A god who condemns people to an eternal hell for evil committed during a human lifespan isnt worthy of worship. I appreciate being asked to offer you guys a word of support, but you should be offering support to me and anyone else lucky enough to hear what you have to say. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. I remember one of the missionary wives who was married to the man who used to be a division leader in the bus ministry at hac and fbc and I always thought she looked and dressed so incredibly homely, almost as if she walked straight out of Little House on the Prairie set. If you're unfamiliar with the beliefs and practices of the Independent Fundamental Baptists, some of them are: IFBs also generally believe that the will of a child must be broken before it ever has a chance to develop: a fussing or crying baby is exerting its selfish will. Students may be expelled at any time, for any reason, if the president of the school deems the reason sufficient (my 2nd grade brother was expelled for defiance). When he got in trouble, Hyles was able to simply move on, from one church assignment to the next. As I once told a liberal congregation, the IFB church I grew up in had an eleventh commandment in their Bibles, Thou shalt not [fill in the blank]. Sarcasm, yes, however, I swear they half the time they invented it as they went along. One alleged abuser went on to serve as an administrator in a Christian school in a different state, even after Shiflett warned the schools pastor. Another rule our Church had not on your list; women shall not cut their hair. Beside the fact that you were likely born into IFB and so never chose to believe anything about it one way or another, your allegiance to IFB means nothing more than that you love. It's just the nature of them I guess. But Black Baptists reject the MAGA revolution that has taken the GOP, and the SBC, by storm. Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Cult Survivors. Im thinking right now of a case from the early 1990s in which a small-town Louisiana pharmacist who noticed that she was handling an extraordinary number of prescriptions for a rare cancer drug, and spoke out. Their page says "Our church is a friendly fundamental Bible-believing Independent Baptist . Who Do the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists Say They Are? Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The Baptist church started in the 17th century in America. That is their unforgiveable sin. Thanks! Spiritual Abuse - Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Deception Enforcing King James only-ism down the throats in some of their groups. Are you saying God is a legalist? When it is obvious he is totally broken, she will hand him the rag and very calmly say, "Johnny, clean up your mess.". It has been redacted and edited into the simplified 1611 King James Bible (its not a version, versions are of Satan). Pastors of large churches and leaders of fundamentalist institutions such as Bob Jones, John R. Rice, and Jack Hyles still identified with the label fundamentalist. This movement was characterized by a staunch commitment to biblical orthodoxy filteredthrough the King James Bible, an adherence to second-degree separation or that idea that Christians must separate themselves frombothunbelievers (the world)andfellow conservative Protestants who did not separate sufficiently enough from unbelievers (Billy Graham and the rest of the neo-evangelicals fell into this second category), and a propensity for strong white preachers who ran independent congregations that were not accountable to denominations. In America, a former member of the Church of England, Roger Williams, separated from officials in the Massachusetts Bay Colony over his belief about church functions. I pray for all of you. Dreherlives in Baton Rouge, La. Much of this movement was a response to the so-called neo-evangelical movement. And then theres the OTs 600+ laws, including the Ten Commandments. The short answer is that going to the movies supported Hollywood. A friendly fellowship group for members of local New Testament Independent Baptist churches. They didn't give over their will over to God. You know that I am Independent. The number of articles in the multi-part series exceeds the number of free articles non-subscribers are permitted to read each month. The Independent Baptist Fellowship is the end-product of the legacy journey that started some 60 years ago. Aug 10, 2008. He is the man of God who speaks for God. Cat got his tongue? Thou shalt hide this alcohol so the pastor doesnt see it when he visits you because you missed Sunday school due to a hangover. For the larger child, a belt or larger tree branch is effective. Thou shalt leave a tract in the restroom after thou hast used it. The name Independent Fundamental Baptist Church is used traditionally by churches which pattern themselves strictly after the example of the early church, as found in the New Testament. Baptism means that a believer is bodily immersed in water followed by being raised up out of the water again. I hope you have figured out by now that you have really stepped in the proverbial shit pile. So men cant have facial hair but women can? Way over the edge. You loved when you had no more love to give. The investigation is ongoing. Who are the Independent Baptists, and what do they believe? Independent Fundamental Baptist | SHARPER IRON Generally speaking howe. The modern fundie bible is full of contradictions and lies. If he continues to show defiance by jerking around and defending himself, or by expressing anger, then she will wait a moment and again lecture him and again spank him. They kept what they needed. July 20, 2020 News Division. Twenty-one abuse allegations were uncovered exclusively by the Star-Telegram, and others were documented in criminal cases, lawsuits and news reports. America needs great Independent Baptist churches again. