Baptist's have Conventions and Local Association offices that are supposed to be resource and guidance centers but they frequently exercise the type of authority you all are talking about. None of it direct, of course, but by denying resources, funding and/or equipment usage to churches not toeing the line. Oppression is the real danger that I can see.

I really didn't know what a Synod was. Thanks for clearing it up.

Josh
"...the word of God is not bound."--2 Timothy 2:9