Values

We seek to embody the sense of compassion, fellowship, warmth, and acceptance we see in the life of Jesus, recognizing the image of God in every person, especially the stranger.  All of our gatherings for worship, service, prayer, study, and fellowship are open to any and every person. We honor each person’s journey into the person God has made you to be.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (from the book of Hebrews 13:1-3)

We recognize that all people are created by God and deserve dignity, honor, and respect. We affirm and welcome the gifts and talents of all people.  In these way, we desire to stir up waves of welcome and wonder.  In 2023, we adopted this official policy to properly reflect our long-standing practice: “Providence Baptist Church is a congregation open to the imagination of the Holy Spirit which relationally affirms God’s love within the complex mosaic of all human diversity.  In all facets of the life and ministry of our church, including but not limited to membership, baptism, ordination, marriage, teaching, and committee/organizational leadership, Providence Baptist Church will not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, marital status, age, physical or mental ability, economic circumstance or place of origin.”

Then Simon Peter began to speak, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears God and does what is right.” (Simon Peter, as quoted in the Acts of the Apostles 10:34-35)

We imitate the practice of Jesus in connecting with people outside of the religious assembly. We follow Jesus to other cultures and communities, sharing the love of God in physical, social, and spiritual ways. At all times and in all ways, we want to sing for joy and live with hope.

What does God require of you, but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God? (Micah the prophet, in the Prophecy of Micah 6:8)

We emphasize spiritual formation and growth in Christian living through spiritual practices such as prayer, study, service, and observance of the Christian calendar.

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (from the Gospel of Luke 2:52)

We have adopted the phrase “Sacred and Simple.” We aspire to be a community of healing and renewal.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. Love does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. Lobe does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love also protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (Paul the Apostle, in the First Letter to Corinth 13:4-7)

Worship is central to our congregational life. We invoke God as creator, Jesus as savior, and Spirit as empowering presence through our silence, singing, praying, scripture reading, and gospel preaching.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. come before God with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is God who made us and we belong to God. We are the people of God, the sheep of the Lord’s pasture. Enter the gates with thanksgiving and the courts of God with praise. Give thanks to God and praise the Lord. For the Lord is good and the love of God endures for ever. God’s faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)