I can just picture some of you squirming in your seats at the very question! Most people in Protestant/Evangelical churches these days would be much more likely to identify as "Christian" than as "Baptist" or "Presbyterian" or something else. In that sense the "days or denominationalism" are gone. This is a good thing if we are thinking about denominations in a "we're right and they're wrong", or in a possessive/exclusive way (which I think has sometimes been the case). However, I do wonder what this means for us as part of a local Baptist Church.
The reality is that as a Baptist Church we do have a distinct flavour, we do have unique ways of doing things, we do look at the world in different ways - in short, we have distinctive ideas that are important to us! This is true for "Baptists" as a denomination, but it's equally true for us as a local Church. So what are the important bits? Over the next few weeks I'd like to explore this question. For some it will serve as a reminder, for others it may be the first time you've thought about these things, either way, I think these are distinctive Baptist ideas that it would be sad to lose:.
1. Our understanding of decision making
2. Our belief in the "Priesthood of all believers"
3. Our theology and practice of believer's baptism.
4. Our concept of Membership: the good, the bad and the ugly.
We may find over the next few weeks that there are others things that should be included here so please engage in a dialogue if possible. These articles will be posted onto our facebook group every week, and of course I'm always available for a chat if that's how you prefer to dialogue. I'm looking forward to looking at these ideas with you over the coming weeks.
The reality is that as a Baptist Church we do have a distinct flavour, we do have unique ways of doing things, we do look at the world in different ways - in short, we have distinctive ideas that are important to us! This is true for "Baptists" as a denomination, but it's equally true for us as a local Church. So what are the important bits? Over the next few weeks I'd like to explore this question. For some it will serve as a reminder, for others it may be the first time you've thought about these things, either way, I think these are distinctive Baptist ideas that it would be sad to lose:.
1. Our understanding of decision making
2. Our belief in the "Priesthood of all believers"
3. Our theology and practice of believer's baptism.
4. Our concept of Membership: the good, the bad and the ugly.
We may find over the next few weeks that there are others things that should be included here so please engage in a dialogue if possible. These articles will be posted onto our facebook group every week, and of course I'm always available for a chat if that's how you prefer to dialogue. I'm looking forward to looking at these ideas with you over the coming weeks.
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