Boy was I way off the mark (which is how some Baptists define ‘sin’). Wikipedia lists 62 different Baptist denominations in the United States alone! Here are some facts about the Baptists you may not have known.
- The denomination with the shortest name is the Regular Baptists. They used to be known as the Particular Baptists, which was to distinguish them from the General Baptists.
- The denomination with the longest name is the National Baptist Evangelical Life and Soul Saving Assembly of the U.S.A. This is an African-Americans missions body that broke off of the National Baptist Convention of America in 1937. For a while this denomination was headquartered in Boise, Idaho, which isn’t really known for its diversity. Now the denomination is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.
- The Six-Principle Baptists got their start in Rhode Island with the ministry of Roger Williams, who also founded the State.
- The group with the most interesting name (and extreme Calvinistic doctrine) is the Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian Baptists, who are commonly referred to as “anti-mission” Baptists. They teach that you were either born or good stock or evil stock and that your eternal dwelling place has already been determined, thus missions are a waste of time and money.
- The most infamous Baptist church, an independent one, is Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church. They’ve unfortunately made their hate-filled presence known in my community. Have they ever protested something in yours?
I will be attending one of the oldest American Baptist Churches in my town. The pastor has a unique background, has been influential in education, social work and historical preservation in my state. I look forward to worshipping alongside this congregation.
Do you attend an American Baptist Church? What should I expect this weekend?
Logging you in...
Timothy Kurek · 742 weeks ago
I've attended Independent Baptist Churches, Southern Baptist, American Baptist and Conservative Baptist organizations... They all essentially seemed alike, like cousins at a family reunion. Can't wait to read about your visit!
Bob McGrath 44p · 742 weeks ago
Mike Sholar · 742 weeks ago
Bob McGrath 44p · 741 weeks ago
Thanks for posting here. Hopefully you've read about my experience last Sunday.
I appreciate your question about my preconceived ideas; that is one of the reasons I am doing this project. For some of these churches/religions all I have are someone else's ideas. I'm really liking the thought of experiencing these people and places in my neighborhood through my own eyes, and hopefully developing some new relationships.
As to the Baptist church, I don't think I had a lot of negative bias going in. If pressed I would have used the words traditional, conservative, southern, and solid.
I also realize that it won't be fair for me to judge or categorize a whole denomination or religion based on one visit to one church. I felt the pastor this last Sunday was absolutely delightful, and I would really like to have a meal with them. That doesn't mean I want all Baptist preachers in my home for dinner next week. I'll start with the one that is my neighbor!
Again, thanks for reading and interacting with me!
John Rigler · 737 weeks ago