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. Landmarkism began as a movement in the mid-1800's mainly in the Southern Baptist Convention. Im sure that if your God is all about love and grace he will know our hearts better than you and will fully understand in his 3-omni way. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. The name Independent Fundamental Baptist Church is used traditionally by churches which pattern themselves strictly after the example of the early church, as found in the New Testament. Fritts' church is affiliated with The New Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement and is listed along with 29 others on the movement's website, which explicitly states that it is not a denomination. What's the difference in independent baptists and southern baptists Or their kids just went to Rutgers, but with the assurance that they would be faithful members of a Campus Crusade chapter there. you're wrong!" IndependentBaptist.com was founded in an attempt to bring back the principles that lifted our movement in the 60's and 70's and that need to be revived in this day. Thou shalt not look at pornography, and if thou dost thou shalt delete thy browsing history so thy wife of thy youth dost not find it, and thou shalt confess thy sins at the alter on Sunday morning.Thou canst repeat this cycle each week for the lord hast made provision for modern man if he dost confess his sins before god each day and every Sunday. This letter is in downloadable as a PDF here. You brought the goods to the table. I would be more impressed if your god, who is supposed to be omnipotent, couldnt just save everyone. But evangelicals should recognize that clerical sex abuse is widespread, and some evangelical and fundamentalist churches do cover up problems and pass them on to others. My mom grew up with this rule but never was told why. Feel free to add your own additions to the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Rule Book. Copyright 2023 The Life and Times of Bruce Gerencser Powered by Flywheel, Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Lingo, A Guide to IFB-Speak, Black Collar Crime: Pastor Eddy Noelsaint Accused of Rape, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Youth Pastor Josh Henley Sentenced to Forty-Five Years in Prison for Sex Crimes Against Children, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Student Ministry Leader Vernon Willis Accused of Inappropriately Touching Church Girls, Evangelicals are an Existential Threat to the United States, Some Atheists Think I was Stupid for not Deconverting Sooner, Black Collar Crime: Catholic School Teacher Verity Beck Accused of Murdering Her Parents, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Evangelist Chris Brooks Accused of Assaulting His Wife, Why I Write The Black Collar Crime Series and Will Continue to Do So Despite Criticism from Evangelicals, Dr. David Tee Thinks Everyone Who is Not a Christian is an Atheist, Bruce, I Pray You Will Have Your Eyes Opened and the Truth will Guide You, Dont Dress Like a Whore if You Dont Want to Get Sexually Assaulted Says Lori Alexander, Thou shalt obey all adults at all times if you are a child or teenager, Thou shalt obey your husband at all times if you are a woman, Thou shalt obey your parents at all times, Thou shalt obey the police and government unless the pastor says it is a sin against God to do so, Thou shalt give a faith promise missionary offering, Thou give an offering any time the pastor says God is saying to collect a special offering, Thou shalt attend church every time the doors are open, Thou shalt pray for every meal, but ice cream at Dairy Queen after church requires no prayer, Thou shalt only use the King James Bible 1611 edition which is really the 1769 revision, Thou shalt only use the Scofield King James Bible, Thou shalt not have long hair (over your ears, collar) if you are a man, Thou shalt not have a block cut hairstyle if you are a man, Thou shalt not have facial hair if you are a man, but if you are a woman you can have facial hair, Thou shalt not have tattoos unless you have prison tats from your life before Christ, Thou shalt not take the hem out of your Levi jeans or alter your clothing in any way so that you look worldly, Thou shalt not wear pants (britches) if you are a woman, Thou shalt not wear shorts, but a woman can wear Baptist shorts also known as culottes, Thou shalt not expose any flesh if you are a woman, especially your thighs, breasts, or back, Thou shalt only wear dresses with hemlines below the knees if you are a woman, Thou shalt not have any physical contact with the opposite sex if you are unmarried, Thou shalt not have more than one hole in each ear if you are a woman, Thou shalt not pierce any body part except your ear, and then only if you are a woman, Thou shalt not watch TV, but if you are a carnal Christian and must watch TV thou shalt only watch, Thou shalt not go to the movie theater, but using streaming services is okay, Thou shalt always have tracts in your shirt pocket or purse, ready to evangelize at a moments notice, Thou shalt drive a car with church advertising