It's Not About the IFB...

I just wanted to throw something out there. I just spent the morning at a wonderful IFB church in the city above me. My kids actually play baseball in their church league. My father-in-law is the co-pastor there. They have standards of dress, music and they are strong KJVO, but one thing that stands above all of those things is the fact that they love the Lord! I love them. We have differences, but the love of Christ transcends those differences and where there is agreement we speak freely and where there is possible contention we simply don't find those peripheral issues worth the contention they may cause and we simply don't go there. I totally respect them and the standards that they have and when I am there I abide by every single one of them. If I have shorts on I don't go in their buildings and if I attend a service at their church I wear a suit. They know I'm 'different', but they respect me and love me as a Christian as I respect them and love them as lovers of Christ and worshippers of God. We golf, we play, we hang out, we bowl, and we have sweet fellowship in the name of our great Jesus! I had a wonderful conversation with a person on their staff this morning about some of these issues (and bear in mind that they are strong IFB. They attend pastors school in Hammond every year). You know what he said to me? It's stunning...

He said, "You're my friend above all else and that is not going to change." How awesome and how Christian is that??!!?? Sure we differ in some contentious areas, but we both love Jesus and at the end of the day that's all that really matters!

What's my point? It's this...

This blog is not about the IFB. It's not about bashing anyone or railing on a certain denomination because we are mad (in spite of the baseless allegations that have been made). This isn't a blanket broad brush of everyone and every church that is a part of the IFB movement. There are many wonderful Christian people who love Jesus above all else and are KJVO with dress and music standards etc. We, here at 'free from the box' have zero problem with them and have no beef with them in any way shape or form. As a matter of a fact, there are many wonderful people that we have and will continue to learn from who proudly display that banner, but are lovers and worshippers of Jesus and not worshippers of men or a movement.

What we are trying to help people see is that there is freedom from religious zealots who want to make you think that you are wrong because you think, because you differ on peripheral issues, or because you dare ask questions. We want to let people know that they are not alone when a tyrannical pastor makes them think they will never find another job in the ministry because they are no longer KJVO. We want to shine the light on the glory of Christ and let people know that the Christian world is huge and beautiful and socially and culturally diverse. We want to let lovers of Jesus know that it's o.k. not to agree 100% on every single thing. We want to give Christians a voice and an opportunity to ask questions and get answers in a safe and loving Christian environment.

We have seen the ugliness of people who love issues more than they love people and who boldly claim their conditional friendship based on 100% loyalty to a movement, and this is what must be questioned and must be called out and that is why this blog exists.

We're not mad at anyone, but we do have an agenda...to glorify God. I love my Christian brothers and sisters in Christ from every denomination, culture and country. We all serve a great and gracious Savior and when you've been changed by the power of His imputed righteousness how can we base friendship on whether or not one wears a suit and tie or listens to a certain type of music? It all pales in comparison to being radically changed by the cross of Jesus Christ! We've been made new! We are all fallen and unworthy but for the grace of God! May that be the tie that binds as we encourage those who are caught in the trap of men who would rather be loyal to men and movements than to love the children of God unconditionally.

Trevor