BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ken Manley (two volumes), From Woolloomooloo to 'Eternity': A History of Australian Baptists.
The Baptist Heritage, H. Leon McBeth (Broadman, 1987): a comprehensive 850-page overview of Baptist history and emphases, mainly from a North American perspective.
Challenge to Change: A Radical Agenda for Baptists, Nigel Wright (Kingsway 1991) 'calls for consensus over constitution, power over programme evangelism, and makes a case for Baptist bishops'.
A Community of Believers by Charles W. Deweese (Judson, 1978), a good general handbook, with a useful discussion on 'church covenants'
Growing on Together (Baptist Union of NSW), a simple, readable paper-back written by Australian Baptists.
Studies in Baptism by Basil S. Brown (Clifford Press, Melbourne), a 32-page summary of the meaning of Baptism by a former Australian theological college professor.
The Church, a Baptist View (Gordon W. Martin), Authority, a Baptist View (B.R. White), Freedom, a Baptist View (J.H. Briggs), Baptism, a Baptist View (John W. Matthews), Children in the Church, a Baptist View (D.F. Tennant), Ministry, a Baptist View (John F. Nicholson), booklets produced by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland. (Australian agents - Clifford Press, Melbourne)
The Baptist Church Member (Baptist Church Life and Ministry, Victoria), 9 studies for prospective members. Available through Baptist Book Stores.
The Water that Divides by Donald Bridge and David Phypers (IVP, 1977), a good discussion of the pros and cons of baptism and the open/closed membership question.
A History of the Baptists by R.G. Torbet (judson, 3rd Edition), a good general history.
Baptist Confessions of Faith by W.L. Lumpkin (Judson 1959), a more comprehensive volume.
A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice: Revised Edition by Norman H. Maring and Winthrop S. Hudson (Judson Press, 1991).
(Also check out the web site http//www.abc-usa.org for the ABC/USA.)
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
27. VARIETIES OF 'BAPTISTS'
In this article we'll ask why Baptist churches/preachers/people exist across a wide theological/ecclesiological spectrum - from snake-handling ultra-fundamentalists in the American South, to a church from the American Baptist Churches group (a more inclusive denomination) whose pastor believes in reincarnastion to Baptists in the Church of North India who can live with infant baptism as an option.
Meanwhile, what do you make of these common jokes about Baptists?
Q: Why don't Southern Baptist teenagers have sex standing up?
A: Because it might lead to dancing!
Q: Why should you always take two Southern Baptist ministers when you go fishing?
A: Because if you only take one he'll drink all your beer!
*****************************************************************************
Or this: THE BAPTIST WHITE LIE CAKE
Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events: Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp.
When she took the cake from the oven, the centre had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the centre of The cake. She found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home. When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone & called her mom. Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.
The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa, but having already RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home. The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Alice 's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert!
Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!" Alice, still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself."
Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."
More Humor/Humour
Meanwhile, what do you make of these common jokes about Baptists?
Q: Why don't Southern Baptist teenagers have sex standing up?
A: Because it might lead to dancing!
Q: Why should you always take two Southern Baptist ministers when you go fishing?
A: Because if you only take one he'll drink all your beer!
*****************************************************************************
Or this: THE BAPTIST WHITE LIE CAKE
Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events: Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa, but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp.
When she took the cake from the oven, the centre had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the centre of The cake. She found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home. When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone & called her mom. Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.
The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa, but having already RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home. The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Alice 's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert!
Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!" Alice, still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself."
Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."
More Humor/Humour
26. BAPTISTS AND MISSION
Mission involves three components, according to the Bible (Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:23 etc.) - Social Justice, Mercy/Compassion, and an invitation to Faith (ie. evangelism).
25. BAPTISTS AND 'SPIRITUAL FORMATION'
'Spiritual formation is the process whereby the Word of God is applied by the Spirit of God to the heart and mind of the child of God, so that she or he becomes more like the Son of God.'
24. BAPTISTS AND COMMUNITY
The Church is a 'community of faith, hope and love'. How is this supposed to happen?
23. BAPTISTS AND WORSHIP
Watch this space for an article on the way Baptists worship around the world. The variety of approaches might amaze you!
22. BAPTISTS AND CHILDREN
Watch this space for an article about children and the church. If babies/small children are not baptized, does that matter? What about Infant Presentation/Dedication services? Do Baptists believe in godparents? And more...
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
19. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS
In this article we'll try to answer the question: 'If I'm supposed to contribute, how shall I know how to do that?'
18. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: ATTEND, BELIEVE, CONTRIBUTE
Watch this space for an article about how you can best support your local church.
17. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: ENCOURAGING YOUR PASTOR
Watch this space: but in the meantime read this important article.
16. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: CLERICALISM
The Christian Brethren movement have had a valid objection to 'clergy running the church and denying others a ministry'. Baptists are still plagued by clericalism, whereby pastors accrue power rather than disseminating it. The task of church leaders is to train and empower others for ministry, not do it for them!
15. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: EVANGELISM
The idea of 'seeker services' is not new: it was there in apostolic times, according to Michael Green (Evangelism Through the Local Church). Neighbourhood 'coffee 'n dessert' nights, friendship services, Alpha Courses, Christianity Explained courses - these and many other tools are available for us as a church to reach out to those the New Testament calls 'the lost'.
But the very best means of evangelism has always been the integrity of the Christian's character. 'Preach the Gospel: use words if necessary' said Francis of Assisi. But words are important too. (What use is a signpost without words?).
But the very best means of evangelism has always been the integrity of the Christian's character. 'Preach the Gospel: use words if necessary' said Francis of Assisi. But words are important too. (What use is a signpost without words?).
14. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: ECUMENISM
Baptists may have some justifiable reasons to be leary of some things the World Council of Churches does. But they have no justifiable reason for non-cooperation with others who 'acknowledge Jesus Christ as Saviour Lord and God, according to the Scriptures'. We must not do anything to negate our Lord's prayer 'that they may be one'.
13. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: INSTITUTIONAL RENEWAL
About 95% of Australian Baptists agree with the statement 'There's something wrong with the way our church business meetings are conducted'. The 5% who enjoy power-broking or have an excess of spare time on their hands or enjoy the thrill of swaying the voting intentions of others will derive some enjoyment from church members' meetings. Baptists have equated congregationalism with democracy: modern notions of democracy are not biblical. Baptists also have forgotten that the NT has three forms of church government - episcopal, presbyterian as well as congregational. Baptists have also allowed their adherence to a notion of 'the priesthood of all believers' to contaminate their polity: believers should not use church meetings as a forum to be negative. Church meetings exist for information-dissemination (what God is doing amongst us), celebration (worshipping the Lord who is the head of the church) and discernment (prayerfully finding the will of our Lord in specific situations). Whilst the method of decision-making will vary from culture to culture, and issue to issue, neither democracy nor unanimity is appropriate in every situation. (Democracy may mean the leading families rule; unanimity may leave us all at the mercy of the 'nut' who will vote 'no' to everything!).
12. CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS: CHARISMATIC RENEWAL
People who derive their security from the predictable institutions or dogmas they adhere to will always be threatened by notions of renewal, particularly radical renewal. The impact of charismatic renewal is no exception. The Holy Spirit is moving in dynamic ways through all the churches and in all the world, but traditionalists will find themselves opposing anything which is not part of their cherished history. Although the devil as well as the Holy Spirit is operative in some aspects of charismatic renewal, Baptists and others will need to be careful about the dangers of fighting God: they can't win! (See my paper 'Charismatic Renewal: Myths and Realities').
11. CHALLENGES FACING THE BAPTISTS: WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
In the NT women were quite prominent in the churches, despite strong patriarchal cultures. Today, the church is creating a scandal by appearing to treat women as second-class citizens. Some Baptist churches and denominations will not recognize the pastoral leadership gifts of women: if God were to raise up a Deborah to lead the whole people of God today some of us wouldn't let him to it! We should be grateful God is not a legalist! (See my paper on Women in Leadership).
10. CHALLENGES FACING THE BAPTISTS: PHARISAISM
CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS
Having pastored Baptist churches (in two States of Australia and in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) for 35 years, spoken to all the Baptist pastors' conferences around Australia and in many other countries, and preached in about 250 Baptist churches around the world, here are my suggestions about the issues Baptists are facing. They vary in intensity from place to place and church to church.
BAPTIST PHARISAISM
The essential issue here is the elevation of dogma or church rules over 'accepting' those whom God accepts (Romans 15:7). The two key issues are social justice (Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42) and open membership. Until recently Baptists were quite muted about their concern for the poor, and the causes of such poverty. Fortunately they are reading Jesus and the prophets again! On the issue of open membership, see my paper on the subject. Briefly, if Jesus said accepting people is more important than sticking to ordinances (even an important ordinance like baptism) then let's follow Jesus rather than the pharisees! Nothing can be added to grace, not even baptism. The Baptist principle of 'liberty of conscience' should apply here as everywhere else. A system which allows a sexually active young person or greedy adult to be a member of most of our churches (and they are!) but not a godly Anglican or Salvationist has got to have something wrong with it. Baptists have to be reminded they're Christians first, Baptists second.
****
Here's something I just sent to our state Baptist paper (The Victorian Baptist Witness):
WE SINNERS
There are many ways to measure a church’s health. But let’s start with a diagnosis of the illness (the Bible calls it ‘sin’).
There are three kinds of sinners – those who know they’re sinners and aren’t ready (yet) to change; those who don’t know they’re sinners, but believe all others not-like-them need to change; and those who know they’re sinners and want to change...
The sinless Jesus befriended the first group (‘acceptance precedes repentance’) annoying the Pharisees (‘repentance precedes acceptance’: ‘change your beliefs/behavior before you’re acceptable here’). Jesus says ‘I do not condemn you’, before ‘Go and sin no more’. Pharisees can’t help associating people with their sins – especially sexual sins.
