Part 1: The IFB way . . .

If the above quotes have peaked your curiosity then please read on. I hope you have the courage and honesty to read this and judge the following material for yourself and not apply the judgements and convictions of your church, your Pastor or your particular brand of Christianity. If you are an Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) then I welcome you and hope this gives you some knowledge, understanding and wisdom of how not to conduct yourself as a Christian. If you are an IFB pastor, preacher, evangelist, Sunday school teacher, missionary, deacon or any form of church leader then let this be a warning that none of us, especially you, are above the judgement of our Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed Holy Spirit.

First let me begin with who I was. I was an up and coming IFB Christian that later became an adult Sunday school teacher, song leader, and deacon. I was often called to fill in for the pastor of the churches I attended whenever the pastor was out of town. I had a great zeal for the Lord and His work. I was there whenever the church doors were open. Thursday evening visitation, Saturday morning visitation and Saturday night prayer meetings you name it I was there. I sang solos in front my church, often known as "specials" or "special music". I taught myself guitar and played and sang hymns and soul-stirring southern gospel songs in front of my congregation. Yes, I was careful of my selections of southern gospel for I feared that many songs were not appropriate for the worship service.

By far the ministry that was most dear to me was teaching. Several members of the church, including my pastors and visiting ministers often told me that I had the "gift of teaching." I enjoyed breaking down the word of God and extracting the principals for living. When I prepared for my Sunday School lessons I looked for the leading of the Holy Spirit. I never followed a published teaching program like Baptist Press. I earnestly sought the leading of God and spent many hours on Saturday, and early Sunday morning preparing and praying. I loved it, I didn’t do it for the spot-light or vain glory. I did it because I loved to share what I found in the precious Word of God. The Word of God (KJV only) was exciting, alive and real. I wanted to share its goodness with my church. When I was medically discharged from the Army I came very close to surrendering full-time to becoming an Evangelist and went as far as "surveying" my future Christian college, Ambassador Baptist College in Shelby, North Carolina, founded by Evangelist Ron Comfort.

I married into a family of preachers. My wife was a missionary’s daughter whom I met while being stationed overseas. Her oldest brother was a pastor of an IFB church, her other brother was an IFB Evangelist, and her older sister was smack in the will of God by being an IFB missionary’s wife. Under her father (my then future father-in-law), I was taught in the doctrines of the IFB. At this time let me point out that I met Jesus and was saved before I became an IFB. My affiliation and subsequent transformation into an IFB occurred at this time. Having been saved in a Pentecostal church that taught little Bible I finally found a church that fed me. My future wife was being trained to be a preacher’s wife. When I later surrendered to preach, I qualified.

That’s who I was. Who am I now? Rest assured, I’m still a Christian. I’m saved, and to answer the question that I often used on visitation. "If I were to die tonight, where would I go?" The answer is Heaven. I’m still a Blood-Bought believer. Of more important to readers is the question: "What am I doing now?" The answer is not pretty to an IFB. Indeed, I would venture to say that I will lose some of you in disgust. You will claim that I am back-slidden and in need of God’s judgement. That I departed the church because I was never a part of the "church." So, if you have the courage then read on.

I don’t go to church, I don’t take my family to church. My wife refuses to set foot in any church. I don’t believe in tithing any more (don’t be scared, keep reading). I believe to fully understand the scriptures one must study several different translations (gasp! --I've lost about 90% of you IFB's). I encourage birth control (you would too, if you knew the Christians I do). I go to the movies. I enjoy secular music. I send my kids to public school (sorry Jack Chick, I must meet all those liberal God-Hating teachers you know firsthand). I’ve sampled some wine at Olive Garden (what can I say, I'm horrible). Needless to say my wife and I are considered the "Black Sheep".
Next installment…."I can't pay my phone bill . . . I gave the money to God!"