Why are you called "Salisbury Bible
Fellowship"?
We chose to name our church in a way that
reflects what we’re all about. The Bible is not just a book of rules.
It isn’t about empty religion. It gives beneficial principles for
living. It tells us about God’s love and his desire for us to relate
to him on a deeply personal level. It’s his message to us. And because
the Bible is central to what we believe, what we do, and who we are, we
felt confident in making it central in our name as well. Life is about
relating to God on a personal level. We also need to relate to other
people in the context of love, caring, acceptance, and truth. So,
our name reflects fellowship– defined as a body, or community
of individuals joined together by a common bond and a shared vision–
because this is how we want to describe ourselves as a church, now and
in the future.
What do you believe?
One of our strong convictions is that what
truly defines a church is not simply its doctrine (the theological
tenets it adheres to), but its values.
How would you describe SBF?
Some common reasons people have for not
participating in a church are:
-The services are boring.
-The sermons are irrelevant to real life.
-The music is outdated.
-Churches are only interested in asking for money.
-The pastor makes me feel guilty or ignorant.
-People in churches are not interested in the problems of the real
world, and they make me feel like an outsider.
We try very hard to overcome these barriers and
negative stereotypes that people have.
We're not "pushy" and would never want
anyone who visits to be uncomfortable in any way. But we've
been described many times by visitors as a friendly church, one
where they could readily sense a real warmth and welcoming
attitude. We think you'll discover this for yourself when you
visit.
We strive to be relevant. Simply put, we think that as you attend or become involved in
church, it should be something that you find meaningful and that you can
relate to your life. The messages are practical, and you don't
have to be a rocket scientist to understand what's being said. But
they are rooted in deep biblical truths, truths that inspire you toward
an understanding of God and how your life can reflect his plan for
you. The music is varied and the style is contemporary. We
also employ creative elements in our services, such as drama and video
to help drive home the message we're communicating. We want to
capture your attention and engage people of the 21st century with a
timeless message that can make a difference in your life. We're
not the "usual thing" that many people think of when they
think of church.
We maintain an informal atmosphere.
We want people to feel like they can check out our church in a
non-threatening environment and not feel pressured to conform to some
man-made religious mold. There's no dress code. You can come
to church dressed casually. Come just as you are. While
we're informal, however, we don't ever want to be mediocre or apathetic
about church. We want to take seriously the implications of what
the local church should be and do. At the same time, we never want
people to feel that they are walking into an uncomfortable,
"stuffy" environment to which they can't relate.
Is Salisbury Bible Fellowship affiliated with
some denomination or association?
We're an autonomous church, independent of
any control by a denominational hierarchy. What this means is, no matter what your background, you are welcomed
here. We don't like labels. We certainly wouldn't want denominational labels to distract anyone from the
main focus– the essential beliefs
of biblical Christian faith, relevant and vital for us today. We want
our message to be understandable to those without a church background.
And we want the goals we strive for to be based, not on church
traditions or denominational distinctives, but on those things which are
of greatest significance– moving people into a genuine relationship
with God, growing in their faith, sharing their faith, serving in faith,
making a difference.
How long has Salisbury Bible Fellowship been in
existence?
Since the late 1970's, but in recent
years, SBF has experienced a renewed sense of
vision and purpose. In some ways, it has become a new church,
gradually making necessary changes, trying to always be a better church,
one with a passion for God, devotion to one another, and compassion for
everyone, especially people who are still uncertain about how God may
relate to their own lives.
What is the role of the pastor/ church staff?
The role of the pastor is to equip the people of
the church for ministry. One of our core
values states our strong belief that every
member is to be a minister, not just the staff. The pastor does have a
unique role in communicating a vital vision, helping us focus on what
our church needs to be in order to fulfill our God-given purpose.
But rather than
being dominated and held together in every way by the pastor, the church
always works best
and is at its strongest when all members consider personal and positive
involvement in ministry a priority, and are actively using their gifts
(spiritual gifts, abilities, distinctives) to share the Good News and to
build up the church as a whole. Every Christ-follower is called to be
someone who makes a difference in their world.
I have lots of questions about
the Christian faith. I'm not sure I'm ready yet to become a
Christ-follower, but I'd like to know more about it. Can I ask
about these spiritual issues without feeling threatened?
First of all, you can be assured that your questions will be taken
seriously, and that you never need to feel embarrassed or uneasy about
asking them. Life is a journey, a journey of discovery. It's
no different when it comes to understanding, knowing, and following
God. You don't have to have it all figured out to set out on that
journey of discovery.
There are several avenues you can take:
You can visit one of our services
on Sunday morning. We think you'll feel comfortable, yet
inspired and encouraged. And keep coming, because we view each
Sunday morning service as a piece of the puzzle, where over time you can
explore more about God and your spiritual life, and get a sense of what
a life that relates to him is all about.
If you attend a Sunday morning service, and want
to ask questions about your own spiritual life, or discuss something
that peaked your interest that day, please feel free to talk to one of
the staff or a member of SBF. Don't ever
feel like you're interrupting or that perhaps your question is too
insignificant to ask.
We also have a Communication Card that you receive
each Sunday morning. You can use that card to let us know how we
can help you, how we can pray for you, how we can answer your questions,
inquire about some other facet of SBF, or even tell us a little about
yourself. Just fill it out and return it following the service.
We can recommend a small
group that will make you feel welcome and help you explore God and
the Bible.
Right here on our web site, you can explore some
common spiritual
questions people have. Maybe the information provided on these
pages will give you some further insights related to you own search for
faith.
Above all, don't neglect your spiritual
life. Start that journey of discovery today, even if you begin by
taking small steps.
I want to get involved in the
life of the church, not just attend on Sunday mornings. What are
some opportunities for me?
There are lots of ways you can become more active at SBF.
Here are some ideas:
Learning and Growth Opportunities:
Small Groups
(Also check out "Getting
Connected")
Serving
Opportunities
What about baptism?
Baptism is a symbol of new life in Jesus Christ. In a way, it's a
sign of identification with him as a Christ-follower.
Periodically, usually about once a year, we let people know about
such an opportunity. If you are a Christ-follower (it
doesn't matter how long you've been) and are interested in being
baptized or just want to find out what it's all about, contact the
senior pastor, Lee Webb at 410-546-1522 or via e-mail: lee@salisburybible.org
or info@salisburybible.org.
He will set up a time with you to discuss the significance of baptism as
well as the logistics of it.
What about church membership?
Some churches practice formal church membership,
and others do not. We feel it is helpful for the following reasons:
