Neo-evangelical Anabaptists

[JohnH]

I suppose it is fitting for outsiders to name this group, even the term Anabaptist came from detractors.

Nothing is stopping these various groups from naming and categorizing themselves.

[Ernie]

Out of curiosity, outside of an academic exercise is there any real use to the different labels of a group’s traditional Va modern status? Are the labels used to “church-shop” for a place to worship?

Depends on whether the label refers to a belief system, or a constituency that fellowships together.

For example, Plain Anabaptist churches do not use pastors from churches that permit divorce and remarriage and from churches where the women do not cover their heads. Rosedale does not use women pastors. the group between Rosedale and Mainline does not use LGBTQ pastors, etc. All of these groups like some labels to help make the selection process easier.

[JohnH]

Out of curiosity, outside of an academic exercise is there any real use to the different labels of a group’s traditional Va modern status? Are the labels used to “church-shop” for a place to worship?

Yes. If I want to find a church to visit when I’m away from home I would prefer one that doesn’t have open homosexuals in the pulpit or running the children’s nursery. So I would “church-shop” based on which group a church belongs in.

[JohnL]

Out of curiosity, outside of an academic exercise is there any real use to the different labels of a group’s traditional Va modern status? Are the labels used to “church-shop” for a place to worship?

Depends on whether the label refers to a belief system, or a constituency that fellowships together.

For example, Plain Anabaptist churches do not use pastors from churches that permit divorce and remarriage and from churches where the women do not cover their heads. Rosedale does not use women pastors. the group between Rosedale and Mainline does not use LGBTQ pastors, etc. All of these groups like some labels to help make the selection process easier.

Ernie, thank you. I can see the purpose for it now. It's more about finding appropriate pastors and leadership for the individual group. That's important and I agree with that.
We had a guy in our church about 50 years ago who applied to be our pastor. In the days before the internet it wasn't as easy to find out more about his personal perspective. He made a comment at a church picnic in support of abortion and several came forward and reminded him of that. He said he still believed abortion is okay so he was very quietly disqualified from candidacy.

[JohnH]

We had a guy in our church about 50 years ago who applied to be our pastor. In the days before the internet it wasn't as easy to find out more about his personal perspective. He made a comment at a church picnic in support of abortion and several came forward and reminded him of that. He said he still believed abortion is okay so he was very quietly disqualified from candidacy.

Score: 5, Imaginative