First Baptist Church of Lexington, MA
Who Are We? - American Baptists
There are many different Baptist denominations with various theological and social positions. First Baptist Church of Lexington is pleased to be a part of the Baptist denomination known as American Baptists. The American Baptist Churches, USA is one of the mainline protestant churches in America.
As American Baptists, we celebrate unity in diversity as one of 5,800 churches consisting of various ethnic groups, worship styles, theological understandings, and churches with both large and small congregations. American Baptists affirm the autonomy of the local church, follow a congregational model of church government, and have no hierarchical governing body. We own our land and buildings, call our own pastor and ministerial staff and seek to live out the mission and ministry that Christ has given to our church. As American Baptists, we also believe in interdependence and work together with other churches and our denomination to accomplish the work of Christ in our world.
Our Church Purpose
Believing that God so loved the world that He sent His only son that we might have life and have it abundantly, we proclaim it as our common purpose to witness in word and action to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in every area of life. We look to the Work of God as the source and guide of the life we share together. We look to the world as the field of our mission and service for Christ.
Believing that God wants us to be together as a loving community of His disciples, we gather for worship, fellowship, and Christian education. We proclaim the gospel in word and sacrament. We celebrate occasions of joy and happiness, and we care for each other in times of illness and sorrow. Since growth in faith is a lifelong process, we provide young and old alike with education and training in Christian discipleship.
Believing that God calls us to be his reconciling agents in the world, we scatter, reconciling people to God and to one another. We reach out to meet spiritual needs and physical needs among those in our community and beyond. We provide a Christian voice on issues involving social injustice, and we participate meaningfully in wider Christian Missions beyond our local congregation.
Church Governance
Our church is run democratically. Church members manage our church affairs by serving on boards and committees. As a Baptist Church, our congregation makes its own decisions, selects its clergy and staff, and manages its finances.
Affiliations
Samuel Stillman Association
The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts
We are also involved in ecumenical work and ministry with churches of other denominations and faith communities in the greater Lexington area. First Baptist Church of Lexington has a long tradition of being involved in community service to our city and mission endeavors around the world.