About Us
About Us
First Methodist Church has been a part of the Bay Minette community since 1874. Our church building is in the heart of Bay Minette, in view of the Baldwin County Courthouse, and we are connected to our city through several ministries, non-profit partners, and civic engagements.
As part of the Global Methodist Church, our mission is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly.” FMC has something for all ages and believe the church is at its best when all the generations are engaged in the Mission of God. We all have a purpose and a place in the Kingdom of God.
Our church has a warm, small town feel combined with a vibrant congregation and ample opportunities for individuals and families to grow in their faith and their connection with others.
We would love for you to visit us and would welcome you to be a part of our church family! If you have questions, reach out to info@fmcbayminette.org.
What We Believe
The Authority of Scripture
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and it contains everything we need to know about salvation. Our beliefs flow from Scripture and we seek to align our lives with God’s Word on all issues.
The Trinity
We believe in the Apostle’s Creed and let it state our core beliefs as Christians. We believe in the Trinity, one God in Three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God exists in perfect union and harmony and is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son, we can have peace with God and we can enjoy a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.
The Grace of God
No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. It is available to every person because “Christ died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Nothing can hold us back from the love of God – our sins, mistakes, things that have happened to us, even death – NOTHING can separate us from God’s love. Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” When we confess our sins and put our trust in Christ, we receive God’s grace and can take the first step in our spiritual journey.
Spiritual Formation
We believe that salvation is more than a decision; it is a process. We emphasize spiritual formation, which Robert Mulholland defined in his book Invitation to a Journey as “the process of being formed into the image of Christ for the sake of others.” Throughout our Christian journey, the Holy Spirit shapes us and molds us into the character of Christ so that we can be a blessing to others around us. Our church believes in the power of prayer and other spiritual practices like reading Scripture, serving others, and receiving Communion, which draw us closer to Jesus. As our love for God grows, our love for other people should grow, too. We show love to others by serving and extending care, mercy, and forgiveness the way God loved us.
Missional Life
We believe that God made every one of us with a unique purpose and calling to be a part of God’s mission in the world. The Holy Spirit has given each of us gifts to share with others for the good of the Church. God has placed us where we are for a reason- to show others God’s love where we live, work, and play. The Church is the Bride of Christ and is God’s chosen vessel for bringing the Good News of salvation to the world. Being a part of a church is essential for spiritual formation because we were made for relationships and we need community to grow in our faith.
Sacraments
First Methodist Church celebrates two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.
Baptism is an initiation into life in Christ. It represents the cleansing of sins and the burial of our old life as we step into new life in Christ. It is a declaration that we are marked by the Holy Spirit as followers of Jesus. We celebrate baptism of infants as well as believers because baptism is about God’s grace.
Holy Communion is a sacred moment in which we receive God’s grace in the presence of the gathered people of God. We confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and receive the Good News of Jesus Christ together at the Table. We believe that Christ is spiritually present in the bread and grape juice as we remember his death and resurrection. First Methodist Church celebrates Communion every first Sunday of the month in our 10:00 service and every week at our Wednesday Night Chapel service at 5:15. We believe in an “open table,” which means that all are welcome to receive Communion. You do not have to be a member of the Methodist Church to receive. You do not have to clean up your life before you receive. All you need an open heart and the desire to love God and love your neighbor.
Global Methodist Church
We are proud to be a part of the Global Methodist Church, and as such we adhere to the Global Methodist Book of Doctrines & Discipline. To learn more about the Global Methodist Church please click the link below.
There’s a Place for You!
We believe that the Gospel is for everyone, and our church is welcome to people of all ages, nations, races, abilities, and genders. Christ has destroyed the barriers that would divide us. We are all made in God’s image and people of infinite worth. We are all invited to follow Jesus. We would love the opportunity to welcome you and find out how you can plug into the life of First Methodist Church.