|
I
like to tell people we are the "Jimmy Carter kind of Baptists" and not
the Jerry Falwell kind.
Usually
they get it right away.
Not
that I mean to slander Jerry Falwell, but his brand of Baptist Christianity is
very different from that which we strive for at First Baptist Church.
Ours is more inclusive than exclusive, less interested in political power
than the surprising, self-giving power of Jesus, more concerned with the total
life of the person than with "saving souls."
It's much more like the faith of Jimmy Carter, who was a member of First
Baptist Church during his four years as President.
Since then he has distinguished himself through his involvement in global
peacemaking and programs like Habitat for Humanity.
He was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
He is an active member of his local Baptist church and an outspoken
follower of Jesus Christ. If we
could be Christians like that I think we would be closer to what those early
Baptists had in mind when they laid claim to the principles of religious freedom
and individual responsibility.
First
Baptist Church is known for creative, liturgical worship in one of the most
beautiful Baptist churches ever built; for the diversity of its congregation,
not only in age, gender, and ethnicity, but also in national origin; and for its
commitment to mission and ministry that will impact the neighborhood, the city,
the nation, and the world.
Check
out the rest of our web site, and then come pay us a visit.
We'll save you a place on the "Jimmy Carter Pew."
Download and Listen to Sermons (.mp3):
PRINTED SERMONS:
|