Our Structure
How FBC is Structured :: Our Affiliation :: What it Means to be a Member
"For God is not a God of disorder, but of
peace....everything should be done in a fitting and orderly
way."
1 Corinthians 14:33,40
The nature of the church determines its structure.
A. The church is a fellowship.
1. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship..." Acts 2:42
2. Fellowship is not what the church does; it's what the church is. The top priority of fellowship is harmony and unity.
3. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3
4. "Live in harmony with one another." Romans 12:16
- An attitude that promotes disunity is sinful and not of God.
- Colossians 2:2, 3:13-15; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 14:33; 2 Timothy 2:14, 2:23; Proverbs 17:14; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 1:27, 2:1-3, 4:2; 1 Peter 3:8; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:16-18, 15:5-6; Titus 3:9-11.
- THE IMPLICATION: The structure of the church should always promote unity and downplay differences.
- Many churches are structured so as to create differences. They put virtually everything to a vote.
- "...I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good...I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you..." 1 Corinthians 11:17-18
4. Voting by the church body is appropriate, but should be limited to critical areas which affect the church as a whole (i.e. calling ordained staff; approving the annual budget; purchasing land or buildings; major unbudgeted purchases; constitutional or procedural changes, etc.).
5. The basic principle in the fellowship as it pertains to decision-making should be, "Are we agreed?," not "Let's take a vote."
B. The church is a family.
1. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10
2. [Also, 1 Pet 3:8, 4:17; Heb 2:10-12]
3. THE IMPLICATION: It's more important to operate on the basis of relationships rather than on rules.
- "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters..." 1 Timothy 5:1-2
4. (A Pastor) must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church? 1 Timothy 3:4-5
C. The church is a body.
1. 1 Corinthians 12:27; Eph 1:22-23, 5:23; Col 1:18, 2:19
2. We are a BODY, not a business. We are an ORGANISM, not an organization.
3. THE IMPLICATION: The church's ministry should be structured according to spiritual gifts, not just elected offices.
- "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according the grace given us." Romans 12:4-6
4. Our structure at FBC is one that seeks to maximize ministry and to minimize maintenance.
- "It was He who gave some to be....pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service (ministry), so that the body of Christ may be built up..." Ephesians 4:11-12
5. So at FBC, as it should be at all churches, the PEOPLE are the "ministers"... the PASTORS are the "administers."
D. The church is a flock.
1. While Paul's favorite term for the church was as a "body," the "flock" was Jesus' most common designation for his people (cf. John 10; Matthew 25:33, 26:31).
2. Because the church is a "flock," it is necessarily cared for and led by shepherds.
- "Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Do you really love me?' 'Yes, Lord,' said Peter. 'Then take care of [i.e. "shepherd"] my sheep.'" John 21:16-17
3. Three different terms are used in the New Testament to refer to the same church leaders. They are different terms used to describe the same person:
- PASTOR-SHEPHERD (Gr. poimen): Refers to care
- ELDER (Gr. presbuteros): Refers to spiritual maturity
- OVERSEER (Gr. episcopos): Refers to management
- "To the elders I say, be shepherds of God's flock, serving as overseers..." 1 Peter 5:1-2
- Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived he said to them....Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God..." Acts 20:17-18,28
The FBC Ministry Structure
A. Our staff
1. Paul Purvis, Senior Pastor. Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Furman University, Greenville, SC, 1991; Master of Divinity, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Wroth, TX 1994. Ordained to the gospel ministry 1993, Lakeview Baptist Church, Hartsville, South Carolina. Paul and his wife, Kimberly have 4 sons, Micah (1995), Caleb (1999), Noah (2001), and Luke (2003). Serving First Baptist Church since June 2006.
B. Our deacons
1. Deacons are ordained lay ministers selected by the church for service to the church family. The word deacon (Gr. diakonos) is the same word for "minister" or "servant." Their function is to assist the pastor in the work of ministry, to see to the physical and spiritual needs of the congregation, and to function in such a way so as to free the pastor to devote the better part of his time to the ministry of the Word and prayer (Acts 6).
2. Deacons should be proven, tested leaders in the church, having demonstrated their faithfulness and service prior to being set apart in an official capacity by the church family. The qualifications for deacons (1Timothy 3) are similar to those of pastors.
3. The deacons of First Baptist Church are men who love the Lord and faithfully serve Him and their church family. A list of our deacons and their spouses can be found on this web site.
C. Our ministry teams
Ministry teams are comprised of members of FBC Forsyth. They help to accomplish the work of the church in a wide variety of ministry context.
D. Our worship
Services of worship at First Baptist church are as follows:
- Sunday Celebration Worship: 8:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
- Sunday Connection Group Bible Study: 9:30 a.m.
