Confused in Boston

[bostonlass]

Hi,

I have decided to visit a Baptist church in my area tomorrow to see what it is like. I've done a lot of research and really think that I want to be a Baptist.

Here's my confusion....I just drove by the church so that I could see what time services are. My first confusion is in the times.....it says something like church school at 9:30 and then the actual service is at 11am. Is the school for the children? Do I just show up at the 11am part?

Also, on the bottom of the sign it listed the ministers. Two of them are women. I thought Baptists don't allow women to be ministers?

Any insight would be very much appreciated!

bridget

 

[daveleau]

Sunday School is for everyone. There should be a class for your age group or marital status (singles group or couples, teens, young adult, adult, etc). sunday school is encouraged for all people because it is a time to fellowship and participate with others in the church. The main sermon from the pastor will begin at 11AM. You can just show up a the 11AM service, if you want, though.

Leaders of the church, pastors, are not women in the Baptist denomination. Youth, children ministers or music directors can be women. This is likely what the sign is showing. There is usually a pastor and one or two associate pastors. These are going to be men in mainstream Baptist churches. As for the rest, women and men are equally invited to help in the church.

As for ministry, Baptists consider there to be a difference between a minister and a pastor. A pastor leads the church and preaches from the pulpit. A minister is what all Christians are called to be. We are all called to be ministers. I hope this clears things up a little.

 

[jusluvm]

Hi Bridget,

At most Baptist churches, Sunday School is not just for the children. We have different classes for different age groups---children, youth, young adult's, and even seperate men's and lady's classes for those that wish it. But you don't have to attend Sunday School in order to go to worship service. It's totally your preference.

I love Sunday School! That's when we really get to interact on biblical teachings and life experiences.

As far as the women ministers, I can't help you there. None of the Baptist churches here in my area have women ministers, but I can't speak for the Boston Baptists.

May God bless you as you venture into a new worship experience!

 

[jusluvm]

Leaders of the church, pastors, are not women in the Baptist denomination. Youth, children ministers or music directors can be women. This is likely what the sign is showing. There is usually a pastor and one or two associate pastors. These are going to be men in mainstream Baptist churches. As for the rest, women and men are equally invited to help in the church.

As for ministry, Baptists consider there to be a difference between a minister and a pastor. A pastor leads the church and preaches from the pulpit. A minister is what all Christians are called to be. We are all called to be ministers. I hope this clears things up a little.

Thank you, daveleau! I was typing my post the same time you were typing yours, and I honestly didn't know how to address the "women ministers". :o I'm from a very small southern community and we don't use the word "minister" much---we're just not that "formal", I guess. I never once thought about "ministry leaders"!

We really need a smilie for ingnorant hillbillies---I'd probably wear it out real quick.

 

[bostonlass]

Sunday School is for everyone. There should be a class for your age group or marital status (singles group or couples, teens, young adult, adult, etc). sunday school is encouraged for all people because it is a time to fellowship and participate with others in the church. The main sermon from the pastor will begin at 11AM. You can just show up a the 11AM service, if you want, though.

Leaders of the church, pastors, are not women in the Baptist denomination. Youth, children ministers or music directors can be women. This is likely what the sign is showing. There is usually a pastor and one or two associate pastors. These are going to be men in mainstream Baptist churches. As for the rest, women and men are equally invited to help in the church.

As for ministry, Baptists consider there to be a difference between a minister and a pastor. A pastor leads the church and preaches from the pulpit. A minister is what all Christians are called to be. We are all called to be ministers. I hope this clears things up a little.

Hmmm...this is what the website says:

The First Baptist Church in Beverly has a three-person ministerial staff who work as a non-hierarchical team (Team Ministry), with one minister serving as team coordinator on a rotating basis.

It doesn't list a pastor. This is an American Baptist church. There are two women and one man in the ministry "team".

 

[bostonlass]

I just found another baptist church in Revere and when I clicked on the "meet the pastor" link it took me to a page with a woman reverand.

Just for the record...I guess there's nothing wrong with this but for me personally, hearing a man speak a strong serman would just be my preferance. Maybe the American Baptists do allow women to run their churches? This one in Rever is an American Baptist church.

I just looked at a few of the SBC's around here and I cannot find one woman pastor so maybe that's where the difference is.

 

[JimfromOhio]

I used to live in MA when I was growing up and attended 4 to 8 Baptist Churches including John DeBrine's Ruggle Street Baptist Churches.

