• Home
  
  
• Origins of IFBs
  
  
• About Me
  
  
• Whats New?
  
  
• Articles by Topic
  
  
• IFB Church Directory
  
  
• Links
  
  
• Comments
  
  
• Email Me

General Letters Section

Listed below are excerpts from some letters I have received from visitors to this site:

"HI, I MUST SAY THAT I AGREE WITH ALOT OF YOUR VIEWS. IT'S TRULY AMAZING, BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE. I ALSO WANT TO SEE SOME REFORM IN THE IFB CHURCHES. I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE." - Truth Seeker NJ

"I really like your site and am interested in reading more of your perspective on IFB. From what I have seen so far I agree with about 85% of what you say (which is actually pretty good for me LOL). Seriously I look forward to reading you articles, I think your take on the IFB is pretty accurate." - Tim

"While I would be in disagreement on a just a handful of things you have stated on your pages based on my own personal study, I appreciate greatly the stand that you are taking. It has also been a difficult one for me and that has cost me much.
I grew up in IFB churches with all the accompanying rules, etc. that one was required to follow. I graduated from an IFB Bible College. I have pastored an IFB church, but now am pastoring a church that holds soundly to the Doctrines of Grace. I have also through extensive study had to realign my thinking on standards, versions, eschatology, missions, and many other areas...
For a long time, I struggled under the weight of the pharisaical hypocrisy that I found far too often. While the Baptist church I am pastoring in England is independent of any denomination, I often hesitate to align myself with the name and/or title of the IFB'ers because of what I have seen.
I still desire to learn and to teach my people to be a Berean Christian. I try to be ever so careful that I do not unduly influence them into believing what I believe on certain issues or "minor" doctrines simply because I am the pastor.
Thank you for your stand and may you continue to search the Scriptures daily to see whether those things are so or not. Be gracious to others as you desire them to be of your differences. Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you." - Pastor Mark, England

"Hi there! My name is Carrie and I am a 30 year old mother of two children...I have been doing a lot of research on several issues that affect our lives. One : paying your tithes.Two:wearing make-up and Three: wearing pants...Finding your site was a true blessing to me. Not only do you go into great detail on the subject but you back it up by scripture...Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"Your site is a much needed breath of fresh (and scriptural) air. I just wish all those who call themselves IFB's would take the time to read it... I view things now in light of scripture and shudder when I consider how I used to give the opinions of men an equal footing with the Word of God. Thank you." - Rod

"...I thank you for your website because it opened my eyes and showed me that what I was already questioning was a real issue in the church." - Karen, MI

"We currently belong to an IFB in New England and have been uncomfortable with many of the "unwritten laws" for some time. We are going to begin a search for a new church home after Christmas (we have commitments to our current church.) Your website has been very helpful. While I am not in 100% agreement with what you say, you have verbalized (and argued convincingly) many of the problems my husband and I have with our current church. I don't think it is an accident that I found you at this particular time. You have been a great help to us, thank you." - Beth

"..I found your website to be fascinating... I would like to sincerely thank you for your reformationist effort... What you are doing takes Godly courage... thank you for your efforts, you have blessed at least one person through them. I pray that your efforts will be blessed and bountiful, as I know they are of the Lord." -Kari

"I have only read your 'Origins of IFB's' article and I thought it was absolutely fabulous! It is accurate, true and so well articulates what we have seen and learned for ourselves... I've added your link to our favorites section and look forward to reading everything you have posted." -Julie

"You have a very interesting site! I found it while looking for Historic Premil info... Looking forward to looking at the rest of your site. Good work!" - Ken

When I first opened your web site I thought "oh no...not another bigot"... how wrong I was! I am so fed up with the me-only controlling mentality in most IFB churches that I often tout "I'm going to become a Methodist!" (I won't but sometimes I am tempted.)
I live in Northwest Indiana and I think anyone who does not see your concerns as valid should come and reside here for one year...where Independent Fundamental Baptist churches are removing the word "Baptist" from their church signs...or calling themselves Independent Unaffiliated Baptists...or Normal Baptists. Unless you live here you can't understand the intensity of what ultra IFB has created.
And thank you for addressing "KJV Onlyism." People did get saved before 1611...and people did have an English Bible. And, confront the "onlyism" people with the fact that none of the Spanish speaking world or non-english speaking European countries have a KJV translation, and they short-circuit.
-Michael, Indiana

I found your webiste on the internet and loved your article regarding women wearing pants and your response to Mr. Flournoy's article.
I grew up in an IFB Church in Canton, IL that taught it was a sin for women to wear pants. I went to Hyles Anderson College and was taught the same thing. After finishing 2 years at Hyles Anderson, I moved back to my home town and into my own place. I had a job at a doctor's office that required me to wear surgery scrubs every day. I never felt convicted that wearing pants was wrong as long as they were modest and made for a women. My parents and church found this out and disowned me for awhile. It was such a hard thing to face in the small town that I lived in that I finally went back to wearing dresses...
I met my husband shortly after this and we were married a year later. Although he was raised in a strong Christian family, he did not grow up in a church that believed pants were wrong for women. We had many hours of discussion, prayer time and Bible reading to find our true conviction and we came to the same conclusion that you have.
-Anonymous

I stumbled on your website when looking for info on why I believed I am IFB, but not "wacko." We do have updated music with projection with a blend of hymns and choruses, and I have been "accused" of using another version from "loyal, hardcore" KJV only members in a brochure we sent out to the community (I removed all the "-eth" from the words -horrors!), and they were upset that we had Lord's Supper on a Sunday am service. (They have since left, but the spirit is better and offerings haven't decreased!)...
It was refreshing to see your website! Thank you and keep up the good work!!
- Pastor in Arizona

Larry, a VERY well done site -- I'm bookmarking this page, Origins of IFBs. I appreciate your style of writing. It's factual, easy to read and doesn't display negative or condescending thoughts toward any one group.
-Kathy in AZ

God Bless you. Hopefully people will begin to discuss these issues. As far as "alter calls" go, I do not like them, but do not believe they hurt iether, unless they are used week in and week out and become "liturgical".
- Paul