The Reformed Baptist Fellowship is a new association initiative for Baptist churches in Western Canada. As a voluntary association, it is not an authority over the churches, or a church or ministry in and of itself, but a connection point between churches in order to aid each other’s ministry and mission.
Reformed Baptist
We are Reformed Baptists in that we whole-heartedly affirm the doctrinal and practical emphasis of the Protestant Reformation, which was an important revival of true religion in the history of the Church. We believe the Five Solas and the Five Doctrines of Grace to be biblical and important for healthy churches.
We are Reformed Baptists in that we whole-heartedly believe that the 17th century Particular Baptists led another necessary Reformation of ecclesiology. We therefore hold to Baptist convictions regarding believer’s baptism by immersion, regenerate church membership, the autonomy of the local church, and the covenantal theology that undergirds these ideas. We value the history and theology of these Baptist forebears and substantially subscribe to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith as a faithful and reliable guide for doctrine.
Fellowship
We believe, as our Confession states, that churches “ought to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification” (1689 26:14). There is a rich history of Baptist associations in the Western world, which you can read about here. As there is a fellowship within local churches, there is also a fellowship between local churches, as we work together for the advancement of the gospel. This voluntary association is not an authority over the churches, but a means by which churches cooperate together in their faith and mission. As we hold this fellowship, we magnify our Lord Jesus Christ, who prayed for the unity of his disciples and paid for that unity by his blood.
The Plan
As we seek to form the Reformed Baptist Fellowship, there are three steps to be taken.
1. Gather a Group of Founding Members (by October, 2026)
If you are an elder/pastor in a local church and you would like to join the founding process for the Reformed Baptist Fellowship, please send an email to rory@fairviewbaptistchurch.ca.
Current Founders
- Fairview Baptist Church (Calgary, AB)
- Grace Fellowship Church (Edmonton, AB)
- Knox Baptist Church (Calgary, AB)
- Redeemer Baptist Church (Kelowna, BC)
2. Develop Founding Documents (Fall of 2026-Fall of 2027)
The founding group will develop the vision and founding documents for the association over the course of a year.
3. Inaugural Meeting (King and Kingdom, October 2027)
The first official annual meeting of the Reformed Baptist Fellowship is being planned in conjunction with the next King and Kingdom Conference in October of 2027.
More Information
Below you can find a bit more information about the philosophy behind the Reformed Baptist Fellowship and some resources as you consider joining us.
Doctrinal Boundaries
We desire to be united most of all in the essentials of the Faith and the primary truth of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our great and overriding purposes are to worship and serve Christ, build up His churches, and advance His Kingdom in the world. However, the following five distinctives will also serve as boundaries of our fellowship for ease of cooperation.
1. Protestant and Reformed
We stand in the Protestant and broadly Reformed tradition, as Particular Baptists, holding the five solas and five doctrines of grace as biblical and necessary for healthy churches.
2. Baptist Distinctives
We are churches which adhere to historic Baptist distinctives such as credobaptism by immersion, regenerate church membership, elder leadership, defined congregational authority, and the autonomy of the local church.
3. Substantial Subscription to a Historic Baptist Confession
We hold the Second London Baptist Confession (1689) as a faithful summary of Christian doctrine. Full Members must subscribe to this confession with minor exceptions expressed in writing.
4. Baptist Covenant Theology
We consist of churches who hold to a covenantal theology akin to historic Particular Baptists, including those close to 1689 Federalism, Progressive Covenantalism, or a more classic covenantal stance.
5. Robust Complementarianism
We believe in the equality of all human beings, male and female, in the image of God, but also maintain that men and women were created to be different in biology and in function in marriage, church, and society.
Core Principles of Operation
1. Autonomy and Accountability
RBF is founded on a desire for voluntary cooperation and accountability between churches, while also respecting the autonomy of local churches. As such, the Association will never have power to impose decisions or practices on local churches.
2. Doctrinal and Charitable
RBF will encourage a robust understanding and adherence to historic Baptist doctrine because we believe it is biblical; however, we also desire to be charitable when inevitable disagreements arise.
3. A Servant, not a Master
RBF will maintain a serving role to the churches, rather than operating as a staffed, governing body over the churches. As a church Association, it is simply a way to help local churches to cooperate with one another, through assembled messengers.
Confessional Subscription
The Reformed Baptist Fellowship holds that a substantial subscription to the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) serves as the steadiest doctrinal boundary for our association. We highly esteem and continue to learn from early Particular Baptist history and confessional heritage. We also guard the supreme authority of Scripture by allowing it to be the final arbiter of truth in all matters of faith and practice, therefore allowing for minor exceptions to the Confessions.
Definition
The elders/pastors of Full Member RBF churches must hold to the teaching of each chapter of the Second London Baptist Confession (1689), with minor exceptions/disagreements declared in writing, in such a way that the Protestant, Reformed, and Baptist system of doctrine is not overturned.
The assembled messengers of the churches will retain the right to judge whether certain exceptions are acceptable.
Whenever there are disagreements between churches, we expect a spirit of understanding, humility, and charity, and expect churches not to quarrel over words or minor issues, in light of the great unity we possess as fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and by His Spirit.
Examples
RBF is following a manner of subscription found in other groups such as the Reformed Baptist Network in the United States. Their statement on confessional subscription can be found here. Robert Gonzalez Jr. (Academic Dean at Reformed Baptist Seminary) has also done some good work in defining and commending a system or substantial subscription view here and here.
Membership in RBF
Membership comes in two main categories, Full and Associate. Full Member churches’ elders must agree to our Confessional Statement and By-Laws and are granted full rights of voting, leadership, and participation. Associate Member churches are not granted full rights, but can still participate in associational meetings and activities. There is also an Individual Full or Associate Membership available, for individual pastors who are not necessarily representing their churches.
Interested in Joining?
If you are interested in joining, please reach out to Rory St. John (Pastoral Assistant at Fairview Baptist Church), who is coordinating this effort.
Email: rory@fairviewbaptistchurch.ca
Phone number: 780-933-0395