Baptists Cancel Outdoor Service Due to Rain Threat

A local Baptist church has decided to cancel its planned outdoor service this Sunday due to the forecast of rain. The pastor of the church, Rev. Joe Jones, said that he did not want to risk exposing his congregation to the wet weather, which could have dire consequences for their spiritual health.

"We believe that baptism is a personal decision that should only be made by those who have professed their faith in Jesus Christ," Jones said. "We do not practice infant baptism, unlike our Presbyterian neighbors, who sprinkle water on their babies as a sign of the covenant."

Jones explained that he feared that if his church members got wet from the rain, they might inadvertently become Presbyterians, which would be a tragedy for their souls.

"Presbyterians believe in predestination, which means that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned," Jones said. "They also have a hierarchy of elders who make decisions for the church, instead of letting each congregation govern itself. We Baptists value our free will and our autonomy."

Jones said that he hoped the weather would clear up soon, so that his church could resume its outdoor services, which he said were more conducive to worship and evangelism.

"We love being outdoors, where we can enjoy God's creation and invite others to join us," Jones said. "We also like to sing loud and clap our hands, which might disturb our Presbyterian neighbors, who prefer a more formal and structured liturgy."

Jones added that he prayed for the Presbyterians every day, hoping that they would see the error of their ways and embrace the true gospel of grace.

"We don't hate them, we just pity them," Jones said. "We hope that one day they will come to know the joy of being a Baptist."