A Baptist church is an autonomous entity. It does not answer to any denominational or ecclesiastical organization. As such, membership is granted by a vote of the members. In many cases, this consists of someone presenting themself for membership at the end of a service, and a quick voice vote taken immediately (Pastor: Susan X comes on promise of a letter from the XYZ Baptist church, what is your pleasure? Member1: I move that she be accepted for membership. Pastor: Is there a second? Member2: Second. Pastor: All in favor, say "aye". Any opposed?) Hopefully, this is someone who have been visiting awhile, has spoken with the pastor, and has demonstrated the marks of a Christian. However, in the past (the situation I was describing earlier), the emphasis was on racking up those decisions, regardless of the regenerative nature of the candidate.
Now, since the church is autonomous, it has regular business meetings, attended by the membership at large. During these meetings the church can conduct any and all business. Remember "Susan X" from the above paragraph? She came into membership on promise of a "letter" from the XYZ Baptist church. The XYZ Baptist church, meeting in business session, would decide whether to grant this "letter of recommendation" to the requesting church. I was simply speaking in my earlier post of how it is ludicrous to grant a "recommendation" for a person you don't even know (for all you know they are an axe murderer!).
Does this clear things up some? Recognize that in many non-Baptist churches, the process can be even more "exclusive" with comprehensive grilling of the candidate, including, sometimes, the obtaining of a promise from the candidate that they are going to contribute a specific amount to the upkeep of the church.
Such letters would also be needed in a "structured " church as the one I belong to.If I were to relocate or just decide to change churches locally,a similar procedure would occur...however I would have to look in the manual to se if the church board was brought into the picture. I think (by my poor memory) that because the Pastor is under a superintendent and serves at his will along with the local church..that he is the sole voice needed for a reference.Without it there could be no membership transfer at all. I am not sure what would happen to the person..perhaps a time of attendance and them membership classes there if that Pastor decided.
In my denomination the pastor is the decision maker..