Baptist leaders have lost the plot

Jesus saved me in Thirroul Baptist Church approximately 32 years ago. Unfortunately Thirroul Baptist Church ceased to exist approximately 11 years ago because the then pastor erred badly, forcing some of us to leave. During those 21 very happy years at Thirroul I learned that Baptists are people of the Book, which is why the pulpit is in the centre of the building. I also learned that the service format was consistent everywhere and that Believers Baptism and Communion were extremely important sacraments. I still hold to these values but many Baptist ministers do not which is why we have lost our identity.

These newer style Baptist churches do not exhibit any new Biblical insights that I’m aware of, instead they’ve given ground to the charismatic and Anglican style of “one in all in, and it doesn’t matter what you believe so long as we love each other, churches that focus on fellowship not doctrine.”

Wollongong Baptist Church recently voted for open membership. Imagine, a Baptist church throwing away Believers Baptism for a mess of pottage? In reality it’s no longer a Baptist Church, albeit the name remains.

This visionary taskforce is proof positive to me that the leaders of Baptist Churches have lost the plot, which is why, when I left Thirroul I determined to a) never follow another minister again, and b) study theology so I’d know what you know. And what I’ve learned and what I’m still learning is that now we Baptists often stand for nothing and sit for everything. The days when a Baptist minister could transfer to any other Baptist Church have long gone because current practice, leadership, governance, ministry and cooperation vary enormously. And you’ve only got yourselves to blame – ‘like pastor, like people.”

In this month’s Together In Ministry there are four vacancies for pastors:
1) Melton Baptist
2) Thornleigh Baptist
3) Blayney Community Baptist (I was taught that we are the ecclesia, called out of the community)
4) Coffs Harbour Baptist

Of those four churches only Coffs Harbour Baptist want a “man of prayer, worship and the Word, Spirit filled, a teacher, motivator and a family man.” Melton Baptist want to win more people for Christ (no worries there but they should read Jn 6:44 first) and impact the community (which could mean anything and everything), Thornleigh want someone for cross-cultural ministry and Blayney will send an information pack first. If I were a pastor the only church I’d consider would be Coffs Harbour because their advertisement comes closest to the Biblical requirements.

And yet each of these churches calls themselves Baptist. No wonder you have an identity crisis. Perhaps we ought return to the “old ways” and become people of the Book and the Baptist Confession of Faith (1689), and regulate the worship services because if we don’t then perhaps this denomination is doomed to fade into oblivion like the Methodists, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians.

Two weeks ago we holidayed at [a certain NSW] Baptist Church ([pastor] trained at Morling College). At the 9am service I’d estimate the average age at around 45-50 with a smattering of couples with children) and yet the service format follows Hillsong. Round one features the dolly bird + back up singers + amplified guitars & drum worship team which has effectively destroyed congregational singing. So loud are they that singing is impossible so the congregation stands mute (I’m informed this was only the back up band, the neighbours complain about the noise from the regular band). Round two is the pastoral prayer/offering before the worship team begins round three. After this [the pastor] spoke and then the worship team ended with round four of more amplified music. And there was no benediction from the pastor either. Despite older people voicing their disapproval at the level and type of music, this format continues unabated except for the “traditional service” (ie, old fogies who refuse to change) at 11am. And this is [this pastor's] idea of a Baptist Church. In reality he has split the church into separate groups in an erroneous effort to supposedly make the services relevant (one might ask to whom but I won’t).

So where do [this pastor's] ideas come from? Not the Bible and therefore not from God so the only sources left are himself or Satan. Has he been deceived I wonder? The pastor at Thirroul certainly was, but refused to accept that falling over at a Rodney Howard Browne service, driving the church down the charismatic road and speaking in tongues, etc, was not motivated by the Holy Spirit.

And obviously Hillsong must be of God otherwise the thousands who attend wouldn’t come. Of course they don’t preach or teach about the wrath of God on unrepentant sinners but they sincerely believe we have free will pertaining to salvation and once you believe, God then becomes your mate who wants you to be prosperous.

Since we are brothers in Christ I’ve endeavoured to remain impersonal and non-accusative but I’m convinced that the problems within this denomination stem from erroneous ideas forced on the churches by ministers who have frankly been deceived. Instead of heeding God’s injunction to Joshua, you read other minister’s ideas and look at outward signs like attendance and activity as proof of God working.

Despite 32 years of listening to sermons I’ve not heard one on discernment of spirits with the result being that we sincerely believe that every thought and every idea is from God. No one really considers that Satan can deceive them despite the truths of 2 Cor 4:4 and other scriptures.

You may not agree with anything I written so I’ve attached my reply to Steve Bartlett for your appraisal. Since I’m not a minister and never will be my views are irrelevant but I do reserve the right to decide whether to follow a minister or not, and in 32 years I’ve only met one and he’s now in heaven. It was devastating to see Thirroul disintegrate internally but its worse seeing other Baptist Churches go down the very same pastor – led path.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bill Clayton