Baptist church services are known for having the basic types of services in Christian churches today. They are among the most simply scheduled. They still held on to the practices of the good old days. Many people prefer this simpler style of service so it is important to understand a typical service in a Baptist church.
There are generally three main portions of the baptist service, which do not include things like communion, etc. The main parts include prayer requests, hymns and the actual baptist sermon. Let us discuss each main part in detail:
1. Prayer Requests – Members of the church that are present can speak up and ask for their close family and friends, or anyone to be remembered when the prayer is said (which follows right after the prayer request). This is part of the Baptist church services that is almost more important than in other Christian services. A deacon of the church takes the requests. It can sometimes take up to 20 minutes to take everyone’s requests. The Baptists feel this is important because prayer is the personal communication with God.
2. Hymns – Singing of hymns is one of the major parts of the baptist church services of today. The typical service opens and closes with a few hymns from the traditional Christian hymn book. There are also a few that are sung by those who want to sing before the sermon itself. Hymns are a way for the Baptists to allow God to hear them worshipping. There is often a chorus of church members and several individual singers who grace the church with their hymns. Unlike other denominations, baptist churches held on to the traditional singing of praise.
3. Sermon – The baptist sermons come between the prayer request and the closing hymn. The topic for the sermon is chosen by the preacher or pastor and it can last from half an hour to an hour. Most preachers have the propensity of going with what they feel they need to say rather than a manuscript of a written sermon in front of them. The sermon is often very emotionally charged and quite exciting. A sermon is an integral part of baptist church services just like it is with any other type of church and it is something that the members look forward to every time they attend church.
Each part that makes up the church service is an important motivational factor for its members. It is what draws them towards the church and worshipping God. It is what keeps them there, it is what strengthens their loyalty and it is what encourages their participation. It becomes their medium in fostering good relationship with God.