More FAQs

These are other questions we have been asked in the past.

If I’m shy and don't like meeting new people is there any reason for me to come to church? I can believe in God and stay at home, can’t I?

Certainly it is not necessary to go to church to believe in Jesus Christ and have Him change your life. However, most Christians really appreciate the opportunity to spend time with other believers worships God, learning from the Bible and encouraging each other.

Most of us are apprehensive about meeting new folk, especially if we are shy, and we try hard to make people fell welcome and not to embarrass them.

How are people who go to a Baptist Church different to Methodists or C of E or Roman Catholics?

Christians are a very mixed group of people, with all sorts of personalities and backgrounds. Different churches worship in different ways, and most Christians settle in a church where they feel comfortable, at home, and can share love and concern for others.

All authentic historic churches believe the same things about God, Jesus, and how we can receive eternal life. Baptists differ from some churches in that we believe that baptism should follow a personal decision to follow Christ, and therefore is something that happens to a believer, usually as a teenager or an adult.  

Baptist churches are independent and govern themselves through decisions of a meeting of the members of that local church.

What makes Christians think they’re so much better than everyone else?

Christians wouldn't say that they are better than others. In a sense, it is quite the reverse. They are aware of the wrong things they have done and appreciate the forgiveness they have received from God. Hopefully that forgiveness enables them to live better lives than they would have otherwise done.

What’s the difference between a minister and a vicar?

Terms like ministers, vicars, and pastor are used to describe the trained leaders of local congregations. In Baptist Churches, the minister or pastor will generally undertake the bulk of the preaching and pastoral care, as well as giving spiritual leadership to the church. Shared leadership is important in many Baptist Churches and so those will be involved in most aspects of church life.

One way of understanding the relationship between the congregation and their minister is that he or she functions as a coach, encouraging and training the whole church, rather than the expert professional who does it all.

Why doesn’t your minister wear a dog collar?

We don't think people need to wear special clothes to be special to God! We are all special to God and so most ministers wear the kind of clothes as everyone else. Generally, Baptist ministers do not wear robes or a dog collar, even when conducting services, although some may for funerals or other special occasions.

Why are there always kids running around in the churchyard on a Friday night in the summer?

One of the most exciting parts of our church life is the large number of young people who are involved in various weekly activities including the Friday night Y Club, as well and on Sundays and other times.

Our young people are very much part of the whole church and so you will also see them involved with other church members, and even helping out with maintaining the church buildings!

I know someone who goes to church -- they're a right misery guts and they're always talking about other people behind their backs -- why don’t you kick them out?

This is a tricky one. Of course not everyone who goes to church is a Christian! And some Christians still go through situations which which can make them sad or depressed. However, hopefully, most Christians you will meet reflect something of the joy and life which they have received from Jesus Christ.

Do you have to go to church every week if you’re a Christian?

Most Christians try to get to church as often as they can because worshipping God together is a very important part of their faith.  However, weekly attendance is probably becoming rarer.

Who pays the minister's wages?

The local congregation do from the offerings taken on a Sunday.

Why don't you do more for the old people of the area?

We believe by creating many all age activities within the church programme we do cater for the whole community.  We also have some activities specifically designed for older folk.

In addition, much of the work of the church is undertaken by individual Christians living alongside others and therefore showing Christian care and concern to their neighbours.

Do you kneel down to pray in your church?

No!  Different Christian traditions adopt different ways of praying.  Knelling, sitting, standing, even laying down! We sit!