Kids In Leaves
Originally uploaded by paynehollow.
We’re nominally Baptists but rejected by the Southern Baptists. We’ve been called the Church of the Last Resort by those ready to leave the established church altogether. We’re a rowdy and fun-loving collection of (often recovering) Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians, Anabaptists and probably not a few Others.
We’re a Peace Church. We’re an Open and Affirming Church. We’ve the greatest preacher – Pastor Cindy – in Louisville, in Kentucky (so far as I know), and quite likely, in all of these United States of America.
We’re urban and gritty in our location and commitments but rural and free in spirit. We were formed by a reformed riverboat gambler and murderer in the 1800s as a mission with and to the outcasts of society and have remained much the same through our history.
I don't think we are "nominally Baptist." The Baptist tradition is a broad river made up of many tributary streams. To be rejected by the SBC, which has withdrawn from the Baptist World Alliance, says more about the SBC than about us at Jeff Street.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we're an odd church, but Baptists are full of odd congregations. That's one of the consequences of congregational polity and no centralized heirarchy.
We have influences from many different Baptist traditions because of our diverse membership. We also have influences from other Christian traditions (Quaker, Catholic, Mennonite, Hutterite, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc.) because we have been a "last chance" church for those who have been refugees from abusive church settings in many traditions.
But we were born in oddness--founded in the 19th C. by a former riverboat gambler who, after conversion, found himself called to minister with and to some of the poorest of the city. All the many different chapters of our history have been full of oddness, too.
But the Baptist connections, formerly Southern Baptist, now Alliance of Baptist with influences from National Baptists too through our African-American members, have always been there.
Like many of our members, I was not born into a Baptist family. Unlike most of our members, no matter their background, I have spent time in several different Baptist denominations: German Baptist first, then Southern Baptist, National Baptist, Progressive National Baptist, American Baptist, and British Baptist. So, I think I can say with some confidence that we are no farther away from mainstream Baptist life (when looked at globally) than many other congregations, some far larger and more famous than ours.
Thanks for giving us this advertising on your blog, though, Dan.
To regular Paynehollow readers: Drop by anytime your in Louisville. You will be welcome. It's a welcoming place.
Cornerstone Baptist Church is a very welcoming Curch as well! Come by and visit if you ever make it to the Ozarks!
ReplyDeleteDan--I saw Little Big Town last night here in my little big town. Tonight they're playing your Big Town.
I thought about you when I heard they were doing so.
Not familiar with them. Bluegrass?
ReplyDeleteAnd point taken on not necessarily being "nominally Baptist" Michael.
ReplyDeleteHi dan! I've just recently checked your blog. You seem to have very intersting and informative posts. Guess, I'd be hanging around and see more of your latest posts. And by the way, I am Baptist too. I could surely relate to your wirte-ups.
ReplyDeleteLittle Big Town, the BEST Southern country rock group in decades. Reminiscent of Poco at their best, except probably better.
ReplyDeleteThanks, not familiar with them, though.
ReplyDeleteI love churches that are motley bunches!
ReplyDeleteGive me a respectable church and I'll give you uselessness...
ReplyDelete