Below is a link to list of Bible Faith Baptist Churches.
http://bbc.veritaz.com/

Jim

 

[JimfromOhio]

Baptist churches are confusing all over the world. Today there are at least a hundred different groups which all themselves "Baptist." Many of these churches have conflicting beliefs and practices. So you will have to do some research and find out what kind of Baptist church do you want to attend.

There are different type of Baptist Organizations:
1. American Baptist Churches in the USA
2. Baptist Bible Fellowship International
3. Free Will Baptist churches
4. Reformed Baptist
5. Seventh Day Baptist
6. Southern Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Churches)
7. General Association of Regular Baptist Churches
8. Conservative Baptist Association of America
9. General Baptist Churches
10. Independent Baptist Churches
11. Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches
12. Many, many more Baptist Organizations

And many other different Baptist organizations. Most Baptists share same beliefs.... however there are fundamental, some are not fundamental, legalist and so on.

Jim

 

[JimfromOhio]

I thought I add another good link:
The Hall of Church History: The Baptists
http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/baptist.htm

 

[HiredGoon]

Hmmm...this is what the website says:

The First Baptist Church in Beverly has a three-person ministerial staff who work as a non-hierarchical team (Team Ministry), with one minister serving as team coordinator on a rotating basis.

It doesn't list a pastor. This is an American Baptist church. There are two women and one man in the ministry "team".

The website also has a pic of a rainbow flag, and under the 'Statement of Inclusivity" says:

"We recognize the value of diversity in gender, sexual orientation, race, age, culture, family configuration, theological and political beliefs, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, and persons who are differently abled. We celebrate and find strength in diversity, and view it as a way to understand the inclusiveness of God." [emphasis added]

"As members of this congregation, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are expected and encouraged to share in the liturgical and general life of The First Baptist Church in Beverly."

Personally, I wouldn't bother going to this church. In Mass. you're probably going to find a lot of very liberal churches, even Baptist ones.

 

[daveleau]

The issue of women as pastors is not a concrete issue either way. Women are equal to men, but have different roles, Scripturally. Women have the image of God in them, just as much as men. The issue revolves around Titus and the delineations of preachers and Paul's teachings regarding the Corinthian church. Is it a time-bound teaching? It is difficult to tell. Most Baptist churches can not decide whether it is time-bound or a currently relevant teaching. The Corinthians were being infiltrated by Roman cults that were led by women. But, was this the reason for Paul saying that women should not teach? What about Titus where it says that a pastor should be of only one wife? This is an issue that needs more revelation to be enlightened. Until that time, most Baptist churches go with the more literal translation and decide not to have women preachers. I would not stay away from that church simply because it has women preachers, but it may end up being a more liberal church, which IMO is something I try to avoid. But, that is a assumption based on what is said on their sign. Try it out, but if it is not what you think it should be, please do not liken that experience to Baptists in general. There are some bad churches in each denomination.

 

[bostonlass]

The website also has a pic of a rainbow flag, and under the 'Statement of Inclusivity" says:

"We recognize the value of diversity in gender, sexual orientation, race, age, culture, family configuration, theological and political beliefs, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, and persons who are differently abled. We celebrate and find strength in diversity, and view it as a way to understand the inclusiveness of God." [emphasis added]

"As members of this congregation, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are expected and encouraged to share in the liturgical and general life of The First Baptist Church in Beverly."

Personally, I wouldn't bother going to this church. In Mass. you're probably going to find a lot of very liberal churches, even Baptist ones.

WOW! You're good!!! I had no idea what that rainbow meant. Just thought it was pretty. Duh.

Well geesh I guess I have more homework to do so for today I'll just go to my old church.

thanks everyone.

 

[daveleau]

Yep. That sounds like a safe bet. I hope you can find a better one in your area. A church that celebrates homosexuality is a highly liberal church.

 

[novcncy]

Yep. That sounds like a safe bet. I hope you can find a better one in your area. A church that celebrates homosexuality is a highly liberal church.

Never thought I'd see the day......It's getting closer.

I'm pretty sure that if you look for an independent Baptist church you won't have that problem. But I could be wrong. (I sure hope not!)

 

[Gold Dragon]

The two major evangelical positions on women in ministry are represented by the following groups.

The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood - Danver's Statement
Christians for Biblical Equality - Statement

There are baptists on both sides, although most baptists probably side with the CBMW.