james ross

I think there are many reasons not to do this and I don't think there are examples of the opposite in scripture. Phillip was a deacon. Also, much of church history would support it being an ordinance of the local church. I really am fine agreeing to disagree. Perhaps, I should have said "please" in my post. Not patronizing you even though it kind of sounds like I am without body language and tone.

@mhenslee @jamesaross I get that. Makes sense. I struggle to hold to any belief that’s not explicitly modeled or commanded, especially when there are examples of the opposite

Don’t baptize at kids camp or youth camp, especially if their parents aren’t there. Love y’all.

@Pastakeith I can’t speak to each situation, specifically yours, but many associations did not lean into what made them strong and valuable. I think it’s a new day and time to reimagine what local networks can do!

@jamesaross We saw it happen in BCMD. The state convention developed a plan to address it, but I don’t know of other states that have.

I think a lot of our current problems in the Southern Baptist Convention are a result of so many weak local associations. Many became completely irrelevant in the 00's/teens. I think this is a major contribution to: 1. Unhealthy churches. Leadership principles/equipping models aren't being contextualized like they should. 2. Why so many younger pastors haven't learned friendly debate. Twitter provides what associations do not. 3. Why CP giving is down. Cooperative work isn't felt at the local level. 4. Strained state conventions. Trying to do what can't be done from across the state. 5. Why people feel like NAMB has too much power; they have had to do things associations weren't doing to accomplish the great commission.

I am certainly not qualified to speak directly to some of the matters that have been debated regarding that. I do however think a major part of the reason we are in the position we are is because of associations that became weak and therefore dependent on state and national entities.

@jamesaross NAMB is actively and intentionally taking over state convention through SEND

Well, that is a new one. If it can happen to a guy named James, it can happen to anyone.

@JessPreusser @shayshayg78 Yes, I agree. I still see it as unwise. But that is definitely a clearer picture. Again, I really appreciate your spirit in discussing our "disagreement"

@jamesaross @shayshayg78 Context also matters in that we usually had 300+ campers at student camp, and it was just our church, because we ran our own. Brought in the speaker, the band was our people, all the counselors for the week were their regular su day leaders for the most part.

I say this because I think the local association is not a thing of the past but a key to our future cooperative work!

@mosiposi2000 @JessPreusser That comment misses so much about the heart of the christian family and community.

@jamesaross @JessPreusser Its not about you. This is one area the Lord is the father alone in

Hey Jess, I really appreciate your thoughtful dialogue. Again, I think it is unwise to do this. On a grander picture, I think the precedent since the Didache (early christianity) is baptism happening with the church family. I think individual baptism "experiences" are a modern western phenomenon. I think parents (if believers) and pastors helping the child be confident in their decision is so good for their faith. I really wish churches wouldnt' do this at camp. But, I certainly am not THE authority and I don't think you guys are heretics for doing this. That charity is not captured in my one sentence tweet.

@shayshayg78 @jamesaross The kid was always the one asking - and these were teens, not small children. We just had to talk to the parent to make sure they actually gave permission, and the kid didn’t say they had, whent they had not

@davesnyder82 Read Be The Unicorn yet?

I am looking at books to read in July. Any suggestions?

@stephenaltrogge Bro, the Ethiopian eunuch was a grown man.

@jamesaross Or by the side of the road!!!

@BrianJohns52001 Ok

@jamesaross Also funny you bring up only a few hold this view. Usually sheep just follow blindly to what their leaders say and don’t actually search. The people that have dug deep will most certainly find out the name of the father, son and HolyGhost is Jesus.

@BrianJohns52001 Not a good place to go back and forth on this but I encourage you to do more digging into this. Your thought is held by very few for a reason.

@jamesaross False. He said to baptize in the name (singular) of the father son and HolyGhost. Which is Jesus. Jesus said “I come in my fathers name” Jesus’s said “the father will send the HolyGhost in my name” Jesus said I am the father in John14:8-9 Read the book of Acts.

@psalmsandcoffee I think it is a gift for a child to have a parent who knows them and loves them and can help them discern if they are indeed hearing from the Lord.

@jamesaross If the Lord tells my child to get baptized, as much as I'd wish I'd been there to see it, she better listen to the Lord

@BrianJohns52001 Jesus disagrees. Matthew 28:19.

@jamesaross Don’t baptize unless it’s in the name of Jesus, not titles father son and HolyGhost. Or else all your doing is going down dry and coming up wet.

@Unworthy_of_Him baptism 🫤

@Unworthy_of_Him I don't think it sounds wrong. I think it sounds loving and consistent with how baptized has been practiced for most of Christendom.

Today would have been my mom's 66th birthday. I recently developed tendonitis near my elbow. It is not a constant pain and sometimes I forget that I even have it. But every day something happens that stings a little and I am reminded that all is not right. And then sometimes, I try to do something that I used to do without any pain, and it just really hurts. Until I am healed, I have to learn to adjust to this new wound. This is how I feel about losing my mom. Every day something reminds me that she is gone, and it stings a little. There are days like today, it hurts deeply. I am learning how to adjust to life in a different way. But, I do thank God that one day, grief will be healed.

@JerrySchultz777 Lots to unpack there!

@jamesaross I have Methodist friends who were sprinkled but wanted to be Biblically Baptized which means to immerse—so that got Baptized in the creek at camp because it was the only way

@NoOnePortant 😂 well played

@jamesaross Babies shouldn’t be going to camp.