Inside First Baptist Church Jacksonville

[Dan B]

^ Just adding the part of the history that MetroJax's article left out. It seems to have been added now, or perhaps I missed it when I first read it.

[Doctor_K]

Much-needed paradigm shift?

[PJparker]

"Since First Baptist Chruch takes up so much of downtown; can anyone tell me in it's defense, what contributions it makes to the community it sits in?"
I would like to know that also.  I see on their website giving to the Baptist ministry and missionary efforts, but what about the homeless, the helpless and the sick?

[heights unknown]

As I mentioned in another thread regarding this Church, when I was in the Navy, I once experienced financial hardship and went to First Baptist Church for help; at the time I was tithing to them, I wasn't a member mind you, but was tithing to them.  When I went to the person that could help, she looked at me like I was a cancerous sore, didn't even investigate into my situation, and told me that they couldn't help with such situations.  I didn't get bitter, but I did quit tithing to that Church.  That was in the past.

Great Church and I attended a few times while living in Jacksonville though it was not my membership Church. In the early 70's, there were very few black members, and then into the 80's the black membership rose significantly.  I think they now have a healthy black membership.

It's kind of weird how the two Lindsey's died within days of each other.  I get the feeling that this was an act of God; maybe Homer was trying to keep all out power of pastoral leadership away from Doctor Vines; this is my best guess and assessment; him dying suddenly and then his Son dies suddenly right after him.  No one will ever tell for sure what was going on but it appeared that there was a power tug of war going on between Homer Linsey and Jerry Vines, moreso on the side of Doctor Lindsey.

Only God Knows.

"HU"

[thelakelander]

To me it seems the church has too much property.  While on the tour, it was clear the amount of space in possession was developed for a much larger congregation.  Imo, the church should consider consolidating many of the programs it has spread out over 11 blocks and leasing out or selling the additional left over space.

[heights unknown]

Stephendare said:  "Its a new age, I think and as the mean old quasi political guys are dying off, there seems to be a new younger generation that is more in line with the values traditionally associated with faith and spirituality."

I don't know what "values traditionally associated with faith and spirituality" means.  I hope they don't throw God and the Bible out the window and embrace worldly views along with new age and worldly spiritualism practices.  This would be a big mistake (my opinion and I won't elaborate on it so please don't ask).

"HU"

[sheclown]

debt free, amazing.

[coredumped]

When I went on the church tour, this church was the only one with armed security:

[hansbronson]

I've been a member of First Baptist since Nov. of 93 and have seen alot of changes over the past 16 years. Under Dr. Lindsay the church grew at a rapid pace. The annual Pastors Conference in Feb. was allways packed out to the point that they had an overflow location in the Ruth Lindsay Auditorium. Dr. Lindsay knew that he was called to be a Pastor, thats why unless he was sick he was allways in the pulpit. Every Sunday in the bulletin the amount of money given to the church in tithes and offerings was allways published. Now jump to 2010. The church is experiencing a decline in attendance and tithes and offerings. Members have no ideal how much money was given for the chest of Joash or Lottie Moon offering. Alot of things are kept secret from the members now. Most of you know about what the church did to the blogger, but some of you might not know that this Pastor was asked to be on a committee about crime but the Times-Union reported that Brunson only showed up for 2 out of the 8 meetings and just in the last 2 months the Times-Union did a series on downtown and some of the churches that are downtown and Brunson declinded to be interviewed for the story. I'm sorry to say but this preacher has not united the church but has divided it. This preacher has been out of the pulpit more in his 4 years here than both Drs. Lindsay and Vines combined during the last 16 years. Brunson has a tendency to take alot of "mission trips" overseas, this month his "mission trip" is to the Danube. Ain't GOD good.

[uga_jax]

Coredumped: I was going to mention about their security.  Yes, all security persons carry handguns.  I work at a hospital and even our own security can't carry any type of weapon.  The number of loco folks who enter EDs at area hospitals would outnumber those entering religious establishments.

Growing up in the Protestant Bible belt of Middle GA, it always seemed that every 10 years or so a Baptist congregation will split on some issue within the church resulting in the party that opposes leaving and starting their own Baptist church in town.  I swear, I see more Baptist churches in the South than any other denomination.  I guess I have to give my background for making a post on this topic.  I grew up First Methodist and converted to Catholicism before marriage.

[fsujax]

Nice story. I love my church. Thanks for sharing. Don't forget the church also has a South Campus located in Ponte Vedra, so many members who use to come Downtown now go to the south campus, the church is still doing just fine. Wednesday night attendance is no where near what Sunday morning attendance is.

[heights unknown]

HU.  (huh?)

Faith and Spirituality don't seem like they need an explanation, Pvt me if you must or read the link provided.  (The pastor offered you a ticket to the conference, if you remember).  Your fear seems a bit hysterical.  It is also not showing any signs of becoming a car dealership or a tool and dye factory either.

You did post your experience in the other thread as well.  It sounds like you need to come to some internal healing for the experience.   Im not sure how you should do that, but perhaps contacting the pastor would be a great start.

I wasn't dissing the Church Stephendare, just reposting in case someone missed it.  I did say "that was back then," which means it's all past now and I've moved on (maybe I should have explained).

Quit judging (judging Stephen); no, I don't need healing; I've forgiven but not totally forgot because if you are a christian, you will help with no strings attached.  I understand the offer that was made and am appreciative of that, that one member reached out for so called "healing" on my part and gratitude on his part.  That doesn't mean ALL of the Church is the same as he, but, I will treat all as though they are like him if I ever meet them.

I don't need to private you Stephen; maybe I should have explained myself better; these days faith and spirituality, in general, have a different meaning; it can mean new age, satanism, or something else.  If you're talking faith and spirituality relative to God and Christ, then I agree and forgive me.

Drink a cup of coffee Stephen.

"HU"

[heights unknown]

Well considering you have taken every opportunity to regurgitate your experience with the one person, as an outsider, it certainly seems like its still bothering you.

When something still hurts, you should try and heal it man.

Well you're wrong Stephen; yeah "IT SEEMS" as you say, and seems, and seems. And it has HEALED MAN.  So please sir let's drop the subject, eat your grits, and drink some coffee.  I can post my feelings as often as I wish (if I don't hurt or disrespect anyone).  I don't think I stepped on First Baptist's toes, and if I did, then they need healing; it was you whose toes I think I stepped on.  So let's please drop this subject.  Thank you MAN.

"HU"

[sutajax]

Coredumped: I was going to mention about their security.  Yes, all security persons carry handguns. 

I worked for the FBCJAX security for a while and I can tell you most assuredly they do not carry handguns, some that have had special training have defensive weapons like ASP batons or pepper spray but no one is armed. There are several JSO officers that work officially sanctioned by the Sheriffs Office and are paid by the church to provide traffic and security when the church is having services or programs and as such are armed law enforcement officers, but employees of FBCJAX are not.

SJ

[heights unknown]

By the way, I was born in Jacksonville, lived in Jacksonville as a child, lived in Jacksonville over 70% of my 20 year Naval Career, and left Jacksonville in 1995; I'm hardly an outsider.  I know Jacksonville like the back of my hand (it's changed some but not by much). I still visit each year sometimes more than twice.  Thanks.

"HU"