My BFF the "Independent" Baptist (vent, almost a rant)

[Being_Brave]

I grew up Baptist, but I have to admit I never in my life heard the term “Independent Baptist” until today when my BFF used it to explain why her church is different from the Westborough Baptist Church (I was a bystander in the convo, not a participant). She said it was a new title her pastor was adding to further set them apart from the other churches.

All I could think is how silly it seems to put the word ‘independent’ before the word Baptist…they’re technically all independent, so it seems redundant. She’s very involved in her church and loves to talk about how advanced they are and how wonderful their services are (I attended one, and it was like watching a high school musical, with dancing on stage, powerpoints, huge projector screens, flashing lights and a complete band…and I don’t remember a single thing the preacher yelled at me shrug). But every Baptist church will say that about their services (another of my friends attends a Bible Baptist church and has services where women must wear skirts and have long hair, but can participate in the dancing and have the same powerpoints and projectors going on). When I was growing up church service was gospel music, all women/girls wore skirts, and the closest we got to dancing was clapping and swaying back and forth to the music (which was piano only). Obviously each has their own independent way of doing things!!

I’m not saying any of this to put down the Baptist faith, because I know that without it I would not be the person I am today. I am, however, saying that because every Baptist church is technically “independent”, I think it’s silly (and my BFF, who is a children’s minister for her church, will even say that no two are alike, and the beliefs vary depending on which church you go to).

I’d love for them to come to just one Mass with me and see how relaxing and calm service can be.

 

[AveChriste11]

I agree, it’s unfortunate that most services you go to end up being a rock concert. Most definitley the divine liturgy of the Orthodox, and the Catholic Mass are anything but concerts and there’s more to it than just the sermon thankfully. That way there’s no such thing as a “bad Mass”, because the homily’s not the main part of it.

 

[InspiritCarol]

I grew up Baptist, but I have to admit I never in my life heard the term “Independent Baptist” until today when my BFF used it to explain why her church is different from the Westborough Baptist Church (I was a bystander in the convo, not a participant). She said it was a new title her pastor was adding to further set them apart from the other churches.

All I could think is how silly it seems to put the word ‘independent’ before the word Baptist…they’re technically all independent, so it seems redundant. She’s very involved in her church and loves to talk about how advanced they are and how wonderful their services are (I attended one, and it was like watching a high school musical, with dancing on stage, powerpoints, huge projector screens, flashing lights and a complete band…and I don’t remember a single thing the preacher yelled at me shrug). But every Baptist church will say that about their services (another of my friends attends a Bible Baptist church and has services where women must wear skirts and have long hair, but can participate in the dancing and have the same powerpoints and projectors going on). When I was growing up church service was gospel music, all women/girls wore skirts, and the closest we got to dancing was clapping and swaying back and forth to the music (which was piano only). Obviously each has their own independent way of doing things!!

I’m not saying any of this to put down the Baptist faith, because I know that without it I would not be the person I am today. I am, however, saying that because every Baptist church is technically “independent”, I think it’s silly (and my BFF, who is a children’s minister for her church, will even say that no two are alike, and the beliefs vary depending on which church you go to).

I’d love for them to come to just one Mass with me and see how relaxing and calm service can be.

Cool. Sounds FUN!

My husband and I *love *to go to those things. It’s nice to see such passion for God.

We walk out of the services look at each other and say “now let’s go to Mass”, 'cause that just isn’t Church. Good times, yes… love 'em.

~lol~ Calling yourself an “independent Baptist” seems akin to calling yourself a “white Caucasian”. Sometimes you do want to be … just … that … clear… ~lol~

 

[JustaServant]

“Independent Baptists” are not “independent (which to them means non-denominational)”.
The term “denomination” generally referred to Protestant churches for the sake of “denominating” themselves from other Protestant churches. “
Independent, fundamental, Baptist” churches are a denomination because it is a name applied (“denominated”) to these churches. It has nothing to do with the form of church government.
Each church is connected in some way to a “Bible college” or a “camp”.

 

[RyanBlack]

Independent Baptist congregations are called “Independent” because they are not members of one of the several Baptist denominations, such as the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Churches, or the National Baptist Convention, etc.