The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a set of ministries supported by a network of cooperating Baptist churches.

​

These ministries include international and domestic missions, theological education, advocacy for religious liberty, literature production, insurance and retirement services for pastors and other church workers, and the infrastructure necessary to keep these cooperative efforts operational. Specifically, the Convention was created “to provide a general organization of Baptists in the United States and its territories for the promotion of Christian missions at home and abroad and any other objects such as Christian education, benevolent enterprises, and social services which it may deem proper and advisable for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God” (SBC Constitution, Article II).

​

Associations within the SBC exist to provide local avenues for the same type of ministries.

​

The Etowah Baptist Association affirms the beliefs of the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).