Maryland Independent Baptist Fellowship

Who We Are

Maryland Independent Baptist Fellowship

The Maryland Independent Baptist Fellowship (MIBF) is a fellowship of pastors — not a denomination, not a board, not an organization with authority over any local church. We have no official membership. Like-minded Independent Baptist pastors are welcome to attend and host fellowship meetings, and every man remains accountable first to his Lord and to the local church he serves. The MIBF is not aligned with or promotes any one church, Bible college, seminary, organization, group, or individual.

We endeavor to respect independence and stimulate interdependence among Independent Baptist pastors across Maryland. What unites us is a shared commitment to the authority of Scripture, the sufficiency of the local church, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a pastors’ fellowship, we are committed to preparing pastors, planting churches, and promoting fellowship.

Preparing Pastors

The pastoral calling is weighty, and no man should walk it alone. The Maryland Independent Baptist Fellowship exists to come alongside pastors — both seasoned shepherds and those still being shaped for the work — encouraging the growth that comes from sharpened iron and seasoned counsel.

We believe the local church remains God’s chosen institution for training men for ministry. We do not seek to replace that work; we supplement it. Through fellowship meetings, preaching opportunities, and candid conversation among brethren, current and future pastors find a place to learn from those who have walked the road longer and to be reminded they are not alone in the trenches.

Planting Churches

The Great Commission has not been rescinded, and the need for sound, Bible-believing Independent Baptist churches across Maryland remains as urgent as ever. Communities without a faithful gospel witness are not statistics to us — they are mission fields at our doorstep.

While the MIBF holds no authority over any local church, we cooperate in the planting of new works. That cooperation takes many forms: connecting church planters with sending churches, providing counsel during the difficult early years, sharing resources, and praying earnestly for one another’s labors. The harvest is plentiful, and the laborers are few.

Prompting Fellowship

Independence is a treasured Baptist distinctive, but independence was never meant to mean isolation. The MIBF endeavors to respect independence and stimulate interdependence among Independent Baptist pastors.

We are not a denomination. We have no official membership, no governing board over local churches, and no allegiance to any one church, Bible college, seminary, organization, group, or individual. What we offer is simpler: a place at the table for like-minded Independent Baptist pastors to gather, fellowship, pray, preach, and sharpen one another.

We recognize that pastors among us will differ on methodology and emphasis, and we encourage respect for every pastor and his unique calling. What unites us is far weightier than what distinguishes us: the authority of Scripture, the sufficiency of the local church, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.