We are members of the Southern Baptist Convention. That means that we agree to use a portion of our offerings in agreement with other Baptist churches to support the work of missions throughout the world.
The individual congregations are in charge of their own church. Every Southern Baptist church is an autonomous, independent, self-governing body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ. Southern Baptists elect a President of the Convention each year at the convention and it is his/her responsibility to appoint individuals to serve on various boards (seminaries, radio and TV commission, historical commission, mission boards, etc.)
Yes. Southern Baptists are as diverse as the colors in a Crayola box.
The local church would be the body that decides to license and ordain a woman to the gospel ministry. For the majority of our churches, men would be the pastors. Depending on the geographical location of the church and the theological bent of the congregation, ordaining a woman would be acceptable and applauded while in other churches it would not be a consideration.
It depends on the conviction of the local congregation concerning their views of the role of a woman. At Del Norte, we do not have women who serve as deacons.
Theologically conservative, welcoming of all persons, regardless of race, creed or gender, liberal in grace, stingy with condemnation and judgment. It is a church with all sorts of folks who are committed to learning how to follow Jesus Christ and to grow in their spiritual journey with God. Del Norte is not a political church in that it is not active in the politics of the convention. Our congregation seeks to determine God’s plan for its future, without interference or influence from the Southern Baptist Convention.
A pastor search committee is typically elected from the membership of the congregation. They will contact seminaries, state conventions, as well as enlisting the assistance of fellow members for the collecting of resumes. It is the responsibility of each church to find the individual to lead the congregation and present that person to the congregation for their approval.
We baptize by total immersion in water. We believe this mode best pictures an individual laying down, as if in a grave, to their old way of living, and being raised up to represent their new life in Jesus Christ. At Del Norte, if an individual has been baptized in another Christian church after their confession of faith in Christ by being sprinkled or poured, their baptism is not accepted. They are asked to be baptized by immersion before they may become a member of the church.
No. Baptists practice believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism. While infant baptism conveys well the sense that salvation is not dependent upon what we do but on what God has done for us, it fails to convey the full respect of God for human freedom. God does not force faith upon anyone. Infants and children are nurtured and encouraged in the faith until such age as the child can make a personal commitment. We involve the child, the parents, godparents, extended family and congregation in a service of child dedication. This meaningful service of blessing and commitment is conducted during regular worship services.
We offer the Lord’s Supper once a quarter. It is always an integral part of our worship service. We use unleavened wafers and grape juice.
No, the only criterion for participating in the Lord’s Supper is that an individual is a disciple of Jesus Christ.
No. Our folks dress all sorts of ways, from suits to shorts.
The Pastor preaches from the New International Version. The pew Bibles are also the New International Version. We encourage individuals to bring their own personal Bibles to worship and they use a myriad of translations.
We have ample parking on site, and some reserved guest spaces near the entrance.
We would not use the word “allow” because it signifies that we have someone standing at the door deciding who can and cannot come into God’s house, which we do not. DNBC is God’s church and anyone is welcome at anytime.
No. We do not believe homosexuality to be a biblical lifestyle and therefore, we would not support such a union.