stickers, IFB cliches, or Bible verses attached to the bumper, Thou shalt park down the street when visiting the local strip club or whore house lest the pastor know you are there and stay away, Thou shalt not listen to secular music, especially rock music, which is from the pit of hell, Thou shalt not listen to contemporary Christian music (CCM), Thou shalt not drink fermented alcohol after all, Jesus drank Welchs grape juice, Thou shalt not cuss, but saying darn, shoot, crap, freaking, and fudge are okay, Thou shalt not date non-Independent Baptist girls or boys, Thou shalt not have any non-Independent Baptist friends, Thou shalt home school your children or send them to a Christian school, Thou shalt only read pastor-approved Christian books, Thou shalt only believe what the pastor says you are to believe, Thou shalt say you have victory over sin, even if you are lying, Thou shalt adhere to the perception is reality rule, Thou shalt send your kids to the same Christian college the pastor went to, Thou shalt leave the church if you commit adultery, get a divorce, or get pregnant outside of marriage, Thou shalt believe everything the pastor says even when you are certain he is lying, speaking evangelistically, or embellishing his illustrations, Thou shalt wear a bra if you are a woman, and it can only be a white, underwire bra, Thou shalt not mix bathe (Baptist for swimming with the opposite sex), Thou shalt not go to amusement parks unless the youth group is going, Thou shalt not show emotion unless praising Jesus from 10:00 am to noon on Sunday or giving a testimony during Sunday evening service, Thou shalt say AMEN during at the appropriate time during the pastors sermon, especially when he shouts, pounds the pulpit, or performs gymnastics, Thou shalt not be angry even though the pastor is allowed to be angry, but thats because his anger is righteous anger, Thou shalt be for what the pastor is for and against what the pastor is against, because if you dont, a bear might come out of the woods and eat you, Thou shalt ignore any science that contradicts the Bible, Thou shalt never try to fix your own problems because the pastor is the official fixer of all problems, Thou shalt takes notes on the sermon even if the rabbit wanders five miles off the trail or the sermon is incoherent, Thou shalt always tell the pastor what a wonderful sermon he preached, even when you have no idea what he was talking about, Thou shalt always tell Sister Bertha what a wonderful job she did with her off-key rendition of, Thou shalt not use canned (taped) music for music specials. The Lordship controversy and misrepresenting the Lordship preachers. Your reporters deserve better management than this. I grew up with kids who were in churches like that one. Why? May 27, 2011 -- Ernest Willis, a New Hampshire man accused of raping and fathering a child with a 15-year-old girl . Note how Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University no longer identify as fundamentalist, but as evangelical and note how this assertion is accepted, unquestioned, by other evangelicals. Stuart Hardy was a youth and music pastor at an independent fundamental Baptist church in Michigan. Because its in human nature, for one, and for another, because the clergy have an extraordinary amount of power (real and symbolic) within the ecclesiology of both churches. Your pastor is burdened for America & hasnt slept since 1976. Could someone please explain? Another rule for students was that thou shalt not attend the roller skating rink upon threat of expulsion. I may yet end up in Hell myself, but I wont see you there, nor will you see me. . The Official Independent Baptist Rulebook, Known in Some Churches as Church Standards Thou shalt obey the pastor at all times Thou shalt obey all adults at all times if you are a child or teenager Thou shalt obey your husband at all times if you are a woman Thou shalt obey your parents at all times And the all important, Thou shalt not, never, under no circumstances, not even in thought, criticize the pastor. Gods anointed, remember! He may not be able to sleep, but he can be trained to lie there quietly. But they also have a high regard for the Bible. sigh Do you realize how offensive your words are to unbelievers; people who struggled and agonized over leaving Christianity? Thou shalt not molest children, and if ye do thou shalt confess it to the pastor so he can hide it from the police and threaten the congregation into silence. Shame on you, sir. I was in the Christian church for 50 years. And it was, of course, wholly absent among Christians before 1611. Yelling, storytelling, and moralism replaced proclaiming simply what God has said. Glad the LORD has used them, to influence your life! And there are Baptist ch. If you have to sit on him to spank him then do not hesitate. For decades, women and children have faced rampant sexual abuse while worshiping at independent fundamental Baptist churches around the country. New 'Dating' Website Launches for Mingling KJVO Baptists - It's About On the bare legs or bottom, switch him eight or ten licks; then, while waiting for the pain to subside, speak calm words of rebuke. ? Look at homosexuality within the priesthood. It tried to explain and figure out why IFB churches seem to be drying up and closing their doors. Dr. R has some real practical theology problems. One of my other professors did allow that saying shoot was okay, as she was used to people from Ohio saying it! You did what you were supposed to do: you sacrificed yourself. The