Longview Baptist Temple

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Longview Baptist Temple, often abbreviated LBT, is a controversial Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) megachurch [1][2] located in Longview, Texas. Formed in 1960, it has been at its present location since 1971, and boasts a membership of over 20,000 [3] [4] with over 4000 on average in attendance [5]. The church, currently headed by senior pastor Bob Gray, refers to itself as a "fundamental, independent, soul winning, separated, Bible-preaching (KJV) church" [6] and is notable for its family outreach programs and fundamentalist teachings. The Longview Baptist Temple expanded its ministries in 1982 by establishing Texas Baptist College, a four-year unaccredited Christian college. In January of 1998, the church began a publication called "The Baptist Magazine" which is printed bi-monthly and sent to subscribers throughout the United States.

Contents

[edit] Ministries

In addition to English and Spanish services, as well as the Texas Baptist College, the church has a ministry for deaf members. Jail and nursing home ministries, as well as a ministry for the "educably slow" [sic] has also been added. LBT claims to have "America’s largest Thursday night church-wide soul winning and follow-up program"[7]. In 2005, the church volunteered its school buses to Chicagos BusBank to help with the transportation of New Orleans residents during Hurricane Katrina [8] [9]. The church heads a ministry sending agency, Independent Baptist World Missions (IBWM). The agency sports a current roster of six families directly affiliated with LBT and at least 52 other families, individuals, and institutions monetarily supported. LBT also hosts a food pantry with support to and from the East Texas Food Bank [10].

[edit] Notable Leadership

On March 01, 2004, it was reported that former principal of Texas Baptist College and LBT schools, Russell Thomas Hirner was arrested on 16 charges including aggravated sexual assault of various children [11]. In April 2005, a Rusk County, Texas jury convicted Hirner of sexual assault with a child and sentenced him to fifteen years. [12]. It should also be noted that in the late 1980's former principal, Tony Smith, was accused of sexual assault and was allowed to 'leave' the church with no prosecution. There have also been claims of other sexual abuse charges within the church by other members which have gone unaddressed.

Pastors of the church had previously publicly denounced and condemned other denominations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, for producing leadership accused of the same crimes. In addition, current leadership has been accused of withholding information pertaining to the case. Other notable members of LBT include Kent Hovind, creationist and convicted felon known as "Dr. Dino" [13]. He is currently serving ten years in prison for 58 tax offenses, obstructing federal agents and related charges [4]. Dr. Hovind left LBT back in the mid 1980's.

[edit] Criticisms

Longview Baptist Temple has been highly criticized over the years by non-members and ex-members of the church, and has been accused of being a cult or "abusive church" based on various definitions [14]. Some accusations include that of seemingly absolute control over the congregation by the leadership, in addition to a projection of 'infallibility' in regards to the senior staff and members already in good standing. It appears that this is, in fact, taught by the pastors and leadership [15]. The church has been accused, among other things, of locking the main doors to prevent members from leaving during services, taking children back to the church to be baptised without parental consent and using various shock tactics. For example, brandishing a firearm on one occasion to flush out "communists" [16].

Arguably, LBT's most vocal critic has been former member and Texas Baptist College graduate James Spurgeon, author of Texas Baptist Crucible: Tales from the Temple, a book detailing various 'run ins' with members and leadership in the school and church. Since the publishing of his book, other members and ex-members have stepped forward and affirmed many of his claims [17], making them difficult to ignore.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Megachurches in the United States
  2. ^ Megachurch Search Results - Hartford Institute for Religion Research
  3. ^ TCC Special Events
  4. ^ TCC Special Events
  5. ^ Dr. Bob Gray
  6. ^ Texas Baptist College
  7. ^ [1] ibid
  8. ^ BusBank-Emergencies
  9. ^ BusBank’s Innovation & Clear Thinking Pays Off For Evacuees
  10. ^ Agencies - East Texas Food Bank, Dedicated to Ending Hunger In East Texas
  11. ^ Tyler Morning Telegraph - EX-LONGVIEW PRINCIPAL FACES MORE CHARGES
  12. ^ Kilgore News Herald, April 15, 2005, [2]
  13. ^ Who is Kent Hovind?
  14. ^ Identifying A Cult
  15. ^ [3]
  16. ^ James Spurgeon, Tales from the Temple
  17. ^ Triablogue: Review: The Texas Baptist Crucible