Checklist for Young People Considering a Southern Baptist Church

Decisions, Decisions

Before transitioning from an Independent Baptist church to a Southern Baptist church, carefully consider the following biblical and doctrinal principles.

1. Doctrinal Consistency

☐ Does the SBC church adhere to the fundamentals of the faith without accommodation to cultural trends? (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

Ensure that the church you are considering holds to the essential doctrines of biblical Christianity.

☐ Biblical Authority – Does the church believe in the absolute authority and inerrancy of Scripture? (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21)

☐ The Deity of Christ – Does the church affirm that Jesus Christ is fully God? (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9)

☐ The Virgin Birth – Does the church teach that Christ was born of a virgin? (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)

☐ The Blood Atonement – Does the church emphasize salvation through the shed blood of Christ? (Romans 5:9, Hebrews 9:22)

☐ The Bodily Resurrection – Does the church affirm the literal, bodily resurrection of Christ? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Luke 24:39)

☐ Salvation by Grace Through Faith – Does the church reject works-based salvation? (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5)

☐ The Second Coming of Christ – Does the church teach the literal return of Jesus Christ? (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

☐ Does the church teach the Pre-millennial, Pretribulational rapture of the church and the post tribulation revelation of Christ?

☐ Does the church embrace Reformed or Calvinistic theology, which is increasingly prevalent in the SBC, and do you understand the direction that these distinctions will necessitate?

☐ Does the church faithfully use the King James Version (KJV), or does it favor modern translations based on a different textual tradition, such as the Alexandrian manuscripts and the critical text?

☐ Does the church teach that the church has replaced Israel (or fulfils all Old Testament covenant obligations) and that Israel has no specific prophetic future?

2. The Role of Women in Ministry

☐ Does the church allow or encourage women to serve as pastors or elders, contrary to I Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12?

☐ Is the church influenced by the broader SBC trend of shifting gender roles in leadership?

3. Biblical Separation

☐ Does the SBC church you are considering actively practice biblical separation from doctrinal error, worldliness, compromise, and apostasy? (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; II Thessalonians 3:6)

☐ Does the church affiliate with broader denominational structures that tolerate doctrinal drift or liberal influence?

☐ Does the church cooperate with ecumenical movements, interfaith partnerships, or broader evangelical trends that blur doctrinal distinctions? (2 John 10-11, 1 Corinthians 5:6)

☐ Does the church compromise biblical morality to accommodate culture? (Romans 12:2, James 4:4)

4. Worship and Church Growth Philosophy

☐ Does the church adopt seeker-sensitive, entertainment-driven (Contemporary/wordly) worship styles rather than reverent, Christ-honoring worship?

☐ Are music styles in worship merely cultural vehicles for conveying truth, or do the styles themselves play a crucial role in shaping that truth? (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19)

☐ Does the church focus more on performance than reverent worship? (John 4:24, 1 Corinthians 14:40)

☐ Is there a focus on numbers and marketing strategies over biblical discipleship and holiness?

☐ Are contemporary worship practices (e.g., dim lighting, concert-style music, casual atmospheres) replacing biblical preaching and reverence in worship?

☐ Does the church prioritize making unbelievers comfortable in church over preaching truth? (Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:3-4)

5. Biblical Preaching vs. Pragmatism

☐ Does the church prioritize expository preaching, or is the preaching often topical, shallow, or emotionally driven? (Nehemiah 8:8)

☐ Does the pastor demonstrate strong biblical convictions, or does he compromise to appeal to a broader audience?

☐ Does the church use modern trends (self-help messages, psychological integration, social justice themes) rather than focusing on biblical truth?

6. Missions and Evangelism

☐ Does the church prioritize biblical missions, or does it direct funds through denominational agencies like the SBC’s Cooperative Program, which supports institutions that may not align with biblical separation?

☐ Is there an emphasis on personal soul-winning and local evangelism, or does the church rely heavily on short-term mission trips and social programs? (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15)

☐ Does the church teach that only believers should be baptized and that baptism is by immersion? (Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:38-39)

7. Church Autonomy vs. Convention Influence

☐ Does the church operate independently under the leadership of Christ, or is it heavily influenced by the broader SBC’s programs, trends, and leadership (Acts 13:1-3; Colossians 1:18)?

☐ Are there financial ties to SBC institutions that may not align with biblical principles?

Final Considerations

8. Accountability and Decision-Making

Before making a decision, seek counsel and evaluate the long-term effects of changing churches.

☐ Have You Prayed About This Decision? (Philippians 4:6-7)

☐ Have You Sought Godly Counsel from Your Pastor and Parents? (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22)

☐ Are you being drawn to the SBC for biblical reasons, or is the appeal based on relationships, emotions, music, social activities, a painful experience, or a desire for a different atmosphere? (Jeremiah 17:9, 1 John 4:1)

☐ Are You Prepared for the Doctrinal, philisophical, and Cultural Differences? (1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 2:15)

☐ Will This Move Strengthen or Weaken Your Faith? (Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 15:33)

☐ Do you understand that a decision to leave an Independent Baptist church for an SBC church often leads to further compromise down the road?

The choice to leave an Independent Baptist church for a Southern Baptist church is not merely about preference—it is about doctrine, conviction, and faithfulness to biblical principles. Some Southern Baptist preachers (and thus churches) are really Independent Baptist in practice and philosophy but still have the SBC affiliation/moniker. If this is the case, it would be good for such churches to renounce the SBC identity.

We urge young people to carefully evaluate this decision through prayer, wise counsel, and a commitment to the Word of God. Stand firm in the truth and do not be swayed by emotion or cultural trends. Emotions and cultural trends are fleeting, but biblical truth is eternal. Make decisions based on God’s Word rather than personal preferences or external influences.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)