Associations Are The Hiding Places For The Weak And Ignorant

Pastors and churches would do well to consider the biblical authority and practical utility against congregational associations and ministerial fraternals. The general ethos of the Particular Baptists over the last four hundred years has been one of ministerial independence and congregational autonomy. Although associations, fraternals and unions begin well and with the best intentions, they invariably suppress the individuality and impede the autonomy of preachers and churches alike. The General Assembly of the 1690s; the coffee-house fraternals of the 1700s; the Baptist Union of the 1800s; the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches of the 1900s will provide ample proof of the oppressive and degrading nature of associations. The same may be said of various unions formed unofficially, such as the Gospel Standard denomination. Although it is against associations, yet it has become the equivalent of an association, with its churches and preachers required to follow the articles and rules of its committee. It is certain men such as Gadsby, M’Kenzie, Philpot, Warburton, Kershaw, Covell and many others belonging to all branches of the Particular Baptist denomination would be opposed to these things. Pastors and churches would do well to retain their individuality and autonomy, while nurturing healthy relationships with other pastors and churches on an informal basis. Associations often become sanctuaries for ignorant churches and hiding places for fearful preachers. They breed weakness and timidity, not strength and courage.—Jared Smith

Gospel Standard 1884, Page 391

“We are by no means friendly to associations of ministers; as, however fair may be their show, however positive and scriptural their declarations, however good their intentions, at the onset, they invariably, sooner or later, lead to the lifting up with pride, to the lust of ambition, or to the gagging of then members. Little by little creeps in, till the whole becomes corrupt. God’s Word requires not a combination of men to cause it to run, and have free course, and be glorified; and we mostly find that when ministers are shackled with the trammels of an Association, though they may contend earnestly for the glorious doctrines of God’s discriminating grace, very little power and unction attends their word; they serve up a dry dish. W. Gadsby, in ” G. S.,” 1836.

[Such, was the opinion of the first editor of the “Gospel Standard,” such was the opinion of Mr. M’Kenzie, the second editor, and such was the opinion of Mr. Philpot, the third editor. It was also the opinion of all our old friends Warburton, Kershaw, Covell, and others, who are now in glory. We trust God will not permit his own children to be beguiled by Satan’s willing instruments, whosoever they may be, and however fair their pretensions, who would form such societies as these. These societies, though started under the pretext of spirituality, and the good of churches, are entirely of the flesh; and it is following in the wake of the Generals, of which the sober-minded people of God are ashamed. We hope next month to give Mr. Huntington’s views upon the same subject.]