CBF in Tennessee
Affirming the Value of CBF in Tennessee
by Terry Maples, TCBF Field Coordinator
A strong CBF presence is needed in Tennessee because The Fellowship offers a unique combination of beliefs and commitments. While many denominations hold similar beliefs, the way free and faithful Baptists embrace them as a whole defines us.
- Belief in the power of the Great Commandment and The Great Commission to empower the New Testament church
- Commitment to historic Baptist principles (Four Fragile Freedoms: Bible, Soul, Religious, & Church)
- Recognition we don’t hold the corner on truth and we haven’t arrived—we’re in the process of becoming
- Belief salvation is based on relationship with Christ, not keeping rules
- Commitment to solid biblical scholarship
- Commitment to sound theological education in seminaries
- Belief in spiritual formation as opposed to indoctrination
- Conviction and affirmation God calls women to all areas of ministry
- Belief God loves all equally
- Capacity to embrace doubt, paradox and mystery vs. certitude that leaves little room for faith
- Commitment to express our faith with head, heart and hands
- Commitment to advocate for peace, social justice & racial reconciliation with special concern for the poor and downtrodden
- Concern for and care of God’s creation (ecology)
- Belief churches find spiritual vitality through missional engagement
- Commitment to relational evangelism (telling our faith stories) as a natural by-product of good discipleship
- Commitment to ecumenism and substantive dialogue that focuses on what binds us together as Christians instead of what separates us
- Capacity to embrace unity in diversity
- Commitment to civility rather than demonizing those different from us
- Commitment to church as an authentic body of Christ that reflects the love, values and practices of Jesus
- Belief in Christian community instead of an individualized or privatized relationship with God
- Capacity to embrace liturgy in all its expressions
