Faith Baptist Church

About

What is Faith Baptist Visalia About?

We are committed to building lives rooted in Christ and the Word.

Our mission is to 1) Introduce individuals to Jesus Christ. 2) Disciple believers to spiritual maturity. 3) Equip believers for ministry. 4) In all things to bring glory to God.

Philosophy of Ministry

FAITHFUL TO GOD’S COMMANDS

A man-centered church cannot please God and has no value in true spiritual growth for its people. Church leaders must devote themselves to seeking to know God’s Word and His commands for their church, and they must commit themselves to faithful execution of those commands. Paul told Timothy, “I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God” (1 Tim 3:15). Timothy, as a steward of the church, was obligated to know what was required of Him in order to fulfill his calling. Paul reminded the Ephesian elders of their stewardship when he told them, “…to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). The church is Christ’s church. It should never operate as a platform for one’s personal advancement or man-centered philosophies and methodologies. It is foolish to believe that man has better strategies for operating the church than God’s clear commands in Scripture.

FAITHFUL TO PRAYER AND WORSHIP

The demonstrated “love of Christ controls us…that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf” which is the reasonable privilege of the church (Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Whether the church resides here on this earth, or in Heaven with Him its all-consuming aim is to please Him and live for His glory (Isaiah 43:7, 2 Corinthians 5:9). In view of God’s mercies, elders lead the church in worship to God and in complete dependence on the Lord through prayer in all things. The Sovereign God declares the end from the beginning. His plan will be established and He will accomplish all His good pleasure, yet He commands His people to pray fervently and continually (Isaiah 46:9-10, Luke 18:1-8; Ephesians 6:18, I Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16-18). Elders must follow the example of Christ Himself (Luke 6:12) and seek communion with God and joy in God through prayer. Elders lead the church in pursuing Christ in prayer confident of God’s powerful intervention in the church’s effectiveness, direction, needs, concerns, temptations, and opportunities (Matthew 6:5-15; Philippians 4:6-7).

FAITHFUL TO CHRIST’S COMMISSION

The church has been sent by Christ to proliferate across the planet making disciples. Elders must lead through example and exhort God’s people to always seek to evangelize the lost. Churches must be in the business of planting churches, not for the sake of imperialistic brand-driven growth, but for the purpose of world-wide Christ-exalting discipleship. Disciples are those who understand the gospel and make a true profession of faith which results in a changed life. These are the ones that the church is to baptize. A disciple is one who grows in grace and knowledge of Jesus (2 Pet. 3:18). Growth happens when a true disciple comes under the teaching of the Word of God. Jesus commanded the church to teach disciples “to observe all that I commanded you” (Matt 28:20). Godly leaders are those consumed with the teaching and preaching of God’s Word as a faithful steward of Christ’s command.

FAITHFUL TO THE SAINTS’ COMPLETION

Jesus commanded His disciples to “be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). God’s people must grow to become mature, Christlike people. Paul identified this as his purpose in Col. 1:28 when he stated, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Paul possessed an undefeatable resolve to fulfill his commission as a church leader. He rejoiced in his sufferings he had earned on behalf of the church (Col. 1:24–25). The goal of Christian maturity for God’s people must become the obsession of God’s leaders even if it brings suffering.

FAITHFUL TO FRUITFUL MINISTRY

Mature Christians are those who grow in an understanding of God’s Word and become motivated to minister. Paul explained that the church had been gifted with leaders “…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11). The purpose of godly church leadership is to equip the saints to minister. When godly people become motivated through the faithful teaching of godly elders and do the work of the ministry as God has called them to, the result is the building up of the body of Christ. Biblical church growth produces growing Christians who in turn produce growing Christians. The end goal, according to Paul, is to become like Christ and to produce mature Christians marked by a knowledge of Christ, Christian unity, and brotherly love working in fruitful ministry (Eph. 4:13-16).

FAITHFUL TO CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Church discipline stands as one of the most neglected activities of the church today. Jesus clearly laid out the practice in Matthew 18:15–19. Church discipline protects the body from unrepentant sinners who can lead others into sin. It also acts as a warning for God’s people to walk in repentance and humility which are true marks of a believer. Church discipline has the goal of lovingly calling the sinner to repentance or face consequences for his sin. The goal undergirding the discipline process is the repentance and restoration of the sinning believer into the body of Christ. Although many are reluctant to carry out Christ’s commands for church discipline it is a vital activity of the church. Churches that practice faithful, biblical church discipline are those whom God is in the midst of and receive God’s blessing (Matt. 18:19–20). Elders serve the church in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and must maintain these principles without partiality (1 Timothy 5:20-21).