Baptists getting on my nerves

KeysforChrist · Apr 16, 2003

What is it about the baptist church that they insist on telling everyone to "turn or burn" every single Sunday? I've been church shopping in my hometown up here lately, and I've had the misfortune of running into some "Community Churches" that all they do is tell everyone they are going to hell if they don't know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Don't misinterpret the frustration here, I'm all for winning souls for Christ, but folks, there are 66 books in the bible, can we at least explore a few of them, outside of John 3:16 and Romans 3:23?
I don't know about anyone else, but I get real tired of hearing the salvation message week in and week out. And 99% of the people in church have heard it a million times already as well. It would seem to me that the church would be better served preaching something people might not have heard before, rather then regurgitating the same message week in and week out. It's pretty weak theology if you ask me to repeat "turn or burn" every week. That to me takes no effort on the part of the pastor.

Anyone else have a similar experience? Anyone enjoy hearing it every week? Any of you baptists care to defend your faith? Maybe the Presbyterian in me is showing itself, but for my money, I want to get some "meat" with my worship experience, and the salvation message is like a broken record to me. I gave my life to Christ years ago, can me move on to more stimulating topics...please?

Gordi · Apr 16, 2003

Hi KeysforChrist

I'm currently Presbyterian myself at the mo, but I wasn't aware that all baptist churches would use this same message every week.

Indeed it is a bit weak if that is what the whole concentration of the message is all the time.  I would say though that it is important to make sure that anyone who isn't saved is getting the message that they need Christ.

This could be done though by setting aside a smaller amount of time each week for the message of salvation, and then every few weeks making it the main topic.

It is a very important message though. The most important message there is to be preached infact.

ZiSunka · Apr 16, 2003

Time is short and they want people to get saved. Their motive is very good.

If you want something else, though, you will have to find another church. Visit a non-baptist church or two and see if they are more to your liking. That's the reason for all the different denominations, you know, so everyone will find a place they can feel at home in.

Gordi · Apr 16, 2003

So most, if not all baptist churches do preach that message every week?

Don't get me wrong, the Salvation message is the most important there is.

But even as St Paul said himself, edifying the church is very important.  It would be understandable if they added the message of Salvation unto their subject every week, but to make it the whole subject each week, I must admit I do find that strange.

Gordi · Apr 16, 2003

KeysforChrist your pic reminds me of being in Bulgaria.  The snow was about that deep and it was difficult to run in when you're trying to get away from a wolf :help:

paulewog · Apr 16, 2003

I come from a baptist church... I haven't stumbled on many hellfire-and-damnation messages lately.

Church isn't only for saving - it's not an evangelical outreach, church is where believers get built up in Christ. The pastor is to Shepherd.. what? the flock. Teach, preach, not just evangelize (and if you preach the Word, God can use ANY passage

people have gotten saved while a pastor was preaching through the geneologies in the OT

)

.... but yeah, not all baptists do that =D hehe

Gideon4God · Apr 16, 2003

Today at 04:19 PM lambslove said this in Post #3

Time is short and they want people to get saved. Their motive is very good.

I agree with this.

I have been attending a local Baptist church with my wife who was raised baptist and I have never heard the same message twice.  The ending seems to be the same, Jesus Christ is Lord, what church doesn't preach this?  I attend mid week Bible study and sunday worship and find that I'm growing in the Lord, it must be revival week or something

in your town.  Speak to the pastor about.

Gideon

 

Athlon4all · Apr 16, 2003

That is a sad thing when a church has the unhealthy balance towards too much evangilism. There needs to be both preaching and teaching.

As for Baptists preaching the same message...My family has been associated with a Bible Baptist church for probably 8 years and our pastor has never done what you describe.

seebs · Apr 16, 2003

Seems to me, if they want people to get saved, they should use a variety of messages from the Bible. Some people won't be very receptive to one message, but might get interested by another. The people who can be saved by "turn-or-burn" are mostly *already* converted.

KeysforChrist · Apr 16, 2003

to clarify...the "turn or burn" message comes up mostly at the conclusion of the sermon. However, my pastor from the last church I regularly attended (that would be March 30th) just threw out his whole sermon and tried to scare everyone into thinking that a truck was going to hit them on the way out of leaving church and they needed to get saved today.

I think the difference in theology approach here is that in most Methodist and Presbyterian churches I have attended the pastor doesn't evangelize the congregation during the sermon, but as he prepares to give the benediction he always says that the "altar is open" for those who want to pray, and for those who wish to talk to someone about their walk with the Lord. That way, if an individual needs spiritual guidance they can do it, but that way the whole congregation doesn't have to be subjected to "turn or burn" every week.

As is the case here, by "turning or burning" during the sermon, these pastors are alienating the already saved Christian in me. Some may enjoy this approach, but I'd much prefer that someone who needs saving be given the opportunity in person with the pastor after the service has concluded.

ZiSunka · Apr 16, 2003

Some Baptist churches are like that, some are less so. There are a lot of different kinds of Baptist and some of them are very evangelistic and others are less so. It's been a long time since I was in a church where they didn't have an opporunity to get saved before the benediction. But if you are uncomfortable with it, Methodist and Catholic churches practically never do it. Try another church.

eldermike · Apr 16, 2003

You need to ask the pastor why He preached what He preached, there may be very sound reasons. You could ask Him why He is using this method, there again, He may have sound reasons. I have served in Baptist Churches where many that came were un-saved, it can be frustrating when Spirtual growth within the flock is slow or non-existant. I do agree, that it's not a good pratice when folks are visiting.

And, most important, many of these pastors need help. They are many times crying out for strong men to step up and serve. Most teaching is best from laymen who serve under the ministry of the pastor. If the structure is weak then the burden on the heart and body of the pastor is way more than they can stand. Could be that you are seeing some burnout. Perhaps they could use your help.

Eldermike

conceived in fire · Apr 16, 2003

kinda funny...i've never been to a baptist church in my life, but i still could have posted something a lot like what you said...so i dont think it has much to do with baptist vs other types of churches, but rather the individual churches themselves.

anyway, i've been to so many churches that do exactly what you said and it really does just leave me feeling 'cheated' almost...it's very important, sure, but it just leaves me feeling empty and untouched and to the point where i saw no reason at all to even attend church on sunday morning...i got a LOT more from bible studies than i ever did on sunday mornings.

DJ_1 · Apr 16, 2003

Hey there KeysforChrist.
Like others have said, I wouldn't generalize "The Baptist Church" or any other denomination for that matter on a few experiences. I have been to Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist churches where I didn't always like the sermon or its topic and those where I very much enjoyed the sermon.
There are different approaches, I don't think that makes any approach wrong (as long as the teaching is consistent with the Bible). You can still respect what they are doing, even if you personally prefer a diferent style. Its ok if you don't care for the sermon, if you are praying about finding a new church home,and seeking God's will, this could be the Holy Spirit telling you that church is not the one for you!

Also, we should keep in mind as Christians that when we go to church we should always strive to keep our focus on God (I'm not saying that anyone here is not doing that!)

paulewog · Apr 16, 2003

Speaking of generlizing, over in Russia, propoganda is passed out that say Baptists sacrifice their own children, and drown them...

You don't tell people, without clarifying, that you're a "Baptist" over there.

My pastor actually just did mention hell last Sunday. He's going through 1st Corinthians 15, and it just so happened that it was talking about the end-times/judgements, so....

Gideon4God · Apr 16, 2003

After a month in a Baptist church I haven't heard about hell once... I hear a lot about rebirth, holy living and the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ is for the first two things to occur. There is an altar call every Sunday, but we have a ton of vistors that come, due to door to door witnessing.

9-iron · Apr 16, 2003

Do you live in a small town?? I can't stereotype all small towns, but the one I grew up in the Baptist church pretty much fits that mold. That message of 'turn and burn' had is relevancy at one point in history, but it is not the case today. I think many churches have shifted to a message of love. I am going to guess the Baptist churches in your town are still operating under 1960's-70's church model. Kinda of like do you still sing out of hymnal or look up at a screen.

KeysforChrist · Apr 16, 2003

well, hard to say. Leesburg has 40,000 people, but it is considered the suburbs of Washington, DC, as a lot of people commute everyday into the District. However, the churches I am referring to are 2 and 3 years old respectively and are both based out of elementary schools as they are just starting out.

DJ_1 · Apr 16, 2003

Hey Keys, I used to live in D.C. myself a few years ago. Not sure how far away you are from Mclean, but have you ever heard of Mclean Bible Church?
http://www.mcleanbible.org/
They also have a radio program on WAVA.
Just a thought.
--Dean

KeysforChrist · Apr 16, 2003

I am actually considering visiting McLean, which is about 30 minutes east of here. I have had friends who have gone there. However, I'm not sure the big church environment would suit me, but I will probably visit there a couple of times just to check it out.

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