What are Southern Baptists, particularly their church services, like?
January 25th, 2012Lets start with why I’m asking this question: I’m writing a screenplay. I don’t need to be preached at by believers or non-believers; even if you knew what I stand for, you couldn’t change it. I’m looking for facts from people who are or have been in the SBC or have been to an SBC service.
Further, I’ve read the BF&M, I know what basics of the Baptist denomination are. I’m looking for specifics; thus I’ll ask a few pointed questions. Any of the workings of the SBC you’re willing to share outside my questions is fine as long as its facts or your interpretation of facts; again, no preaching.
About the Southern Baptist Convention church service:
1) Are there many hymns? Is this done with a choir or is it just the congregation?
2) Is there any specific order to the service? Any specific prayers or doxologies that are usually present? Passing the peace?
3) What kind of tone does the pastor tend to use? Does he preach forcefully or more conversationally? Is it generally loud or soft?
4) Is the topic more often about fearing or rejoicing? Is it more about "With God there is heaven" "Without God there is hell" or is it more lessons on how to live ones life? How many times (if at all) in a given church service does the Pastor refer to the congregation as "sinners"?
5) Do all churches have a deacon or just the moderate to large one?
6) What is worn to church? I’ve heard suits and dresses, but I was reading that the SBC churches in my (northern) city have people attend with jeans, shorts, sandals, etc. Is this generally accepted at other churches (particularly in the rural south) or are other churches more formal?
About the Southern Baptist Convention in general:
1) Are they totally against evolution? Because of individual soul liberty and responsibility, I would think they’d leave that up to the individual, but the only thing I found said "they generally reject evolution". What do they preach at church about it?
2) Are they accepting of personal interpretations of the Bible? I would guess they are (individual soul liberty and responsibility and all) but the perception seems to be that they’re really strict.
3) The BF&M seems pretty open-minded. However, the perception of Southern Baptists seems to be that they hold very fast to some principles that many Christians don’t. Not drinking is just one of them (and from what I’ve read, the SBC is actually divided on the issue) If these principles exist, what are they and to what extent are they followed?
Alright, I think that’s about everything. Sorry for writing a book there. However, the more you can give me the better. Thanks in advance for your help.
One last thing: I can see how some of these questions could be interpreted as offensive. I truly don’t intend it and am sorry if I have offended you. I plan to portray Christianity and the SBC in a positive way.
1. Some SBC have a choir, and in some the body does all the singing, there are at least 4 hymns
2. Yes, there is a specific order to the service, but the order is set by the body. The basics though are, Opening Hymn, Offering Hymn, Offering Prayer, Hymn, Messages, Hymn, Sermon, Invitational Hymn, Invitation, Closing.
3.Depends on the Pastor.
4.I have seen Hellfire preachers and Fluffy Jesus preachers.
5. All SBC have Deacons, none have just one.
6. There is one body I know of where the dress code makes you feel like you are back in the 1950s when you walk in the door, and another in which the dress code was a loin cloth, like John the Baptist wore. And everywhere in between.
1.Evolution is unproven, and not accepted as policy by the SBC. It is taught in SBC schools though.
2. Somewhat accepting, but it is a very limited acceptance. They are more accepting of a body-wide interpretation
3. Not drinking and not dancing are firm principles of the SBC. My guess would be that only 1/2 the members abide by those restrictions.
If you really want to know about the SBC, go attend a few services at different bodies. There are differences between bodies. There is one I know of which will not do any contemporary Christian songs in their worship, and another one which has their own Christian Rock band. There is one body I know of where the dress code makes you feel like you are back in the 1950s when you walk in the door, and another in which the dress code was a loin cloth, like John the Baptist wore.
D, The “New World Order.”