Core Values
First is our commitment to lead lives both individually and corporately that are pleasing to God as it is revealed to each in his own unique way through worship, fellowship, study of the scriptures and serving our community. This is a journey without an end and we invite all people irrespective of previous religious affiliation, gender, or ethnicity to join us on this journey.
We choose to be affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of USA, the oldest of the many Baptist denominations in this country, because at the heart of Baptist belief is a commitment to individual choice which we call “the Priesthood of all Believers” and also a commitment to a democratic, participatory process of organizing our church life and ministry. Baptists believe in spiritual freedom. As a result, individual Baptists often hold strong convictions on matters of faith and life. Sometimes they even seem in opposition to one another! But we believe that this great variety and diversity is the result of taking seriously a personal need to encounter God, and to wrestle with what God calls each of us to be.
As a Community Church we have an opportunity to inspire spiritual vision and to encourage spiritual exploration for a wide variety of people. We strive not to encourage artificial barriers to inclusion, but instead to welcome all who desire to participate. Present membership includes many whose background is in the Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Reformed and other Christian traditions, as well as Baptist. In addition, present participants represent fourteen nationalities and cultures in addition to the United States. One result of this diversity is that we have been historically free to draw upon the expressions and rituals from many traditions. Some participants remain shaped by the spiritual tradition from which they came; others are "independent thinkers" who have never found it possible to assent to a particular creed or faith doctrine. We are also able to welcome those who are uncertain about the specifics of their Christian belief, but who desire to participate in a spiritual fellowship. We strive to make use of the gifts of everyone, and to unite in strength to contribute to the well being of our communities here and abroad. It also reflected the group's vision because Baptists demonstrate great freedom in worship, belief and practice then and now, and remain one of the most diverse religious groups in the United States.
American Baptist Churches USA
www.abc-usa.org
National Council of Churches
www.ncccusa.org
Baptist World Alliance
www.bwanet.org
We choose to be affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of USA, the oldest of the many Baptist denominations in this country, because at the heart of Baptist belief is a commitment to individual choice which we call “the Priesthood of all Believers” and also a commitment to a democratic, participatory process of organizing our church life and ministry. Baptists believe in spiritual freedom. As a result, individual Baptists often hold strong convictions on matters of faith and life. Sometimes they even seem in opposition to one another! But we believe that this great variety and diversity is the result of taking seriously a personal need to encounter God, and to wrestle with what God calls each of us to be.
As a Community Church we have an opportunity to inspire spiritual vision and to encourage spiritual exploration for a wide variety of people. We strive not to encourage artificial barriers to inclusion, but instead to welcome all who desire to participate. Present membership includes many whose background is in the Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Reformed and other Christian traditions, as well as Baptist. In addition, present participants represent fourteen nationalities and cultures in addition to the United States. One result of this diversity is that we have been historically free to draw upon the expressions and rituals from many traditions. Some participants remain shaped by the spiritual tradition from which they came; others are "independent thinkers" who have never found it possible to assent to a particular creed or faith doctrine. We are also able to welcome those who are uncertain about the specifics of their Christian belief, but who desire to participate in a spiritual fellowship. We strive to make use of the gifts of everyone, and to unite in strength to contribute to the well being of our communities here and abroad. It also reflected the group's vision because Baptists demonstrate great freedom in worship, belief and practice then and now, and remain one of the most diverse religious groups in the United States.
American Baptist Churches USA
www.abc-usa.org
National Council of Churches
www.ncccusa.org
Baptist World Alliance
www.bwanet.org
