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I will try to answer as best I can. I assume your reference is to the article a List of Baptist sub-denominations. Perhaps this is not the best choice for the title/subject, because the terminology sub-denomination may not be in common use. A sub-denomination is a subdivision of a group that is considered a denomination or primary religious body. A strict definition of denomination (such as 'a group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy' or 'a religious group having its own organization and a distinctive faith') does not technically fit Baptists, since each local Baptist congregation is an independent entity. Nevertheless, Baptists, with their broad theological and historical connections, are usually considered a denomination. In some attempts to categorize various Baptist groups under this broad band of commonality, the major subdivisions (or kinds) of Baptists have been called sub-denominations. For an example, see Howard Dorgan's book, Giving Glory to God in Appalachia: Worship Practices of Six Baptist Subdenominations. In this book, Prof. Dorgan discusses Missionary Baptist, Primitive Baptist, Old Regular Baptist, Regular Baptist, Free Will Baptist, and Union Baptist (which, IMO, is not a distinct category). Categorizing Baptists in 17th century England was quite simple - two broad divisions, General & Particular. Now it can be quite an exercise in guesswork and opinion. Another terminology that is used, and might be preferable for the article, is sub-groups. Perhaps you will weigh in with a suggestion on this.
In the article as it now stands, the first division (1.1 By location) really lists Baptists by associational fellowships (or unions, conventions, et.al) rather than by sub-denominations, and the second division (1.2 By Historical and Doctrinal Relationships) is more in line with the idea of sub-denominations (though it is quite incomplete and needs work). I fully realize that others might not take this same approach.
I intend to take some time later and put some kind of introduction at the top of the article. Perhaps this interaction will give us some ideas. Thanks. Rlvaughn 03:55, 19 Nov 2003 (UTC)
I noticed that someone changed "List of Baptist sub-denominations" in the heading to "List of Baptist Association and Conventions". I am reverting it for now and soliciting discussion. I have no major objection to "List of Baptist Association and Conventions". But the title of the encyclopedia article and heading should match. It should be left as is, or title and heading both changed to match, IMO. - Rlvaughn 22:39, 23 Jan 2005 (UTC)
In the next few days, I hope to take some time and rename those associations, conventions, and fellowships which are given in their native language. I originally thought this was proper (and had seen it done on the List of Christian denominations, but Wikipedia:Naming conventions indicates this is not correct:
Most Independent Fundamental Baptist churches are members of a state association, while their pastor is a member of Fundamental Baptist Fellowship association. Should the state associations be listed under that?
I was wondering if anyone knows of a "Hungarian Baptist" denomination in the United States of America. I know there used to be a Baptist church in my town whose services were in Hungarian, but it became defunct in the 1960's. I don't know what denomination it belonged to, and I was wondering if there was a Hungarian Baptist denomination in the USA at one time. GnatFriend ( talk) 09:24, 27 March 2021 (UTC)