Frequently-Asked
Questions

1.  What is the size of your church? We have 279 resident members.  Our average Sunday morning attendance is 245. 2.  What is the size of your children and youth groups? We have about 90 children, infants through 6th grade.  We have about 40 active youth (Middle and High School). 3.  What is the history of pastoral leadership? Describe the current pastor(s), their background, tenure, and experience. - The church, begun in 1969, has had 4 pastors and 4 associate pastors. - The current pastor came in 1986.  He has an undergraduate degree in chemistry, and an M. Div. and Ph. D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.  His leadership style is team oriented and consensus building rather than authoritarian or hierarchical. - The associate pastor has served White Rock Baptist Church since the spring of 2003.  He was in full-time ministry for 15 years prior to his coming here.  He has a bachelor of science in psychology and a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He coordinates volunteers and provides educational support for all ages.  He gives guidance to missions, small groups, and children's ministry. - Typically using a "consensus" style of leadership and decision making, the pastors and the church are equally accountable to God and work together as partners in defining the direction for the church. 4.  What is your worship style? Our worship is led by a group of talented musicians who employ a variety of music that ranges from traditional to contemporary.  Our worship service typically includes a time for the children, some time for quiet prayer and meditation, and a biblically-based message. 5.  What are some of the mission activities in which you are involved? - We organize local service projects such as "Acts of Kindness" and bottled water for the community's 4th of July event. - We participate in Operation Christmas Child (our AWANA clubs sponsor this) and Angel Tree (Christmas gifts to children of prison inmates). - We are part of a group of area churches assisting the Casa de Amor para Ninos Orphanage in Las Palomas, Mexico. - We are involved in local ministry through support of Hope Pregnancy Center, Young Life, the local food bank and the work of the Northern New Mexico Interfaith. - We encourage and support individuals who participate in international missions. - We give regularly to the mission causes of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, and the Santa Fe Baptist Association. 6.  What are the strengths of your church? - We are healthy financially and in terms of consistent attendance and participation. - We have a growing number of children and teenagers and young families. - We have strong leadership among both men and women in the congregation. - This is an open, accepting group of people.  There exists a significant level of trust (in God and each other) which allows for freedom and initiative.  People are looking for ways to grow spiritually and to be involved in ministry. - There is a general willingness to explore change and permission to embrace it. - We are quick to respond to the needs of hurting people. - Our church is known in our area for being Bible centered, for love and caring, and for community awareness and cooperation. - The church is generous and supportive of the pastors and their families. - We have a sizable group of committed musicians and worship leaders. 7.  What are the weaknesses of your church? We have a relatively broad-based (decentralized) structure.  Many people are involved in programs and decision making.  This allows congregational ownership of the life and work of the church--it also makes room for spirited discussion!  Thus, we have the occasional interpersonal conflict or "turf struggle" that is characteristic of most churches.  We do not have any hidden, unresolved, internal conflicts which threaten the health of the church. 8.  What is your denominational affiliation? We support the Santa Fe Baptist Association and the Baptist Convention of New Mexico.  We contribute to the mission programs of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. 9.  How would you describe your theology/doctrine? - Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, Savior of mankind and Lord over all. - Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. - The Bible is inspired, authoritative and trustworthy, the sufficient, objective standard for faith and ethics. - The local church, under the Lordship of Christ, is locally owned and operated. - Baptism by immersion is a symbolic statement of the believer's faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. - Every believer in Christ is free and responsible:  free to follow one's conscience in matters of faith and worship; responsible for one's actions, both to God and to the Body of Christ. 10.  What are your core values? LIFE TRANSFORMATION We believe that people who encounter the living God will be changed.  We desire to offer opportunities in and through this church which will encourage and/or facilitate that divine encounter.  We believe people will find purpose for life through meaningful worship and authentic Christian, biblical community. BIBLICAL COMPETENCIES We believe Christians should be always growing in understanding of and capable facility with the Bible.  We believe Christians should be developing theological competency (the ability to articulate basic Christian beliefs).  Christians should deepen in their understanding of and investment in the community of faith, the Church. RESILIENT YOUTH AND CHILDREN We believe a vital part of our task as a Church is to nurture spiritually our children and youth so they may grow in the faith and develop the ability to retain that faith when they leave here.  We believe our children and youth ministries should be dynamic, hope-filled and grace-giving.  We believe that our children should receive the best possible Bible teaching, be given opportunities to put into practice what they have learned, and be shown how to live that faith and share it with others. EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO THE CULTURE We believe the Church must communicate to the culture the fundamental, biblical truth of Christianity and the Church.  We believe our culture should see in us genuine Christianity, and witness a truly Christian response to the public discourse of the day, to local needs and concerns, and to the issues of the world at large.       If you have any questions, please contact us.