Black Baptist preachers affiliated with the SBC aren't proclaiming a Black Jesus, railing against white racism, or demanding reparations from white Baptists. He did not respond to specific questions that were sent to him. What does the description of an "Independent Fundamental Baptist" Church mean? Although I did finally deconvert I resent the years I lost trying to live under these ridiculous guidelines. Women not wearing pants, women not working, women being not allowed to speak up in church, have any sort of leadership role, etc. Thou shalt be baptized by full immersion in this particular denomination of church, preferably this specific church, otherwise it might have been a false baptism that didnt take. Great emphasis is placed on the literal interpretation of the Bible as the primary method of Bible study. The King James Version is the only true Word of God; all other translations of the Bible are the work of the devil. I am curious why the Ifb doesnt want Christians to go to the movie theatre? Unlike the Catholic Church, the fundamental Baptist church considers itself to be made up of independent entities. They believed that the neo-evangelical emphasis on cultural engagement with the world, and especially liberal or mainline Protestants, was a mark of unhealthy compromise that would eventually undermine true biblical faith in America. The Lord Jesus Christ Saves - His Plan of Salvatio Real Men Love Pink A Collection of Quotes by A. W. Pink, Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. Today the name Baptist is used by many churches that are not following the teachings of the New Testament. Let me stress here at the beginning that this is not about churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention; those Baptist churches are thought to be too liberal by the independent fundamentalists. Thou shalt always obey the speed limit, EXCEPT when the Pastor says it is Gods will that thou shalt go 10-20 miles over the speed limit so as not to miss lunch at camp. Sexism has long been part of the culture of Southern Baptists A bit later, concerned about creeping liberalism in that association, it split away to join the GARB (the General Association of Regular Baptists no, really, thats a thing). That will needs to be eliminated, since wherever human will is God's will cannot be. For their own dark reasons they kept that wicked dance going. BITE Model. What the fuck is YOUR problem?? But these folks were seen as a little bit too much by most of the people in the church, whose kids got to choose places like Philadelphia College of the Bible or Northeastern Bible College. reformed theology - Calvinism vs Independent Fundamental Baptist In the Midst of Infighting, Anti-LGBTQ Church Network's Website and I have been independent fundamental Baptist churches since I was four. And in a real and important sense you will always love them. You are a lying snake and lost as Hogan's goat." Pastor Tom Cassidy, First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, CA Advent Calendar Day 17: Fair and foul are near of kin, TRENDING AT PATHEOS Progressive Christian, Independent Fundamentalist Baptists are a creepy, creepy bunch. Homosexuals are evil perverts who despise God and should be kept away from society generally and children especially. And may you recognize your error while there is still time. I was never attacked by them, and to the best of my knowledge neither were my siblings. Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches Are MODERN Churches! Independent Baptist Churches believe the following "Independent Baptist Distinctives": 1. The Problem with Some Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches - Blogger In your cynical statement about the seemingly unseen book of rules, you failed to mention that they ultimately came from a God who loves you, and has your best interest at heart. NIFB Is A Cult | The NIFB Will Not Be Tolerated - How Is the New IFB A Maybe so. A world where you say what is and isn't good. I started listening to country music, drinking beer, watching movies, and eventually joined the military. Hundreds of Sex Abuse Allegations Found in Fundamental Baptist Churches God has greatly blessed this ministry, which now averages nearly 3,000 a week in attendance. Thou shalt not eat at a restaurant on Sunday. Its been the M.O. Much of what we think of as the religious right would fall into that murky space in between old-school fundamentalism and the mainstream evangelicalism of Billy Graham et. Bruce Gerencser, 65, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 44 years. Its not a good thing.. This is the Christianity of millions of North Americans. Perhaps the most well-known Independent Fundamentalist Baptists today are the Duggars, the quiverfull family made famous by the reality show19 Kids and Counting. You brought all of yourself. Every abortion, without exception, is murder. 6.) Biblical authority: the Bible is God's inspired Word and the final authority for what a person believes and practices. Baptist Theology - The Gospel Coalition Each IFB church is wholly autonomous and free from any outside governance. First Baptist Church of Glenarden 4.5. This is especially important, since the pastor needs his bodyguard detail rotated every so often. We were you at one time. The website, New IFB Singles, is a ministry of Veracity Baptist Church and is lead by New . If this doesnt work, she shall make the Sunday evening edition, Enjoy everyone! According to the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life, there are. The New Independent Fundamental Baptist (New IFB) movement is a loose network of independent churches concentrated in the U.S. connected by their belief in certain religious doctrines and a shared brand of deeply anti-LGBTQ and antisemitic teachings. Can same-sex couples be married in your church? Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, special report on sexual abuse and cover-ups in independent fundamental Baptist churches across the country, Hundreds Accuse Independent Baptist Pastors of Abuse, Hundreds of Sex Abuse Allegations Found in Fundamentalist BaptistChurches, Slavery and 'how to interpret the Bible' (cont'd.). Sermon Outlines - The Bible-Believing Fundamentalist The Official Independent Baptist Rulebook, Known in Some Churches as Church Standards. If you are a young woman, thou shalt wear knee-length dresses, with hose and heels at summer camp in the woods in the red clay mud when it rains. Southern Baptist leaders release a list of accused sexual abusers : NPR When he spoke out, other pastors condemned him. [8] They refuse any form of ecclesial authority other than that of the local church. In 1638, he founded the first Baptist church in America in uncolonized Rhode Island. I grew up in the IFB circles in the PNW. What's Wrong with the Independent Fundamental Baptists? Every church we went to was full of fucking pedophiles and rapists. Thou shalt not have more than one hole in each ear shall be amended as follows: WOMEN ONLY shall be permitted no more than one piercing in the earlobe of each ear. He cries in pain. If you'd like to see the rest of this post (the whole of which was too large to post here), thank you and it's here. Most of us have seen situations in the workplace, or in our families, in which whistleblowers were despised and cast out for telling the truth about a situation that threatened people within the group. I got a good laugh reading the list brought back some not so good memories from my time in a IFB church. Ben Bogard (1868-1951) was its chief defender during his lifetime. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. , I was brought up in evangelical churches which clung to much of this dogma. The label can be used by a range of autonomous, Bible-believing Baptists (fundamentalbeing a reference to the core doctrines of the Christian faith). They didn't sacrifice who they were. Your comments are welcome and appreciated. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has done some very impressive and important reporting in its long special report on sexual abuse and cover-ups in independent fundamental Baptist churches across the country. This is why I love Jesus. I would not have returned a clergyman to his former parish after what transpired but out of pastoral sensitivity to the desires of the overwhelming numbers of parishioners who sought his return, he said. And hold him there until he is surrendered. It is also my desire that those who have become nonbelievers will respond with a yes to Jesus. Independent Fundamental Baptists (dress codes, Jehovah's Witness, hell During the 1970s and 1980s, Falwell seemed to operate in a space somewhere between the independent Baptist world of his upbringing and the neo-evangelicalism of Billy Graham andChristianity Today. Sometimes alternatives have to be sought. God's Grace bible study podcast is a Independent Fundamental Baptist pobcast we use the KJV 1611 only. Answer (1 of 7): >> Why are Baptist Churches so legalistic? Answer (1 of 2): The Fundamental Baptists that my Family and myself have been around varied wildly; some were more strict than others, while some were more lax with the rules they imposed on themselves and others. The 5 Key Issues Facing The Independent Baptist World Today (IBTR #75) What a list! What is an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church? You showed up, ready to play. The cause is clear. 5.) For the sake of consistency in training, you must follow through. Grace alone. * Maybe some can relate to this cartoon from NAKEDPASTOR. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. And they used the best of who you are, and the best of what you have to give, to feed those lies. People who think that sexual abuse and its systematic cover-up is something that happens only in Roman Catholic Churches ought to read this devastating series in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, about how the same thing has been happening in a national network of independent fundamental Baptist churches. Glory to God alone. Its a philosophy its flawed, said Stacey Shiflett, an independent fundamental Baptist pastor in Dundalk, Maryland. Thou shalt not ever drink alcohol, unless its done in secret and confessed as sin on Sunday. Fundamental Baptist church pastors cover up sex abuse, rape | Raleigh I preached over 4,000 sermons. Where you claim what's true. I sometimes post on another board and (hopefully its ok) I would like to link a thread that is going on over there. Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Deception - Exposing the Dangerous Teachings of the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) Denomination Welcome to BaptistDeception.com Edit Exposing the Dangerous Teachings and Traditions of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Denomination Please scroll down to find a list of articles for your convenience. You could look into resolutions by Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International or World Congress of . Independent Baptist Colleges | The Baptist Brethren