FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
FAQ's
What’s in the name Baptist?
This church is a Baptist church by conviction and principle, not by affiliation. This means that we believe the basic Bible teachings for which Baptists have historically stood. As Baptists, we believe the following: the Bible is our sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. The church should be autonomous or self-governing. The believer does not need a priest, other than Jesus Christ, to come boldly to God. Every Christian has equal access to God personally. God’s Word gives us two ordinances for the church—baptism and the Lord’s table. Each person is individually responsible for his decision to accept Christ. The separation of church and state is biblical. The believer is eternally secure and cannot lose salvation. There are two biblical offices in the church—pastors and deacons.
What does it mean to be an independent church?
As an independent Baptist church, we are not affiliated with any particular Baptist denomination or ruling body. Because of this we can support our own missionaries, select our own leaders, and support institutions that believe as we believe. In short, our church answers to the headship of Jesus Christ rather than a denominational body. There are currently more than 10,000 independent Baptist churches in America and thousands more throughout the world.
What is required for membership?
To be a member of Faithway Baptist you must first be saved and baptized in a church of like-faith. Shortly after becoming a member, you will be invited to attend our new member’s orientation one Saturday morning with Pastor Schwanke. This will be a time to get to know your pastor and to understand more about the purposes of the church.
How are the finances of the church handled?
Annually, our church votes on the budget that is prepared by the leadership team and deacons. On an annual basis, an outside CPA provides an audit of our accounting and books.
How is the leadership of the church structured?
Ultimately, Christ is the head of this church. On a daily basis, the church is primarily led by the pastor and pastoral leadership team. This team works together in prayer and decision making to follow the leading of God for our church ministry. Also, our deacons serve as a church elected group that meets with the pastor monthly to review and discuss matters of church importance. This provides a high level of accountability as well as a great spirit of team cooperation as we follow God’s leading for this church.
What is the church’s approach to financial giving?
We have never practiced pressure techniques or fund-raising schemes. Rather, we choose to occasionally preach and teach what God’s Word says about Christian stewardship and giving. How you respond to that teaching is a heart issue between you and the Lord. The only times you will be contacted about your giving is when you receive your annual giving statement summary.
What does the church do to help the needy?
Our church leadership team oversees a benevolence fund that is used to help needy people with basic needs from within and without the church. Each need is carefully evaluated and met to the best of our ability.
