Fellowship Without Hierarchy
The MARBC is an association of churches, not an authority over churches.
Each member congregation remains autonomous. The association does not appoint pastors, govern congregations, own local church property, or exercise ecclesiastical authority over its member churches.
Instead, churches voluntarily fellowship and cooperate because of shared doctrine, shared ministry priorities, and relationships of mutual trust.
That distinction is important to who we are. Our strength is not found in organizational control, but in churches willingly working together.
MARBC and Regular Baptist Ministries
Many MARBC churches are also affiliated nationally with Regular Baptist Ministries, historically known as the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
The MARBC and Regular Baptist Ministries share significant doctrinal convictions, ministry history, and many of the same churches. We gladly cooperate where our ministries and purposes overlap.
At the same time, the two associations are organizationally autonomous.
Regular Baptist Ministries has no governing authority over the MARBC or its member churches, and the MARBC has no formal authority over or governing role within the national association. Churches choose their relationships with each fellowship independently.
Our unity is therefore not organizational hierarchy. It grows from shared convictions, shared mission, longstanding relationships, and the participation of local churches in both fellowships.
What We Do Together
Cooperation allows churches to accomplish and encourage things that may be difficult to pursue alone. Depending on present opportunities and needs, MARBC churches work together in areas including:
- fellowship and encouragement among churches and pastors;
- strengthening and revitalizing local churches;
- church planting;
- missions and missionary endeavor;
- leadership development;
- conferences, retreats, and ministry training;
- assistance for pastors and churches facing unusual needs;
- youth and regional ministries; and
- other cooperative efforts that strengthen local churches and advance the gospel.
Structures and ministries may change as circumstances change. Our underlying purpose does not: churches helping churches faithfully carry out the work Christ has entrusted to them.
