Q: What is the Equipping Hour
A: The Equipping Hour are several different classes with different topics for adults and youth 7th-12th grades. The classes meet after our morning services and will focus on learning the knowledge and skills needed to do the work of ministry.
Q: Will you baptize my baby?
A: No, but we will dedicate your child to the Lord. We believe that baptism is for those who wish to make a public declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is not necessary for someone to go to heaven. The forgiveness of sins is the only requirement to gain access to heaven. This forgiveness has been offered freely to all through the sacrifice Jesus made when He died on the cross. Baptism is something we do because Jesus has asked us to do it to identify us with Him. It shows the world that we have passed from death to life because of our faith in Jesus. In the Bible we do not see babies being
baptized, what we do see is children being dedicated to God. () We have a dedication service a couple times a year or as requested by parents. For more information
contact a pastor.
Q: How often do you have communion?
A: The Bible teaches us to practice communion until Christ returns. It does not instruct us on how often that should happen. Our intention is to do this regularly but not to often that it becomes routine or repetitious, so we observe communion about 8 times per year. Communion is a time to remember Christ death in our place, it is a time to consider whether we are living appropriately for Christ, and a time to look forward to His return. The elements of communion whether bread, cracker, grape juice or wine; simply represent Christ’s body bruised and beaten and His blood shed in our place. We welcome anyone in attendance who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for salvation to join us in communion whether a member of our church or not.
Q: Are you part of a denomination?
A: No, Salem is an independent, non-denominational church. We have a board of Elders who are elected by the members to govern and make decisions for the church. Large decisions like hiring another pastor, expanding buildings and the yearly
budget are brought to the congregation for a vote at congregational meetings held twice a year.
Q: How do you make decisions as a church?
A: We entrust our board of Elders to make decisions on most items, we also have elected deacons who take care of many of the physical aspects of our ministries. The elders have also entrusted various committees to make decisions and report back to the Elder board. For instance there is a Salem Christian School committee, a missions committee and a benevolence committee.