Southern Baptist Convention Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! === Worship === [[File:Easter 2016 Worship Service At Grace Baptist Church Knoxville, Tennessee.jpg|222x222px|thumb|right| [[Worship service (evangelicalism)|Worship service]] at Grace Baptist Church in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], affiliated to the convention, 2016]] [[File:First Baptist Church worship.jpg|thumb|349x349px|[[First Baptist Church of Jacksonville|First Baptist Church]] of [[Jacksonville, Florida]] worship service.]] Most members observe a [[low church]] form of [[Christian worship|worship]], which is less formal and uses no stated [[liturgy]]. The form of the worship services generally depend on whether the congregation uses a traditional service or a contemporary one, or a mix of both—the main differences being with regards to music and the response to the sermon. In both types of services, there will be a prayer at the opening of the service, before the sermon, and at closing. Offerings are taken, which may be around the middle of the service or at the end (with the increased popularity of electronic financial systems, some churches operate kiosks allowing givers the opportunity to do so online, or through a phone app or website link). Responsive Scripture readings are not common, but may be done on a special occasion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shoemaker |first=Stephen |date=2013-04-11 |title=An Overview of Worship in the Southern Baptist Convention |url=https://www.worshiplibrary.com/blog/an-overview-of-worship-in-the-southern-baptist-convention/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128081853/https://www.worshiplibrary.com/blog/an-overview-of-worship-in-the-southern-baptist-convention/ |archive-date=2022-11-28 |access-date=2023-05-06 |website=WorshipLibrary |language=en}}</ref> In a traditional service, the music generally features hymns, accompanied by a piano or organ (the latter has been generally phased out due to a shift in worship preferences) and sometimes with a special featured soloist or choir. Smaller churches generally let anyone participate in the choir regardless of actual singing ability; larger churches will limit participation to those who have successfully tried out for a role. After the sermon, an invitation to respond (sometimes termed an [[altar call]]) might be given; people may respond during the invitation by receiving [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] as Lord and Savior and beginning Christian discipleship, seeking baptism or requesting to join the congregation, or entering into vocational ministry or making some other publicly stated decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-04-04 |title=A theological perspective on the 'invitation/altar call' |url=https://www.baptistmessenger.com/a-theological-perspective-on-the-%e2%80%98invitationaltar-call%e2%80%99/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Baptist Messenger of Oklahoma |language=en-US}}</ref> Baptisms may be scheduled on specific weekends, or (especially in buildings with built-in baptisteries) be readily available for anyone desiring baptism. In a contemporary service, the music generally features modern songs led by a praise team or similarly named group with featured singers. Choirs are not as common. An altar call may or may not be given at the end; if it is not, interested persons are directed to seek out people in the lobby who can address any questions. Baptismal services are usually scheduled as specific and special events. Also, church membership is usually done on a periodic basis by attending specific classes about the church's history, beliefs, what it seeks to accomplish, and what is expected of a prospective member. Controversially, a member may be asked to sign a "membership covenant", a document that has the prospective member promise to perform certain tasks (regular church attendance both at main services and small groups, regular giving—sometimes even requiring tithing, and service within the church). Such covenants are highly controversial: among other things, such a covenant may not permit a member to voluntarily withdraw from membership to avoid church discipline or, in some cases, the member cannot leave at all (even when not under discipline) without the approval of church leadership.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Church Membership Covenants – Legal Contracts that are NOT Biblical! {{!}} The Wartburg Watch 2020|url=http://thewartburgwatch.com/permpage-church-membership-covenants-legal-contracts-that-are-not-biblical/|access-date=2020-07-22|website=thewartburgwatch.com|date=April 19, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> A Dallas/Fort Worth church was forced to apologize to a member who attempted to do so for failing to request permission to annul her marriage after her husband admitted to viewing child pornography.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/may-web-only/matt-chandler-apologizes-for-village-churchs-decision-to-di.html|title=Former Member Accepts Acts 29 Megachurch Apology in Church Discipline Case|first=Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, Morgan Lee, and Bob|last=Smietana|website=ChristianityToday.com|date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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