Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)

1. What is First Baptist's worship style?
2. I'm not used to a large church.  Won't I get lost in the crowd?
3. What's with all the different types of membership on this website?
4. Where can I find answers to my questions on life, faith and God?
5. How do I become a Christian?
6. Why is the Discovery Class a requirement for church membership?

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1. What is First Baptist's worship style?

Some times people choose the church they attend based on worship style.  When people ask about worship style, what they might be wondering is: do we tend to sing hymns or praise music? do we use a band or an organ? do we have a choir or an ensemble?  Worship styles tend to be labeled 'traditional', 'high church', 'contemporary' or 'blended'. 

Some of these titles show who a church is trying to target with their worship style.  At First Baptist, we have people from all walks of life coming together to worship with different preferences, different talents, and different heart languages.  We don't want to leave anyone out when it comes to worship. 

In some cases, churches with a similar broad make up try to please everyone by having a little bit of everything (blended).  The problem with this idea is that it's starting from the wrong place.  It is catering to the wrong audience.  Worship should be centered around God - He is our audience of one.  When we start with the right mindset - that God is our audience, then we can move on from there. 

We must also understand what worship really is, and what it isn't.  Worship isn't just music.  In fact, music is only a small part of what worship entails.  Worship is an expression of the heart.  It is our attitude toward God.  When we worship God, we are saying that with all that we have and with all that we are, we recognize Him as our Father, the Creator of the Universe, and our Sovereign Lord.  If that only took place in the music that we sang on Sundays, it wouldn't quite ring true.  Worship is reflected in all of our life.  In every action, every thought, every decision, every relationship we have the opportunity to worship God. 

OK, this is probably more than you wanted to know, so lets focus back in on the worship service.  Worship happens when we give God a portion of what He's blessed us with financially.  Worship happens when we engage in the pastor's talk and the Word of God.  Worship happens when we open our hearts up to the prompting of God's Spirit and respond to His invitation to life change.  And yes, worship happens when we sing about Him or listen to special music that focuses our hearts upward. 

At our church, we call this style of worship "Convergent."  Convergent means to draw together in unity.  It doesn't mean that we're all the same.  In fact, it recognizes that we're all unique, but in worship we come together to focus on God and not on ourselves.  Convergent worship looks at the gifting of the local body and expresses itself based on that gifting.  Convergent worship is focused on Christ and formed by the worship expression of the local body.  So at First Baptist, you might hear a full choir leading the congregation in traditional hymns or choruses accompanied by the piano and organ.  You might also sing a praise song with the band.  Each service might reflect a broad range of musical styles, because we are a varied people - a varied people united in worship and expressing that worship through who we are.  

2. I'm not used to a large church.  Won't I get lost in the crowd?

A church is only as powerful as it's small groups.  We call our small groups Sunday school classes.  We worship together as a church body but Sunday school is the church mobilized.  Community happens in Sunday school, Bible study and discussion happen in Sunday school, and ministry happens in Sunday school.  Large churches depend on Sunday school to be little churches.  So come check us out and get connected to a Sunday school class!

3. What's with all the different types of membership on this website?

This can be a little confusing but we're bound by the limitations of our web host's software settings.  The different types of membership that you will encounter regarding our church on this website include:

a. Church membership - You can become a candidate for membership by coming forward during the invitation on a Sunday morning, or by talking to one of our ministers. Upon the completion of our Discovery Class, all candidates will be presented to the church at the end of the worship service. We'd love for you to join us if First Baptist is the church where God wants you. The Discovery Class is one of the ways we help you to make an informed decision.  The Discovery Class is a 5 week series during the Sunday school hour (9am) that focuses on key Christian beliefs, salvation, Southern Baptist tenets, church membership and ministry involvement.  Click here to register.

b. Website membership - This is a membership you sign up for on the website (Get Connected/Log in/Become a Member), and log in to (Get Connected/Log in) each time you want to use some of the special features on the website (such as Member Business Submissions, or the Member Directory).  As important as this membership sounds, we rarely use it's features and most of the time you won't need to worry with it to use applications on the website.

c. Church Pictorial Directory - You can view the church's picture directory online through a link to Olan Mills. This directory is periodically updated so it will contain newer members since our printed directory came out. For the protection of our members this directory requires a password that you can obtain from the church office. (email a request for the password).

d. ACS membership - to completely confuse you, this is also a membership that you can sign up for on the website (Get Connected/Church Member Log in) .  This membership is to have access to our actual church database from the website.  When you go to this page, the layout looks completely different so you know that it's not part of the website.  This is still a very handy tool for those who are church members (see number 1).  You can check out your giving to the church, get contact information on folks in your Sunday school class, look up other members, and even print labels.

d. Sunday school membership - You can be a member of a Sunday school class without being a member of our church.  Just choose what class you'd like to be a member of (see list) and email the church office with your contact information, and presto change-o, you're a Sunday school member.  You'll be added to the class role and receive class correspondance, and periodic calls from your teacher or class members about prayer requests you might have, or upcoming events.  Join a Sunday school class today!

e. Members Only - A popular thin jacket in the '80's.  We don't have a dress code, but if you're still sporting one of these, please, let it go. Let it go.

