FAQs About First Christian Church Baton Rouge

(Please scroll to the very bottom for a video about the Christian Church (DOC) denomination!)

How large a church are you?

While we have over 800 members on our roster, we measure size 2 ways. Our average worship attendance since 2005 has been between 200 and 220. Our total number of participating members is closer to 300. This is the number of people who have either attended worship and/or one of our other programs over the past 6 months.
 

How would you describe your worship?

In general, we are “low church.” That is, we do not employ a great deal of liturgy. However, we do have communion every week and that is very important to us. We are seriously reverent, but we like to have fun too.

At our 8:30 a.m. service, our ministers preach from the floor and do not wear robes. The service is traditional but informal. Our 10:50 a.m. service is more likely to see our ministers in the pulpit with robes, but not necessarily. This service includes most of our children and youth, choir, and children’s message. Our new 6:10 Worship Experience is offered each time our Sunday Night Youth Group meets and includes a praise band and a "come as you are" attitude. Dress for this service is definitely casual. 

We hope you will find one of our three worship services meaningful and fulfilling!

Do I have to be a member to receive communion?

No. It is Jesus' invitation who brings each of us to the table.  All who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are invited to receive the bread and cup regardless of church affiliation or membership.

Does the church serve wine or grape juice?

Grape juice.

What kind of child care do you provide?

We are proud to offer both ample space for children from birth through age 6, as well as outstanding staff to care for them. Our four nursery attendants have all been trained in our Safe Church policy and all of them are trained in child and infant CPR. They not only provide quality care, they also offer modest programming (story time, games, and music).

Infants and children are also invited to stay in the sanctuary if they or their parent(s) wish.  We provide worship notebooks available for children ages 3 and older in the narthex and provide a children's moment during the 10:50 a.m. service. 

We hope to provide a community in which your family can worship however you choose.

How would you characterize your worship music?

In one word, varied. Our chancel choir, led by LSU graduate Chris Pyfrom, seeks to sing a blend of traditional and more contemporary anthems. Our Disciples Ringers bell choir performs at least quarterly. Our worship leadership team seeks to introduce the congregation to the occasioal unfamiliar hymn while making sure we still sing the “old favorites” as well. What’s important is that the hymns enhance the worship theme for the day.

Additionally, we have a men’s chorus, a women’s chorus, and we’ve also begun a brass choir as well. Annually, at both Easter and Christmas, Chris leads us in the performing of a cantata to which the congregation looks forward every year.

Our music at the 610 worship service is led by David Woo.  We offer contemporary praise music from a handful of musicians, including piano, guitar, drums and singing.

We hope that you will find a variety of music here at FCC, one of the many ways we can worship God together!

I'm interested, how do I get involved?

For more specific information on becoming involved with the ministries of the church, please go to the "What's Happening Now" page.

If you are interested in becoming a member of our congregation, we invite you to speak with one of the ministers.  We also offer an invitation to discipleship each time we worship.  We invite you to come forward during this time to make a commitment to this congregation in one of three ways: 1) transferring your membership from another congregation, 2) confessing faith in Jesus Christ for the first time and joining with our congregation to live out that life of faith, or 3) re-committing yourself to a life of faith, and to this congregation after making that promise long ago. 

Overall, we hope all God's children feel welcome at First Christian Church!