Changes

==Organization==

==Organization==

Below the national convention are various state conventions.  Most states in the Southern United States have a single state convention; however, due to the moderates-conservatives controversy discussed above, two states (Texas and Virginia) have two separate ones; a more conservative one aligned solely with the SBC and a more liberal one aligned both with the SBC and the liberal splinter group Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.  Less populated states in northern and western parts of the United States, where the SBC is not as strong, have combined into multi-state conventions.

In accordance with the traditional Baptist principle of church autonomy, the lowest level (or highest, depending on your perspective) of the SBC is the local church.  With the exception of a "mission church"<ref>A mission church is one sponsored by another congregation, either to start a congregation in an area without a church (such as a new subdivision) or to minister to an ethnic group in their own language.</ref>, every congregation is autonomous of every other.  Furthermore, no higher organization has any authority to fire ministers, discipline members, or force the congregation to cease operations; their only power is that they can choose not to seat the congregation's delegates (called "messengers") at the annual meeting, for such matters as failing to support the Cooperative Program or for holding views not in accordance with the association's statement of faith (e.g. having a female pastor).

Below the state conventions are local associations, which are usually organized by county, though less populated counties are combined into one association.

The next level is the local association.  These are usually organized by county in the larger metro areas; less populated counties are usually combined into one association.  These groups handle matters involving local issues, such as operating a food pantry or supporting a crisis pregnancy center.

Individual churches are not required to affiliate with any group higher than the congregation itself; however, financial support of the SBC's work is required for it to have messengers seated at the various levels.

The next level is the state convention.  Most states in the Southern United States have a single state convention; however, due to the moderates-conservatives controversy discussed above, two states (Texas and Virginia) have two separate ones; a more conservative one aligned solely with the SBC and a more liberal one aligned both with the SBC and the liberal splinter group Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.  Less populated states in northern and western parts of the United States, where the SBC is not as strong, are organized into multi-state conventions.  These groups handle state-wide matters such as speaking on political issues involving the state (e.g. a bill to limit abortions) or disaster relief.

 

The highest level is the national convention.  The name "Southern Baptist Convention" refers to both the denomination as a whole and its annual meeting, usually held in the summer and generally at a major city.  The convention handles both national and international matters, mainly in the area of missions.

==See also==

==See also==