FACT: Each year 20% of the population of the United States relocates. In the span of just five years, the equivalent of the entire population of the U.S. has had to adapt to living in a new community.
Settling into a new place can be a lot more frustrating than you might think. While many people relocate each year, many others have never left the community into which they were born. The potential for friction where these people meet is high. Multiple cultures have structured their lives on the basis of their own unique perspectives and experiences, and neither one is readily convinced to forsake those perspectives and experiences when they meet another party. Even in our global world, change is occurring much more rapidly than it used to, but the dynamics of adjustment are still undeniable. Marriages, families, friendships, neighborhoods - indeed, entire communities - can be severely undermined when they lack good leadership. Grace Baptist offers a wealth of understanding and patient guidance in the form of experienced individuals - individuals that are willing to work alongside and provide underlying principles that will aid you as you adjust. But we cannot help you until you understand, and accept, a few things about us.
People of different levels of experience come to us. Here's what each can expect:
NEWCOMERS:
When you first visit Grace Baptist church, you will notice the plain nature of our edifice. For the past 25 years our budget has allocated over 80% to ministry expenses, and less than 20% to facility maintenance and upgrades. This speaks unashamedly of our priorities. Our facility does, however, include seating for 200, multiple classrooms, offices, restrooms, a nursery, a library, a gymnasium, and a dining hall (w/ kitchen). Most are handicapped accessible.
As you enter the auditorium you will notice that a pulpit stands at the very front and center. For the past 50 years, preaching has been the focus of our public services. Singing provides a vital tool as a reinforcement for teaching. We use a piano and organ for instrumental accompaniment. Hymn books and chorus books containing words and music are available in pews. Electronic sound amplification assists the hearing impaired, and most services are digitally recorded. Generally, our Sunday morning service is more formal, in both structure and attire. Evening services are somewhat less so.
For those with toddlers, a staffed nursery is provided during Sunday school and Sunday morning services. Children up to third grade have the option of attending Children's church after the opening of the Sunday morning service. Expect Sunday morning service to end about 12:10pm. While most visitors initially start out with this service, many have found that they like our other ministries even better, as they are less formal, allow for more interaction, and provide a better opportunity to become acquainted with our individual members. The opportunity to ask questions and carry on discussion draws many to our Sunday school. Our extended music service on Sunday evening, combined with opportunity to sing favorite song requests, and hear about our missionaries, is a favorite time of many. And our midweek service is especially refreshing to those who need an extra spiritual boost in the middle of their hectic work week.
Visitors are asked to fill out a visitor information card and leave it with us so that we may have a record of their visit for possible follow-up (you can indicate on the card whether you are interested in this service or not). Offering plates are passed during each service for the convenience of our members only. While visitors are not forbidden from making a contribution, Grace Baptist does not solicit funds from anyone but church members for its support.
AWANA: If there is any single feature of our church that causes us to stand out in this community, apart from our devotion to God and His Word, it is the emphasis we put on ministering to young people. Of particular value in the coordinated outreach we make to them is our Tuesday night AWANA club. Our AWANA charter dates back to the 1960's, making it one of the oldest clubs in the nation, and our experience as well as our accomplishments in this endeavor are readily apparent to all who participate. If you have, or know of, a young person between three years old and high school graduation we highly encourage you to get them involved. Plenty of supervision and leadership is present in each club, and parents are welcome to observe and participate where interested.
INTERMEDIATE CHURCH ATTENDERS:
While King James Bibles are provided in the pews, most services utilize the New American Standard Version of the scriptures. Many people bring their own Bible from home. Preaching is usually textual exposition, with topical studies being undertaken only occasionally. While study notes are not always provided as part of the sermon, individual note taking is highly encouraged.
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ADVANCED CHURCH ATTENDERS:
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