Founders' local church reformation
WHAT MIGHT BE EXPECTED FROM A"REFORMATION" BY THE FLOUNDERS?
The Flounders have an interesting item on their website which offers "An Example of Local Church Reformation" by the Founder of the Flounders, the late Ernest Reisinger (1919-2004).
It relates how Ernest went about to "reform" a Southern Baptist church in North Pompano, Florida along the lines which he later incorporated into the Flounders after it was formed in 1982.
However, the article does not relate the longterm effects of the North Pompano church's "reformation."
As of today (May 7, 2008) I have been informed that the church in North Pompano, Florida which Ernest Reisinger "reformed" after becoming Pastor in 1977 and serving for eight years, is no longer existing.
According to a Southern Baptist living in the city, and who has personal knowledge of the history of the church, a Brazilian church now occupies this property, and the original church no longer exists.
When Ernest became pastor, he says there were "900 members on the church roll" and "only about 250 members bothered to show up for Sunday morning services" (A Quiet Revolution, page 75). The "reforming" of the church along the lines of the doctrine and methodology advocated by the Founder of the Flounders reduced that number to zero during the course of subequent years, and the original church no longer exits.
Is this really Exhibit A of a Flounders' "reformation" of a local church?
Actually, according to the bio of Ernest, the introduction of the Flounders' "elder" system of government eventually produced a division in the North Pompano church (Ernest Reisinger, A Biography, page 197).
In addition to the pedobaptist system of church government, Ernest also craftily leavened the church with the pedobaptist version of "Calvinism" or "the doctrines of grace" (aka Hybrid Calvinism). He also set up a book table, primarily for the sale of Banner of Truth publications.
He doubtlessly also used a book which he liked, the misleading and confusing Alleine's Alarm to the Unconverted (now called A Sure Guide to Heaven). C. H. Spurgeon said he was "hardened" by the reading of this book, and that Alleine was a "better preacher of the law than of the gospel"
(MTP, Volume 8, page 235; MTP, Volume 9, page 531).
Is the North Pompano church really the best that the Flounders have to offer as "An Example of Local Church Reformation" -- an example which they want to have re-enacted in other Southern Baptist churches?
posted by Bob L. Ross @ 4:32 PM
4 Comments:
Dear Bob:
Last September I united with a Southern Baptist church here that was going through one of these "silent reformations," all unknown to me when I became a member.
This past January the two "elders" resigned because the apparently were not able to unite everyone around their vision, which involved a lot of the "reforms" that the "Founders" and Reisinger promote. The church split into about four different groups.
I was shocked! Let down with the "elders" and many of them. I discovered that they had "hyperism" among them.
So, I have personal experience in this matter.
I am sure that there are other churches where this "quiet reform" has been devastating to churches.
Stephen
What? The MOTHER CHURCH of the Flounders movement is kaput? The MODEL CHURCH on the Flounders website dried up and is no longer? From 250 active members to a big fat ZERO. Yeah, that's REFORM all right.
Brother Bob, you were right when you wrote in a previous article that the only resolution Tom Ascol needs to put forth is one to DISBAND the Flounders.
In my opinion, he (and his organization) are a shame and disgrace to Southern Baptists everywhere.
Charles
THE "MOTHER CHURCH"
Charles said...
What? The MOTHER CHURCH of the Flounders movement is kaput? The MODEL CHURCH on the Flounders website dried up and is no longer? From 250 active members to a big fat ZERO. Yeah, that's REFORM all right.
Yes, Charles, this is the "model" which is offered by the Flounders for "reform." I know a few other churches which also soaked in Hybrid Calvinism long enough to drown in their own stew.
I have enjoyed this site over the years and found the humor here quite unique.
But let me say, that if the logic and hermeneutics you aim at the Flounders and hyperism was aimed at the entire system of Calvinism, none of you would be Calvinists, and then we could all enjoy the humorous ways you would demolish all Five Points of Calvin's deadly Tulip.
Well, I'm sure to get in trouble with this comment, but I cannot help but marvel how partial Calvinists only partially apply sound hermeneutics and logic, and then refuse to do so on all points and at all times.
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