4. Where can I find answers to questions about life, faith and God?
We'd love to discuss any questions that you might have. Just call us at the office, email or set up an appointment to talk to one of our ministers. If you're not able to get to us immediately or you want to check out different resources, there are several online resources that we recommend.
Answers To Tough Questions
This is a great resource brought to you by the people who publish "Our Daily Bread" devotions.
click here
We also encourage you to check out some of the links on our family resources page.

5. How do I become a Christian? (used from www.sbc.net)
You're not here by accident. God loves you. He wants you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus, His Son. There is just one thing that separates you from God. That one thing is sin.
The Bible describes sin in many ways. Most simply, sin is our failure to measure up to God’s holiness and His righteous standards. We sin by things we do, choices we make, attitudes we show, and thoughts we entertain. We also sin when we fail to do right things. The Bible affirms our own experience – “there is none righteous, not even one.” No matter how good we try to be, none of us does right things all the time.
People tend to divide themselves into groups - good people and bad people. But God says that every person who has ever lived is a sinner, and that any sin separates us from God. No matter how we might classify ourselves, this includes you and me. We are all sinners.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
Many people are confused about the way to God. Some think they will be punished or rewarded according to how good they are. Some think they should make things right in their lives before they try to come to God. Others find it hard to understand how Jesus could love them when other people don't seem to. But I have great news for you! God DOES love you! More than you can ever imagine! And there's nothing you can do to make Him stop! Yes, our sins demand punishment - the punishment of death and separation from God. But, because of His great love, God sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
For you to come to God you have to get rid of your sin problem. But, in our own strength, not one of us can do this! You can't make yourself right with God by being a better person. Only God can rescue us from our sins. He is willing to do this not because of anything you can offer Him, but JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!
"He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy." Titus 3:5
It's God's grace that allows you to come to Him - not your efforts to "clean up your life" or work your way to Heaven. You can't earn it. It's a free gift.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
For you to come to God, the penalty for your sin must be paid. God's gift to you is His son, Jesus, who paid the debt for you when He died on the Cross.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Jesus paid the price for your sin and mine by giving His life on a cross at a place called Calvary, just outside of the city walls of Jerusalem in ancient Israel. God brought Jesus back from the dead. He provided the way for you to have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. When we realize how deeply our sin grieves the heart of God and how desperately we need a Savior, we are ready to receive God's offer of salvation. To admit we are sinners means turning away from our sin and selfishness and turning to follow Jesus. The Bible word for this is "repentance" - to change our thinking about how grievous sin is, so our thinking is in line with God's.
All that's left for you to do is to accept the gift that Jesus is holding out for you right now.
"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10
God says that if you believe in His son, Jesus, you can live forever with Him in glory.
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
Are you ready to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus is offering you right now? Let's review what this commitment involves:

• I acknowledge I am a sinner in need of a Savior - this is to repent or turn away from sin
• I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead - this is to trust that Jesus paid the full penalty for my sins
  
• I confess Jesus as my Lord and my God - this is to surrender control of my life to Jesus
  
• I receive Jesus as my Savior forever - this is to accept that God has done for me and in me what He promised
  

If it is your sincere desire to receive Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior, then talk to God from your heart:
Here's a Suggested Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I do not deserve eternal life. But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to make me a new creation and to prepare me to dwell in your presence forever. Jesus, come into my life, take control of my life, forgive my sins and save me. I am now placing my trust in You alone for my salvation and I accept your free gift of eternal life."
If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please let us know. We want to rejoice in what God has done in your life and help you to grow spiritually.
If you have questions or concerns you would like help with, please call or write and let us know. We're here to help you understand the love that Jesus is offering you for free, no matter who or where you are. E-mail us at host@fbcvr.com, call (770) 459-5138, or write to us at: First Baptist Villa Rica, 1483 W Hwy 78, Villa Rica GA 30180.  *You don't have to become a church member in order to become a Christian. We would love to talk with you regardless of what church you decide to be a part of.

6. Why is the Discovery Class a requirement for church membership?
Church membership is an important decision. In order to help you make that decision, the Discovery Class opens a window into what it means to be a Christian, a Southern Baptist and a part of our church. The Discovery Class helps individuals through the process of becoming family not only through the information learned in the class, but also through member testimonies, meeting the church staff, forming friendships with others in the class and through a tour of the church facilities. We have found that those who go through this class become active and excited about being a part of our congregation and are far less likely to go through the "back door." The Discovery Class is open to church members, interested guests and those desiring to join. Click here to sign up for our next available class!

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