Are we a good fit?
Joining the Southern Baptist Convention · Part 3
Are we a good fit?
An honest self-check before you apply — because the goal isn’t simply to join, but to join well.
Before your church takes any practical step, it’s worth pausing to ask honestly whether cooperating with the SBC is right for your congregation. The SBC’s own orientation manual is refreshingly candid about this: it says plainly that SBC life is not for every church, and that if a church prayerfully decides not to pursue affiliation, that is not a bad thing. So treat this as discernment, not a sales pitch. Walk through these five questions with your leadership.
Question 1 — Doctrine
Do we share the beliefs?
Can your church sincerely affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 as a faithful summary of what you already believe? (See the previous section.) This is the doctrinal heart of cooperation.
Good fit: Your church reads the BF&M and recognizes its own convictions in it.Question 2 — Polity (how the church is run)
Is our church Baptist in practice?
Does your church practice believer’s baptism by immersion and the two ordinances, and is it an autonomous local congregation that governs itself under the Lordship of Christ? The BF&M describes churches operating through congregational, democratic processes, with the offices of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon.
Good fit: Your church baptizes believers by immersion and makes its own decisions as a congregation.Question 3 — Cooperation
Do we want to work with others?
Cooperation is the whole point. Is your church genuinely willing to partner with a local association, the state convention, and the national SBC for the Great Commission — and to actually show up? The manual calls this the “theology of presence”: there’s no substitute for participating.
Good fit: You’re eager to join hands with other churches, not just receive resources.Question 4 — Finances
Are we willing to give regularly?
There are no dues and no minimum amount. But cooperation is shown partly through regular giving to Convention work — most often through the Cooperative Program. As the manual bluntly puts it, there’s no voice in SBC life for those who don’t participate financially. Fully supportive churches commonly give somewhere around 7–12% of their undesignated offerings.
Good fit: You’re ready to budget a regular gift, however modest, to the shared work.Question 5 — Friendly cooperation (conduct)
Do we meet the cooperation standards?
To be recognized as a cooperating church, a congregation must be in “friendly cooperation” with the Convention. Among the current standards: closely identifying with the BF&M (including its teaching that the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture), not acting to affirm or endorse homosexual behavior, and not being indifferent to sexual abuse. These standards can be updated by the Convention, so review the current SBC Constitution (Article III) for the exact wording.
Good fit: Your church’s faith and practice already align with these standards.You’re likely a good fit if you can say yes
- We can sincerely affirm the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.
- We baptize believers by immersion and govern ourselves as an autonomous congregation.
- We genuinely want to cooperate with other churches for missions — and to show up.
- We’re willing to give regularly to the shared work.
- Our faith and practice meet the “friendly cooperation” standards.
No pressure, no rush
This is a congregational decision, so take your time. Pray, gather information, talk with your leadership, and — if you move forward — reach a consensus and vote according to your own church’s bylaws. And remember the manual’s honest word: if your church discerns that SBC life isn’t the right path, that is perfectly fine. Cooperation is voluntary, and a thoughtful “not now” is far better than a rushed “yes.”
A few honest notes for Slavic churches
Polity. Some Slavic Baptist churches are led mainly by a council of elders/presbyters, with less congregational voting than the SBC’s “democratic processes” language describes. This usually isn’t a barrier, but it’s worth an honest conversation with your association about how your church governs itself.
Your existing union. Affiliating doesn’t require leaving your Slavic Baptist union — that’s covered in the next section.
Language. Worshiping in Russian or Ukrainian is no obstacle at all; the SBC includes thousands of non-English congregations.
The goal isn’t simply to join — it’s to join with conviction, as a church that truly shares the beliefs, the mission, and the willingness to walk together.
Check it against the source
Official references
- SBC.net — “Becoming a Southern Baptist Church” FAQThe four marks of a cooperating church, giving, and autonomy.
- Navigating the SBC (orientation manual, PDF)The honest “SBC life is not for every church” counsel and the discernment steps.
- The Baptist Faith & Message 2000The doctrinal standard your church would affirm.
Joining the Southern Baptist Convention, Part 3 — within the Slavic Church Planting & Missions Hub. Friendly-cooperation standards are set by the Convention and can change; confirm the current SBC Constitution (Article III) and speak with your local association and the Florida Baptist Convention. Drawn from sbc.net and the “Navigating the SBC” manual.