print

Baptist General Conventions – What are they?

Baptist General Conventions – What are they?
Restoration The Church Denominations

TL;DR:

Baptist General Conventions unite independent churches to pool resources for missions, education, and care projects. They uphold shared statements of faith rooted in orthodox Christianity.

what does the bible say?

Baptist General Conventions (BGC) are regional associations of independent churches that collaborate to accomplish what individual churches cannot do alone, such as supporting missions, education, healthcare, and care for the vulnerable. Their mission aligns with biblical principles about helping one another (Leviticus 19:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Beyond that general principle of helping, the BGC also upholds shared statements of faith supported by the Bible. For example, they affirm beliefs in the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), Jesus’ divinity and sacrificial work (John 1:1; Titus 2:13; Mark 10:25; 1 Peter 2:24), the necessity of being born again (John 3:3), the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19), salvation through faith in Christ (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9), final judgment (Matthew 25:46; Romans 10:11-12), and Christ’s return to establish His kingdom (Matthew 25:31-34; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 11:15). Each member church of the Baptist General Conventions is autonomous but aligns with the convention’s biblical standards, enabling collective projects that advance the Gospel and serve communities.

from the old testament

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 beautifully expresses how important it is to help one another: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Though the example is of individuals, the principle can also apply to the Baptist General Convention because the regional bodies of Christ join together to support each other.

from the new testament

  • Baptist General Conventions establish statements of faith, which explain doctrine, which align with orthodox Christianity. They include
  • Belief in a triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
  • The full divinity and humanity of Jesus, including the virgin birth (Matthew 1:18; Philippians 2:6–11).
  • Jesus' perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21).
  • Being born again is required for the forgiveness of sin and eternal life (John 3:3).
  • The indwelling Holy Spirit is given to believers at salvation to provide the desire and power to live a life pleasing to God (Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19).
  • God will judge every person (Romans 10:11-12), consigning those without Jesus to punishment in hell (Matthew 25:46), and those with faith in Jesus to live with Him forever (Revelation 3:21).
  • Only through faith in Jesus can a person be saved by God (Ephesians 2:8–9).
  • At His return, Jesus will set up His kingdom on a new Earth (Revelation 22:12).

implications for today

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). Speaking for God, the prophet Amos asked this rhetorical question of Israel. Though the context was about how compelled Amos was to share God’s word with His people, that same question could be asked about the Baptist General Conventions—and the answer is just as obvious: No, churches can’t join together in effective purpose unless they agree on what their purpose is.

Baptist General Conventions call together like-minded churches in a state or region to pool resources to reach a goal that individual churches cannot, such as supporting global missions or running an orphanage, hospital, or retirement village.

Many Baptist General Conventions, such as in Oklahoma and Texas, operate in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention, a national association.

Conventions are most active in the South and West in the United States. Every individual church remains independent and is expected to adhere to biblical standards, including the convention's statement of faith. However, when believers attend a church, they should still take care to observe the teaching and lives of church leadership as well as exploring its statement of faith.

The collective projects in a Convention focus on spreading the Gospel (missions), caring for the poor (orphanages and retirement homes), education (universities), and health-care (hospitals). Resources are also allocated for regional and national gatherings.

understand

  • Baptist General Conventions unite independent churches for missions, education, and care projects.
  • Baptist General Conventions uphold shared statements of faith.
  • Member churches of the Baptist General Conventions remain autonomous while cooperating to advance the Gospel and serve communities.

reflect

  • How does the principle of helping the larger body of Christ play out in your life?
  • How does understanding the shared statement of faith of a convention strengthen your own faith?
  • If you are a part of a convention, how do you understand the benefit of it?

engage

  • How do conventions balance the independence of each church while promoting unified efforts?
  • How do shared statements of faith guide the decisions and priorities of member churches in a convention?
  • How might pooling resources through a convention make a greater impact on local and global communities than individual church efforts alone?

More Resources

Denominations Which churches are considered "mainline denominations" and why?

Which churches are considered "mainline denominations" and why?

Mainline denominations are historic Protestant churches that share core beliefs with evangelicals but differ on doctrine, worship, and cultural engagement.
Denominations What is the reason for all the Christian denominations?

What is the reason for all the Christian denominations?

Christian denominations exist for a mix of reasons, such as cultural differences or theological emphasis, but all believers are called to unity in Christ. True spiritual unity is rooted in faith, love, and the gospel, even amid diversity.
Church What was God

What was God's purpose in establishing the church?

God created the church to shape a unified people who grow in Christ together. Through that transformed community, He reveals His love to the world and sends them out to make Him known.
Church What does it mean that the church is the body of Christ?

What does it mean that the church is the body of Christ?

The church as the body of Christ means believers are united under Christ's leadership and are called to function together in love, purpose, and service. Each member plays a vital role, just like parts of a body, and together, we reflect Jesus to the world.