We're Independent... and we like it that way!!!

This tidbit (found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptists) makes me sad: "Baptists are a group of Christian denominations, churches, and individuals who subscribe to a theology of believer's baptism... ...and the autonomy of the local church. They are generally characterized by the practice of immersion... ...and a disavowal of authoritative creeds."

I can understand why they would want to separate themselves from "the world", but why do they find it so important to distance themselves from fellow believers?

I am a member of a Presbyterian church.  I didn't plan it that way, it just happened to be the church that my wife and I really liked when we were searching.  One of the many cool things about the Presbyterian church is the way it is interconnected throughout the city, country, and around the world, not only by name, but by a real organization that has a legitimate "governance" linking us together.  I dig the way that tends towards that unity that Jesus prayed his followers would have. 

Furthermore, our particular local congregation (and others) often partners with other churches outside our denomination completely, such as the A.M.E Zion church across town.  More unity.  But wait, there's even more!

We often use creeds in our liturgy.  Our pastor likes to point out that when we are reciting these creeds it is entirely possible that thousands of other believers around the world are reciting the same creed at the same time, in unity with us.  Furthermore, by reciting these creeds which are hundreds of years old, we are standing together in unity with believers of all denominations through the centuries, and even into the future!  How cool is that?!?

Now, why would you want to disavow that?

Separation of church and state

How do you think our forefather's envisioned religion and government interacting?

How do you think that applies today?

What do you consider ideal?

To win the war, you have to fight on the right battlefield!

a facebook status i posted last week sparked a lively conversation about religion and politics.  this was followed by a number of face-to-face and virtual conversations with people around me.  one of those conversations was with a friend and fellow believer at my workplace.  the conversation turned to the direction our government is heading, and ultimately about our religious liberties.  i was more than a little surprised when this typically strong individual came across as being pretty much terrified at the prospect of losing our current religious freedom.  i must have come off as being a yellow-bellied liberal pansy, because he basically accused me of laying down in front of the enemy when i replied that i was not afraid of that.  unfortunately, i found myself without proper words to express myself, and i'm almost certain i never really made sense. 

i was mostly surprised by his apparent fear of the possibilities of persecution and restriction of freedom to worship as we choose, but i will also admit that i am bothered by the approach that so many fellow believers take on advancing the Kingdom, and the role we play in that.  today i read on facebook a status of a "friend" who proclaimed that President Obama had canceled the national day of prayer.  i did a quick search of the internet and discovered that was not entirely true.  as it turns out, he will not be having a grand ceremony in honor of the event, as his predecessor did each year, but rather, he would issue a fairly standard written proclamation, and would carry on with his daily prayers in private.  no canceled day of prayer, but no grand ceremony.  same thing, right?  i then changed my status to quote a statement by a religious/political figure who noted that the president is not our nations pastor-in-chief.

so what's my point?  well, its really the same point i've been trying to make in most of my recent "public" statements- bigger is not better!  regardless of what our nation was founded as, or intended to be, it is not currently a "Christian" nation.  furthermore, if being a "Christian" nation involves having a majority born-again, baptized, spirit-filled government, i don't think it ever will be, nor do i think it should be!  on a slightly different topic, i don't think that gigantic crusades really advance the Kingdom either.  i don't think canvassing a different neighborhood every saturday to tell people they are going to hell works either.  and your stupid little cartoon scare-tactic tracts in public restrooms do more harm than good.  don't even get me started on the elitist premises of busing kids to your church from the surrounding 10 counties.  i don't even think church services are intended primarily for outreach, but that's another blog altogether...

ok, i think i've lost some of you.  here's my point, really simplified: the most effective way to advance the Kingdom of God is to live your life in such a way that you are loving the people around you, and building relationships with people that need to know Jesus.  i did not say anything about forcing your faith or laws on them.  i said love your neighbor.  one at a time.  like the Jesus fellow did. 

if we each focus on small scale advancement in our own little worlds, the potential is there to see world-wide effect, but if we try to "win" the world in one fell swoop, then we're doomed for epic failure.  Jesus said it best: love God, and love your neighbor.