I wasn’t an elder a year ago when Greg, Keith, Aaron, and Bruce where thinking through Greg’s question. But here’s how I would begin. (Let me paint with broad strokes.)

First, I would assess the current landscape. I would do a cursory reading of contemporary confessions for both like-minded and not so like-minded churches, particularly within Baptist circles. This gives me a good idea of what conservative evangelicals and Baptists of today find essential for church membership. I want to know how 3ABC would be in conformity and contrast with the larger evangelical world. (To be honest, in the little bit that I did this I can say it is relatively bleak. Churches seem to give comparatively more time and thought into “purpose” or “mission” statements than doctrine. At least that’s the way it is on paper.)

Second, I would gather historically Baptist confessions and begin a similar process as mentioned prior. This again helps me gauge where, upon first my first inclination, I think 3ABC would likely conform or contrast Baptists that preceeded us.

Thus far I haven’t answered your question. I’ve only said where I would begin. Let me use a different word picture to answer – the church “doors.” Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians for all centuries can affirm the Nicene Creed. So we aren’t going to leave the doors that open. I can fast forward through church history to Baptist history and probably up to a certain point. I don’t have to examine every creed or confession because I start with the fact I’m Baptist. That alone excludes tons of people. Now here’s where I have to oil the hinges and start swinging the doors every so slowly. Through conversations and study I have to determine exactly how closed they will be among baptistic Christians. This is also where I re-evaluate where Baptists may have gotten things wrong or were too closed.

Hopefully that’s a helpful start and partially answers your question. I don’t think you want us to sift through every article and say who’s “in” and who’s “out.” Related to this question, why not write one from scratch?

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