1. Welcome to First Baptist Church of Beloit

2. Welcome to First Baptist Church and thank you for your interest
Welcome to First Baptist Church and thank you for your interest. The church is in its 176th year of service to Christ and the community. We are seeking a dynamic and caring Senior Pastor to lead and walk with our congregation into the future.
The following pages will provide a broad overview of the church, its history, members, what we’d like to see in a pastor, and what we do not expect a pastor to do.
The final slide contains links to annex documents or organizations for more information on them.
Thanks for considering us!
Ed Hansen
Chair, Pulpit Committee

3. CONTENTS
History
Congregation Background
What You Can Expect to See
What We Do
Strengths and Challenges
What We Expect From a New Pastor
What We Do NOT Expect
Annexes and Links

4. History Overview
The church was formed in It proved fast-growing and constructed its first house of worship in 1847.
This structure suffered a tornado in 1883 and was destroyed by fire the following year. A new building was completed in 1885.
In 1925, needing more space, the church building was sold and replacement land purchased at the current location. The current building was completed in 1930 and a new entry with elevator service was completed in 1998.
In 2016, the church celebrated its 175th anniversary. A time capsule in the cornerstone was opened, and the treasures inside included many documents from the 1930 construction. Contents for a new time capsule are being gathered.
The building is known for its architectural points, including beautiful stained glass windows and Tudor accents on the second story.

5. The Congregation
Currently, some 330 people claim First Baptist Beloit as their home church. Of these, active attendance at weekly worship is between 55 and 85, with attendance on holidays as much as 115.
In late 2016, a survey of the congregants was performed (administered both on-line and via copies distributed on Sundays). The results paint a picture of our demographics:
38 of the survey respondents are over 55.
27 of the respondents indicated “retired” as their employment status.
Predominately white, with ten percent of the respondents indication minority racial affiliation.
We are active and committed members of the church as 28 respondents claim participation on one or more church committees and boards and 30 state they take a regular role in choir, bible study or other church activities other than worship.

6. What You Can Expect
Congregational Style
We are committed to participation in American Baptist Churches-USA and its Wisconsin Association, although this participation has not been activist
We are generally traditionalists, we expect our pastor to take a strong leadership role, but to work in cooperation with our boards.
We have taken strong stands on such issues as homelessness and hunger and are very involved in working with local partners on area needs.
Governance is through a strong board and committee structure. Our constitution was completely rewritten in 2016.
How Others See Us
We have a good relationship with local peers and other organizations in Beloit.
We enjoy a positive reputation with local government and other local churches.
Church Life
Youth Sunday School is offered, but we currently have no senior high students active
We offer a midweek, lay led bible study, but no midweek youth and children programming
There is a strong American Baptist Women’s (ABW) team, but no corresponding men’s group.

7. What We Do
We are very community and mission oriented. Among the activities in which we participate are:
Volunteer work at ABC of Wisconsin Camp Tamarack
Milwaukee Children’s Center
White Cross
Family Promise Shelter
Mushing for Meals (hosting services for this annual run/walk food mission fundraiser)
Sharing of the Breads (an annual interfaith luncheon)
Sparrow’s Nest Domestic Violence Shelter
Spaghetti dinners
And more

8. Strengths and Challenges
We Do These Well:
Caring members and friends
Welcoming to all
Music ministries: Choir and Bell Choir
Mission orientation
Bible Studies
Excellent facilities in good shape
Challenges:
Attracting younger families and singles
Outreach to neighbors, the unchurched and inactive members
Becoming comfortable to change and conflict

9. What We Expect From a New Senior Pastor
Maintain strong ties with our regional association, ABC of Wisconsin
Plan and lead Sunday worship, incorporating lay leadership. The congregation style is business attire, but a robe and stole are requested on suitable occasions.
Provide Pastoral Care, with visits to shut-ins, those in nursing homes and hospitals, utilize church members in these visits to the extent practicable.
Perform funeral memorials and weddings as needed.
Be able to make strong referrals for members who might require long term relational counseling or those with substance abuse issues.
Develop new programming to keep and attract members.
Work closely with our governing boards and committees.

10. What we do NOT Expect
Pastoral leadership is involved with, but not required to be responsible for the following:
Budget and financial management – Finance Committee responsibility
Marketing Communications
Community assessments and involvement – Missions Board responsibility
Conflict Management – Church Staff Relations Committee responsibility
Counseling: The pastor should be available for those in crisis, but we do not expect long term counseling services.
Mission, cross-cultural work - Diaconate and Missions Board has responsibility
Turning Vision into Reality - This is the role of the parishioners as a whole
Directing and Performing Music - The pastor does not supervise the Organist or Choir Director.
Ministry of the Laity - The pastor should motivate and support others in discovering their own call, but this is not the main priority

11. Annexes
Most Recent Annual Report and Budget
Constitution and Bylaws
175th Anniversary materials (Good history source)
Our last three pastors
Links
City of Beloit
American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin
ABC-USA

12. Thanks! First Baptist Church of Beloit 617 Public Avenue
Beloit, WI 53511
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