FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. When I visit, where should I enter the church building?
A. There are three primary entrances to the church, any of which can be used to get to the same place. Many people park in the main parking lot and enter the doors under the canopy which faces Granby Street. Some people park in the lot behind the Masonic Lodge and enter the front doors of the sanctuary which face Brackenridge Avenue. There are also doors leading from the gravel parking area along Colonial Avenue. The Colonial Avenue entrance is the closest to the nursery.
Q. Is the church building handicap accessible?
A. Yes. All the main gathering spaces of the church are on the ground level, including the sanctuary, the chapel, the social hall, and the church offices. The sanctuary has reserved space amongst the pews designed to accommodate wheelchairs that meets ADA guidelines. There is also an elevator that provides access to the second and third floors of the education building.
Q. Is there a nursery available?
A. Yes. Every Sunday morning during worship, we have a capable group of volunteers who watch children age three and younger. These volunteers follow a specific safety and security protocol to make sure each child is well-protected. Children of any age are also welcomed in worship at any time.
Q. I've heard lots of weird things about Baptists. What do you believe?
A. Many people have perceptions of Baptists as preaching "hellfire and damnation" or being overly concerned with legalistic issues like drinking or dancing. That is not what you will find at Talbot Park Baptist Church. Our foundational belief is that Jesus Christ died and rose again. That is what inspires our worship and our way of life. Unlike many other denominations, we do not have a creed to which we adhere. Each individual is free to believe as they choose. As those who hold to the classic Baptist practices of the priesthood of the believer and the autonomy of the local church, we do not expect doctrinal conformity or agreement on every issue. In fact, we appreciate that we hold a wide spectrum of opinions and still manage to serve together. We also advocate strongly for the separation of church and state. Because we believe that God can work through anyone, we affirm both men and women in leadership roles within the congregation.
Q. What if I don't fit in?
A. No matter your age, gender, race, status, beliefs, or ethnicity, you will be welcome at Talbot Park. Many of our current members grew up in Baptist churches but a large percentage came from other denominations and joined us along the way. Among our fellowship, we have former Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Methodists, Catholics, and Pentecostals, to name a few, as well as people who have no faith background at all. We have people of all educational levels and political persuasions. We believe that our diversity gives us a deeper and richer experience of faith.
Q. What time does the worship service begin?
A. 10:00 a.m., every Sunday morning. Most of our worship services last about an hour.
Q. What is the style of worship at Talbot Park?
A. We like to describe our worship style at Talbot Park as eclectic. We sing both hymns and praise songs. From week to week, you might hear an organ, a harp, guitar, bells, piano, or a violin as part of worship. There are times of prayer and Scripture reading. There is also a sermon every Sunday that is grounded in Scripture and connected to our everyday lives. On the first Sunday of each month, we celebrate the Lord's Supper, which is open to anyone who joins us.
Q. What should I wear?
A. Some people in our congregation wear suits or dresses. Some wear more casual clothing. No matter what you wear, you will be welcomed as you are.
Q. What should I bring?
A. Just yourself, for starters. You might want to bring a Bible along, if you have one. An offering is collected as part of each worship service, but no one will pressure you to give.
Q. How do I join in the work of Talbot Park?
A. It's easy. Just show up! We want everyone to be a part of what God is doing among us, even if you've only been here a short time. Everyone is invited to participate and serve within the life of the church according to their gifts and passions. For those who wish to formally become a member of Talbot Park, you may contact the pastor. You can transfer your membership from another church, join by statement, or join by baptism. The only "prerequisite" for membership is a confessed belief in Jesus Christ and baptism.
