Our Purpose Statement
Why We Exist as a Church...
First Baptist Church exists for:
- Worship - We CELEBRATE God's Presence.
- Evangelism - We COMMUNICATE God's Word.
- Discipleship - We EDUCATE God's People.
- Ministry - We DEMONSTRATE God's Love.
Let's take a look at each of these in a bit more detail:
1. We exist to "celebrate God's presence."
A. Worship: Expressing love to God.
1. "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." Matthew 4:10
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:242. Expressions of worship
- Singing and Music (Ephesians 5:19)
- Commitment (Romans 12:1-2)
- Praying (Psalm 95:6)
- Hearing the Word (John 17:17)
- Giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
- Baptism (Romans 6:3-4)
- Meditating (Habakkuk 2:20)
- The Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
B. Our worship style at FBC is a "balanced" one. That is, we worship the Lord in a variety of ways which seek to direct the worshiper to the presence of God. Musically, we sing both hymns and praise songs in a fresh and creative way. Our worship services culminate with the preaching of God's Word, in which the Bible is taught and applied to everyday life. Each of our worship services should result in:
1. CELEBRATION - Psalm 122:1
2. INSPIRATION - Isaiah 40:31
3. PREPARATION - Ephesians 4:11-12
2. We exist to educate God's people.
A. Discipleship:
1. "Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity..." Hebrews 6:1
2. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18
3. "(God has given)....some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all...become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13
The heartbeat of FBC is our Small Group Bible Studies. Every member should be a part of one of these groups, without exception.
3. We exist to demonstrate God's love.
A. Ministry:
1. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples - that you have love for one another." John 13:35
2. See also: 1 John 3:16-17; Matthew 25:34-40; Hebrews 13:16; Romans 12:13
3. The heartbeat of FBC is our small group Bible study. Every member should be a part of one of these groups, without exception.
4. At FBC....
1. Every member is a minister.
2. Every task is important.
3. Every member is a "10" in some area.B. Evangelism:
1. "His intent was that, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known..." Ephesians 3:1
2. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching (proclaiming/sharing) to them?" Romans 10:13-14
C. Why FBC Must Keep Growing...
1. Because God loves people.
"The Lord...is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
See also 2 Corinthians5:14; Luke 15:3-10; Matthew 9:12-13
2. Because God commands us to reach out.
"Go out into the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full." Luke 14:23
"...you will be my witnesses..." Acts 1:8
3. Because growth is God's will.
God has designed the church to function as a body for service and for growth.
"From him (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:16
"...upon this rock I (Jesus) will build my church..." Matthew 16:18
"And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:47
C. Unbiblical excuses for not growing:
1. "God isn't interested in numbers."
2. "Our church wants quality not quantity"
3. "Large churches are impersonal"D. The challenge for FBC is to grow larger and smaller at the same time.
1. "And the good news of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14
Our Statement of Faith ::
Our Lifestyle Statement
