Frequently Asked Questions
We’re so glad you’ve interested in learning more about Second Baptist! Take a few minutes to browse our FAQs. We hope the information here will give you an opportunity to get to know Second Baptist better, and in the days ahead we hope to get to know you better, too.
Whether you are a first-time guest or have visited a few times, we want you to know a deepening level of belonging among us. This isn’t only because we want you to feel welcome at Second Baptist. This is because of our conviction that a deep level of belonging to Christ and Christ’s community will bring about holy transformation in your life, in our church, and around our world. Welcome to 2BC!
What kind of church is this?
Second Baptist Church is a congregation affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). CBF is a community of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission of Jesus Christ and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. CBF’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission. CBF’s vision is to be a national and global community bearing witness to the gospel in partnership with Christians across the nation and around the world. To learn more about the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, visit www.cbf.net.
CBF Heartland serves individuals and churches throughout Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota as they seek to fulfill their God-given purpose. To learn more about CBF Heartland, visit www.cbfheartland.org.
What can I expect on a typical Sunday?
It’s busy, with folks of all ages interacting with one another in programmed and casual gatherings. Move about the building, and you get a sense of just how varied the church can look at Second. Some regulars prefer committing to a Bible study class every Sunday, while others look forward to simply drinking coffee and chatting with old and new friends they may find in the Welcome Center. And, of course, some like arriving at the sanctuary early to sit in quiet reflection. Our pastor preaches at both services, but young and old among us are enlisted to read the day’s scriptures, pray, and sing.
We are a congregation that loves raising our voices in song. Music is vital to our worship. Our 9:00 service is more contemporary in nature, both in music and other worship experiences. The 11:00 service is traditional and includes our Sanctuary choir and much broader instrumentation.
Why am I asked to fill out a guest card?
So we can add an exclamation point to our initial hello! We feel blessed when someone new chooses to share their Sunday morning with us. In response, we like to let guests know how much their visits meant, and at the same time, provide the kind of welcoming information that might bring them back. All information is held in confidence, and we promise not to bombard with you with contact. If you prefer, register with us now as a guest of our congregation.
Where do my children go?
We have children’s Bible study classes every Sunday morning from 10-10:45 a.m. You will find the preschool suite on the second level. You can enter this area directly on the west side of the building off Franklin street.
Children’s classrooms are on the fourth level.
What’s going on for my teenager?
In our student ministry, we believe the more students can learn about their faith, the more it becomes rooted within them. Our small group discussion times are opportunities for students to learn more about the ways that the teachings of Jesus can impact their worldview each day. In order to emphasize this, we have small group discussions during our Sunday night Innermission time. Student ministries are located on the sixth floor.
We have student Bible study every Sunday morning from 10:00-10:45 a.m. We also meet most Sunday evenings from 5:30-8:00 pm. for Innermission (snack supper, games, worship, and small groups). Sign up below to receive the Student Ministry newsletter for details about activities for students.
Adult ministries other than worship
Adult discipleship is integrated into worship, spiritual and emotional growth, and service. At Second Baptist, you’ll find opportunities to deepen relationships through community groups, serving and volunteering with others who have similar interests, and a variety of social activities throughout the year. Want to know more? The best ways to get the latest news are to follow us on social media, sign-up for the e-newsletter, or visit the pages below for detailed information.
What do I wear?
Ask any of our teenagers or that eighty-year old fashionista in the Senior Adults Class, and they’ll tell you, almost anything in your closet goes to church these days. That’s Disney to Dior—maybe not so much Dior—but for sure, Levi Strauss, Chiefs jerseys, and those Princess dresses and Superhero outfits favored by the younger set. Not saying, you won’t see a three-piece suit sitting next to a polo shirt and Bermuda shorts or a group of minis, midis, and maxis worshiping in the same pew, but who cares! And should it happen you wear short sleeves when you should have worn long? Not to worry. There’s a basket of hand-knitted shawls in the back of the sanctuary. We welcome you to borrow one to keep you warm.
Where do I park?
We have parking lots on the northeast side of the church off Lightburne street and the Juvenile Justice Center lot off Kansas is designated to our use on Sundays. ADA designated parking can be found in the small parking lot on the east side of the church and on Franklin street on the west side of the building. Download PDF here.
What door do I come in?
Our Welcome Center is just inside the Kansas street entrance on the southeast side of the building. Greeters will be inside the Welcome Center and can help everyone find where they are going. We also invite you to share a cup of coffee and visit with us before or after services. Entrances on the south and west are ADA accessible.
I have some religious baggage. Is that okay?
If you’ve been hurt by the church, we are sorry. We are deeply saddened that the church has been a source of pain rather than a spiritual home. We hope that you’ll find healing at Second Baptist. We are imperfect imitators of Christ, but we have experienced God’s love in this community, and we hope that you will too.
You don’t need to think like us to find a home here. In fact, that would be impossible because we are diverse in our thinking about theology, doctrine, culture, and politics. What unites us is a desire to give and receive the love of Christ.
If you would like to talk with someone about an emotional, spiritual, or relational struggle, you’ll find contact information for our pastoral staff here. You may also find support through our Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministers are trained laypeople ready to listen, encourage, pray with you, and provide confidential Christian care to help you through whatever you might be facing. To learn more about Stephen Ministry, contact email info@2bcliberty.org or call 816-781-2824 and a Stephen Minister will be glad to answer your questions.
Can I receive communion?
Yes. Communion at Second Baptist Church is open to all who profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Our Communion Bread is always gluten-free.
What if I’m a little nervous about meeting new people?
You’re in good company. Many of us at Second Baptist feel nervous about meeting new people. Our community strives to make all feel welcome but not overwhelmed. We enjoy a low-key greeting when we enter the church and a moment to say hello to those seated near us at the beginning of the service. We appreciate the Worship Guide that leads us through the order of service, spelling out the congregational response to prayers and readings. Sometimes, we take a moment during the service to share a handshake with those around us as an offer of Christ’s peace. That’s as gregarious as we get, and you won’t be pressured to participate in anything outside your comfort zone.
We value deep listening and contemplation, focused thinking, and quiet leadership. We foster these gifts through extended moments of silent worship at each service. We offer two Sunday services with distinct “flavors” to meet the needs of various personality types. You might feel most comfortable in the 9:00 contemporary acoustic service. Or you might prefer to spread out at the 11:00 service, where you may even choose to participate from the balcony.
If you’d like a better idea of what to expect, you can view an 11:00 service here.
I want to watch/listen to a service.
What if I'm interested in membership?
We welcome all to become members of this church during the Hymn of Response or by privately contacting one of the pastors at any time.
Membership can happen in a variety of ways: you can make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized; you can affirm your previous profession of faith and the meaningfulness of your Christian baptism; or you can have us request a letter of transfer from another church.
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