Pharisees are ‘righteous’ but don’t know they are in need of grace (despite their protestations to the contrary). They know what's/who's right. They’re still crucifying Jesus, but don't know it.
'Saints' know their need of grace (they are not - yet - perfect). Although 'saint' is not used in the singular in the Bible (Pharisees are quick to point that out, though they employ plenty of other concepts, like 'Sunday School', which are also not in the Bible) the term has been employed by evangelicals - like the great Methodist Dr. W.E.Sangster - to denote people on the road to holiness. (So forget medieval stained- glass ideas about these people).
Pharisees think they've 'arrived' - they know it all. They believe almost precisely what their 'respected' Bible teachers taught them. They have nothing whatever to learn from those not-like-them. They think they know God’s law in the Bible but miss the main point, said Jesus - justice/love: see Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42.
Saints are maturing, growing, in faith, hope, and love. They discover God's truth and God's will in all sorts of unlikely places.
An easy way to pick a modern Pharisee: they emphasize 'truth' over love. Their creeds and systematic theologies have it all nailed down. Those becoming ‘saints’ emphasize love over (anyone's incomplete definition of) 'truth'. The saint's prayer is 'Lord be merciful to me, a sinner!' (Luke 18:9ff). And regarding 'truth' they believe that 'God has yet more light and truth to break forth from His Holy Word'.
More… ‘How to Know the Lord’ - http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/579.htm
Pharisees Ancient and Modern - http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/13113.htm
Rowland Croucher
June 2008
Having pastored Baptist churches (in two States of Australia and in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) for 35 years, spoken to all the Baptist pastors' conferences around Australia and in many other countries, and preached in about 250 Baptist churches around the world, here are my suggestions about the issues Baptists are facing. They vary in intensity from place to place and church to church.
BAPTIST PHARISAISM
The essential issue here is the elevation of dogma or church rules over 'accepting' those whom God accepts (Romans 15:7). The two key issues are social justice (Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42) and open membership. Until recently Baptists were quite muted about their concern for the poor, and the causes of such poverty. Fortunately they are reading Jesus and the prophets again! On the issue of open membership, see my paper on the subject. Briefly, if Jesus said accepting people is more important than sticking to ordinances (even an important ordinance like baptism) then let's follow Jesus rather than the pharisees! Nothing can be added to grace, not even baptism. The Baptist principle of 'liberty of conscience' should apply here as everywhere else. A system which allows a sexually active young person or greedy adult to be a member of most of our churches (and they are!) but not a godly Anglican or Salvationist has got to have something wrong with it. Baptists have to be reminded they're Christians first, Baptists second.
****
Here's something I just sent to our state Baptist paper (The Victorian Baptist Witness):
WE SINNERS
There are many ways to measure a church’s health. But let’s start with a diagnosis of the illness (the Bible calls it ‘sin’).
There are three kinds of sinners – those who know they’re sinners and aren’t ready (yet) to change; those who don’t know they’re sinners, but believe all others not-like-them need to change; and those who know they’re sinners and want to change...
The sinless Jesus befriended the first group (‘acceptance precedes repentance’) annoying the Pharisees (‘repentance precedes acceptance’: ‘change your beliefs/behavior before you’re acceptable here’). Jesus says ‘I do not condemn you’, before ‘Go and sin no more’. Pharisees can’t help associating people with their sins – especially sexual sins.
Pharisees are ‘righteous’ but don’t know they are in need of grace (despite their protestations to the contrary). They know what's/who's right. They’re still crucifying Jesus, but don't know it.
'Saints' know their need of grace (they are not - yet - perfect). Although 'saint' is not used in the singular in the Bible (Pharisees are quick to point that out, though they employ plenty of other concepts, like 'Sunday School', which are also not in the Bible) the term has been employed by evangelicals - like the great Methodist Dr. W.E.Sangster - to denote people on the road to holiness. (So forget medieval stained- glass ideas about these people).
Pharisees think they've 'arrived' - they know it all. They believe almost precisely what their 'respected' Bible teachers taught them. They have nothing whatever to learn from those not-like-them. They think they know God’s law in the Bible but miss the main point, said Jesus - justice/love: see Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42.
Saints are maturing, growing, in faith, hope, and love. They discover God's truth and God's will in all sorts of unlikely places.
An easy way to pick a modern Pharisee: they emphasize 'truth' over love. Their creeds and systematic theologies have it all nailed down. Those becoming ‘saints’ emphasize love over (anyone's incomplete definition of) 'truth'. The saint's prayer is 'Lord be merciful to me, a sinner!' (Luke 18:9ff). And regarding 'truth' they believe that 'God has yet more light and truth to break forth from His Holy Word'.
More… ‘How to Know the Lord’ - http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/579.htm
Pharisees Ancient and Modern - http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/13113.htm
Rowland Croucher
June 2008
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