- Wednesday Adult Bible Study and Prayer, Youth Discipleship, and AWANA Children's Ministry: 6:00 p.m.
- Music Ministry meeting times:
Worship Choir rehearsal: Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m.
E. Our discipleship
At FBC, we strongly believe in Connection Groups as the vehicle by which to grow our church and to train God’s people in the truths of the Bible. Every member should also be an active member of a Bible study class. In fact, you will be assigned to a Bible study group when you join our church, but you are free to select the class of your choice.
F. Our finances
1. What is our annual budget?
- A copy of our current operating budget may be requested by contacting the church office. These figures represent the costs associated with anticipated ministry objectives. Budget areas include: staff salaries, benefits, and expenses; church administration; service ministries; education, discipleship, and evangelism; and missions.
A. First Baptist Church associates with three groups of churches:
1. The Tri-County Baptist Association. This is a voluntary association of 58 churches that fellowship and work together to reach Christian, Stone, and Taney counties for Christ.
2. The Missouri Baptist Convention. Over 1,800 churches which associate together to reach the state of Missouri for Christ.
3. The Southern Baptist Convention. Over 40,000 churches that cooperate together in a world wide effort of missions.
a. It is the largest association of Christian churches in Missouri and America. One out of every 10 churches in America is affiliated with the SBC. There are 40,000 churches and over 16 million Southern Baptist church members, more than most other denominations combined.
b. It is one of the most diverse associations of churches. SBC churches include every race, nationality, and ethnic group. Each Sunday, services are held in over 80 languages in the U.S.
c. It is one of the fastest growing Christian groups in the world. SBC churches baptize an average of 1,000 new Christians a day in the U.S. and start nearly 5 churches a day.
B. Why not just be an independent church?
1. FBC is an independent church! Every Southern Baptist Church is completely independent. There is no denominational control or hierarchy, as there is in most other denominations. Each church is self-governed and determines its own affairs. At First Baptist Church, we:
- Choose our own staff.
- Set our own budget.
- Own our own buildings and property.
- Determine our own programs.
C. What are the advantages of affiliating with the SBC?
1. It allows us to identify with other Christians around the world who are known for their commitment to the Bible. Unlike other groups, Southern Baptists have no man-made creed. The Bible is our only authority.
2. It allows us to participate in the largest missionary organization in the world. Through the SBC Cooperative Program, we help support over 7,500 missionaries in over 100 countries around the world.
3.Through the SBC Cooperative Program, churches voluntarily contribute a percentage of the undesignated receipts to help support missions and education related projects at the state, national, and international level. Six Southern Baptist seminaries are funded through the Cooperative Program, as are North American missions, International missions, Baptist Children's Homes, Baptist homes for the aged, state Baptist colleges and universities, and other state and local missions related projects.
3. What it means to be a member
A. The difference between attendees and members can be summed up in one word: COMMITMENT.
1. An attendee is a consumer; a member is a contributor.
2. At FBC, we encourage people to commit themselves to membership. Why?
- A biblical reason: Christ is committed to the church. "Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for her..." (Ephesians 5:25). Membership is a practical expression of commitment.
- A cultural reason: It is an antidote to our culture. We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything...a job, a marriage, our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of church hoppers and church shoppers. Membership goes against the current of America's "consumer religion." It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.
- A practical reason: It defines who can be counted on. Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census. Membership identifies our family.
- A person reason: It produces spiritual growth. The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you're not committed to any specific church family.
B. The FBC Membership Commitment
1. "Having received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, having been Scripturally baptized, and being in agreement with the statements and structure of First Baptist Church of Forsyth, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the First Baptist Church family. In so doing, I commit myself to God and to other church family members to do the following:
- I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH.
a. By acting in love toward other members.
- "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19
- "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus..." Romans 14:5
- "...love one another deeply from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22
b. By refusing to gossip.
- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs..." Ephesians 4:29
c. By following my leadership.
- "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you." Hebrews 13:17
- I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY IN MY CHURCH.
a. By praying for its health and growth.
"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember (you)..." 1 Thessalonians 1:2
b. By inviting unchurched people I know to attend.
"Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be full." Luke 14:23
c. By warmly welcoming those who visit.
"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to praise to God." Romans 15:7
- I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH.
a. By discovering my gifts and talents.
"...in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:5-6
b. By using those gifts and talents to serve Christ and others.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7
c. By developing a servant's heart.
"Each of you should look out not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who...made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant..." Philippians 2:4-5,7
- I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH.
a. By attending services and activities faithfully.
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
b. By living a Christ-like, godly life.
"...live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ephesians 4:1
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27
c. By supporting my church financially.
"A tithe of everything....belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." Leviticus 27:30
"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" Malachi 3:10
"But just as you excel in everything...see that you also excel in this grace of giving." 2 Corinthians 8:7
