GARBC along principles he believed would restore integrity to the movement.
acknowledgment must stand that he never packed the clout of Shields, Norris, or
Riley. Van Osdel, however, was much stronger at building organizations and guiding
movements than were the "big three." His influence was strong only in the militant
wing of fundamentalism, but his place is that of patriarch among Baptist separatists of
the North.
various levels.
aims, while still bearing common denominators, were nuanced to restrict the new
movements scope and clarify its focus. The methodology employed would differ in order to
more strategically accomplish new objectives. As a result, the GARBC would start with a
small nucleus of pastorally minded leaders, would gradually grow, and would generally retain
its character. This contrasts sharply with the BBU, an immediately large, loosely organized
group with unclear focus, based on charismatic personalities, that would implode from its
own weight in a short time.
Primary Leadership
control of the movement. The BBU had been intended by Neighbour, Dixon, Pettingill, and
Van Osdel as a premillennial, separatist group, as described previously. This had of course
changed when Riley and Shields came on board. This demonstrates something of the BBUs
domination from the cult of personality. They were willing to shape the movement around its
leaders, rather than find leadership based on the movements principles.