying on its death bed and the death rattles are apparent and for the most part those left in the movement don’t seem to care. What happened? How did it die? Why aren’t those left not willing to try and save it?
My IFB were trend setters:
1. The contemporary church movement of its day, WHAT?? You want me to believe that Independent Baptist Churches were contemporary? You bet they were back in the day!
They were trend setters when it came to music. The SBC had become stale, liberal, high pocketed in its worship service and along came these laid back, piano playing, southern gospel singing, amen saying, no robe wearing, store front meeting Independent Baptist and in just a few short decades became one of the most explosive movements around.
They were trend setters when it came to the style of worship. Our services were much less formal than those in the SBC, no coat and tie…no problem, we even had and I can’t believe I’m going to say this…clapping in our services. Our preachers were animated in the pulpit (some to a fault) but our services were like a breath of fresh air to those coming out or formal ritualistic churches.
2. They were trend setters when it came to evangelism: I was a bus kid…not ashamed to say it. IFB filled churches all across this country with little brats like me, teaching them the Word of God. Be honest, how many of you ever heard of the bus ministry outside of Independent Baptist Churches? I’m sure there were some, but this ministry was cutting edge and exploded across this country. What about door to door personal evangelism…wasn’t that what the pastor did?
3. They were trend setters in church architect. Most SBC churches down south were building these huge massive structures or concrete and steel, but they weren’t very user friendly. They were BIG and beautiful but not functional not large crowds nor were they children friendly. IFB churches started in store fronts, never were they the big draw for the wealthy therefore their finances were not of those in the SBC and they had bigger crowds, so they built beautiful yet functional building, many time these building were just metal building with a brick façade front. Must lower cost in most cases, and the emphasis was practical, usable, affordable buildings.
4. They were trend setters in education. Yes, I know the rise of Christian Education was due to the desegregation of our public school, I get it, but the IFB was filling a need for affordable, Christ centered education (granted not always good education) the public schools were failing and the IFB movement answered and filled that need.
Ok, so how did the Independent Baptist Church movement go from being on the cutting edge to on its death bed in 50 or so years? I’m going to list several, I’m sure you could add your own but these are just a few that resonate personally with me.
1. Failure to adapt.
Technology isn’t a cuss word, people change, styles change, cultures change. Change is constant, yet many in the IFB brag that they are “Old Path†Baptist. This is funny since the movement isn’t but a few decades old. I’m almost half way through my 50’s but hopefully I don’t dress, walk, talk, or look like I did in the 70’s..cause styles change. At 55 I started a new career with much younger co-workers that know wayyy more about spreadsheets than I....so I either changed and adapted or sit at home. Why is a 1950’s worship style service right and a new contemporary service is wrong? Is it the screen? Electric instruments? If I may say it this way; IFB churches are using quill pens in an IPad world.
2. Failure to lead.
The Pope’s of IFB…and yes there are popes in Greenville, Pensacola, Lancaster, not so much in Hammond or Murfreesboro anymore, but they still exist all over the country in “fellowships†and “preacher meeting†and they give the marching orders to the flock, and these talking heads go back and give it to those in the pews. If a pope says it’s ok (you name the activity) then it’s ok for the flock.
3. Failure to “branch†out. We often kid down south that our family tree is only a trunk, no branches, and that is what has happened in the IFB church, the average new member in the average IFB church is an old member of another IFB church. They are just swapping members!
4. Failure to love. Today, IFB preachers are known for what they are against instead of what they are for. They preach the wrath of God and never the love of God. To be honest they have become hateful. I remember sitting in church on the first row watching JRR preach, and seeing tears stroll down those cheeks. I only see red faces screaming at me today…so sad that they have to be so mean.
5. Failure to connect. In my day it was ok for an IFB preacher to share the platform with a SB preacher or Nazarene preacher. When was the last time you saw a Nazarene preacher preaching at an IFB church? Not going to happen. No cooperation with other Bible Believing churches or Christians.
6. Militant beliefs:
I can show you pictures from my IFB school way back in the 70’s with ladies wearing pants (oh those evil pants) When did it become sinful for a lady to wear a modest pair of pants?
When did the KJV become the KJB? JRR called those that believe the 1611 KJV to be inspired Word of God heretics. When did the IFB start breaking fellowship with those that don’t hold to that view. When did the IFB start DEMANDING that the KJV be used in the pulpit? BTW: Back in the 70’s Jack Hyles didn’t believe in the KJB either.
Standards: I don’t smoke, drink, or chew so that makes me a better Christian than you. When did the IFB become so legalist that one of the hallmarks of our Baptist heritage that of individual soul liberty is thrown out the door.
Playing the role of victim: When confronted about why the IFB movement is dying you will generally get this response:
If we allowed “rock music†in our church we would grow large too.
The IFB is dying because we have “standards†and folks don’t like our “standards†so they won’t fit into our church.
Or my favorite “we’re the remnant†left until Jesus comes back.
Always blaming and never looking within.
So, the IFB is dying and it’s dying on a hill of its own choosing.
What is the first thing you should do if you have dug yourself into a hole and you can’t get out?
QUIT DIGGING!
The answer isn’t found in Bible Version Wars
It’s not about long hair or pants on women, or smoking or any other man-made standard not found in the Bible.
IT’S ABOUT A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SAVIOR.
Quit majoring on silly stuff and start loving on people again and maybe the movement can be saved.
