Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 7/12/2004

Question
I would like to know what the differences are between the Southern Baptist Doctrine and Beliefs and the Doctrine and Beliefs of other Baptist Churches. What main points set the Southern Baptist Churches apart from  the Independent Baptists, the Free Will Baptists and so on.  I ask this question because I am currently on the Pastor Search Comittee for my Church. We have had a number of Pastors from different Baptist Churches send in their Resume,however, since they are not from Southern Baptist Churches, I am confused as to what they would preach and teach!
Any help you can give me would be very appreciated!

Answer
BLessings and thank you for your questions.

First there are 3 main Baptist denominations in our country: the SBC, the ABC (American Baptist Convention), and the National Baptist Convention.  All three denominations were formed out of the original baptist conference.  The issue of slavery drove Southern Baptists into their own convention.  This left 2 conventions Northern (American) Baptist and Southern.  After the civil war a black Baptist Convention was formed (the National Baptist Convention).

Today the American Baptist Convention is as diverse as the SBC.  There are conservatives, fundamentalists, and liberals all in the same convention just like the SBC.  However as a whole the ABC is more open to women serving in ministry, more open to miniorities, and tend to be conservative in theology but not fundamental.

Independent Baptists are diverse.  There is no way to pin down what they stand for on their own.  But they tend to be more fundamental or conservative.  Some broke off of mainline denominations, some were just started identpendently.

Primitive Baptists claim primary descent from certain Baptist churches in Wales and in the Midlands of England. The views of these Baptists are summarized in the 1655 Midland Confession of Faith.

Free Will Baptists - The rise of Free Will Baptists can be traced to the influence of Baptists of Arminian persuasion who settled in the colonies from England.  Free will baptists consider foot washing to be the third ordinance practiced in the church.  

The best way to approach canidates from outside the SBC is to ask them to give you a statement of faith.  Don't rule out men of God just because they aren't part of the SBC.

Blessings