Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Corbin

[Larry Parsons]

Statements of Faith

First Baptist Church of Corbin seeks to be a free and faithful voice of the Gospel, witnessing with integrity the presence of Jesus Christ and the mission of the church. This community of faith dedicates itself to preserving and practicing historic Baptist principles and traditions.

Soul Freedom The principle belief that each human is created with dignity, and as such, embodies the capacity to enter into relationship with the Creator by his or her own free will.

Bible Freedom The principle belief that individuals have both the liberty and responsibility to interpret sacred scripture for themselves; ideally utilizing the best study tools available.

Church Freedom The principle belief that each local church has the freedom and responsibility to ordain whom they see fit, select leaders, and make decisions in matters relating to church governance without external influence.

Religious Freedom The principle belief that through separation of church and state individuals do not live out their faith because of civil law, but because their conscience and experience leads them to do so.

We affirm an equal place for women, respect other religious traditions, and empower lay leadership. We have no "soap-boxes," only deeply held convictions that inform everything we do.

Could a Nazarene church use this:
Thanks
Larry

[Benjamin Burch]

Statements of Faith

First Baptist Church of Corbin seeks to be a free and faithful voice of the Gospel, witnessing with integrity the presence of Jesus Christ and the mission of the church. This community of faith dedicates itself to preserving and practicing historic Baptist principles and traditions.

Soul Freedom The principle belief that each human is created with dignity, and as such, embodies the capacity to enter into relationship with the Creator by his or her own free will.

Bible Freedom The principle belief that individuals have both the liberty and responsibility to interpret sacred scripture for themselves; ideally utilizing the best study tools available.

Church Freedom The principle belief that each local church has the freedom and responsibility to ordain whom they see fit, select leaders, and make decisions in matters relating to church governance without external influence.

Religious Freedom The principle belief that through separation of church and state individuals do not live out their faith because of civil law, but because their conscience and experience leads them to do so.

We affirm an equal place for women, respect other religious traditions, and empower lay leadership. We have no "soap-boxes," only deeply held convictions that inform everything we do.

Could a Nazarene church use this:
Thanks
Larry

Personally, I think we already have our own Articles of Faith and Mission Statements. I do, however, think that this type of church would be one which a Nazarene Church would find easy and beneficial to work with. We share many of the same core convictions.

[Shea Zellweger]

It's interesting. I think the emphasis on individual faith and diminished statements about community are not the kind of thing I would push, but that's more that there's something missing, rather than that there is anything within it with which I disagree.

[John Kennedy]

It's interesting. I think the emphasis on individual faith and diminished statements about community are not the kind of thing I would push, but that's more that there's something missing, rather than that there is anything within it with which I disagree.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is sort of a denomination within a denomination. Some of them have affiliation with the SBC and some with the American Baptists. They generally, from what I have learned about them, represent a moderate response to the increasingly fundamentalist segment of the SBC. If you look at the statement's references to soul freedom, Bible freedom, and church freedom this may make a bit more sense. Try Googling Cooperative Baptist Fellowship churches and I think you see what I mean.

[Shea Zellweger]

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is sort of a denomination within a denomination. Some of them have affiliation with the SBC and some with the American Baptists. They generally, from what I have learned about them, represent a moderate response to the increasingly fundamentalist segment of the SBC. If you look at the statement's references to soul freedom, Bible freedom, and church freedom this may make a bit more sense. Try Googling Cooperative Baptist Fellowship churches and I think you see what I mean.

I saw that in the statement. I just think it might be an over-reaction.

[John Kennedy]

I saw that in the statement. I just think it might be an over-reaction.

With some of what's gone down in the last 10-15 years in the SBC, OVER-reaction might be difficult. Actually in looking at that particular congregation's website and the websites of related congregations, they seem to be pretty commited to achieving community.

I think it's safe to say that I'm not particularly Baptist oriented, but from what I've learned about CBF and Alliance of Baptist churches, some of them would be reasonably attractive.

[David Troxler]

Statements of Faith

First Baptist Church of Corbin seeks to be a free and faithful voice of the Gospel, witnessing with integrity the presence of Jesus Christ and the mission of the church. This community of faith dedicates itself to preserving and practicing historic Baptist principles and traditions.

Soul Freedom The principle belief that each human is created with dignity, and as such, embodies the capacity to enter into relationship with the Creator by his or her own free will.

Bible Freedom The principle belief that individuals have both the liberty and responsibility to interpret sacred scripture for themselves; ideally utilizing the best study tools available.

Church Freedom The principle belief that each local church has the freedom and responsibility to ordain whom they see fit, select leaders, and make decisions in matters relating to church governance without external influence.

Religious Freedom The principle belief that through separation of church and state individuals do not live out their faith because of civil law, but because their conscience and experience leads them to do so.

We affirm an equal place for women, respect other religious traditions, and empower lay leadership. We have no "soap-boxes," only deeply held convictions that inform everything we do.

Could a Nazarene church use this:
Thanks
Larry

It would seem that the two statements that I highlighted above could be the opening for conflict. If someone genuinely reads and interprets Scripture in a way that is not traditionally Baptist, would they indeed be still welcome to do so?

On another note, I am glad that I am part of a denomination that does not leave ordination to local whims but has a corporate basis for approved study and credentialling.

[David Pettigrew]

This group is also sometimes referred to as "Jimmy Carter Baptists".

[John Kennedy]

This group is also sometimes referred to as "Jimmy Carter Baptists".

Yeah, that's undoubtedly how the deep water boys at the forks of the creek view them. But, as I said, given what's going on in the SBC and with elements to the right of them, the Cooperatives and Baptist Alliance can come off not looking too shabby.