Pantops Community Church - Charlottesville, Virginia

A Different Kind of Baptist

When Baptists make the news, it doesn’t always go well. But don’t judge all Baptists by the actions of some. We know it can be difficult for Christians who resonate with moderate Baptist or progressive Baptist theology to find a home in a Baptist church. However, we seek to be an open and welcoming place where all can encounter God, explore their faith, and be accepted into community no matter their denomination. It is our Baptist faith that helps us to do just that!

Baptists were some of the first advocates in this country for religious liberty and freedom. They longed for followers of Christ to be able to practice their faith without narrow dogmas and creeds being imposed on the people. We seek to live into that valuable Baptist legacy while distancing ourselves from Baptists that practice a more restrictive and narrow view of God, faith, and humanity.

Baptist Rituals at PCC

At Pantops, we observe two practices that are an important part of our faith: Baptism and Communion.

Baptism – As Baptists, we practice believer’s baptism by immersion; meaning that we baptize persons who profess a faith in Jesus Christ. That is the practice that we feel best illustrates the meaning of baptism in scripture. At the same time, we recognize and celebrate that God works faith in our lives in many ways and through many communities. We do not require rebaptism for persons joining our church from another Christian denomination in which they were baptized and confirmed.
Communion – We typically practice communion quarterly by passing the bread and juice from one to another, symbolizing the priesthood of all believers. At PCC, communion is open to all who desire to share in a meal of fellowship celebrating Jesus’ love and the fact that there is always an extra place at his table.

Key Baptist Beliefs

From Walter Shurden's "The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms"

The freedom of God to continue revealing God’s self. Each person has the freedom and right to read and interpret Scripture through the lens of Jesus Christ, in community, and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Every person has the right and responsibility to deal with God directly, to interpret scripture, and to determine God’s call upon their life in partnership with the Holy Spirit and the local church.

The freedom of the church to, under the direction of God, determine their membership and leadership, to order their worship and work, to ordain whom they perceive as called to ministry, and to participate in the larger Body of Christ. This is sometimes known as the ‘autonomy of the local church'.

Everyone should be able to practice religion or not to practice religion as they feel led without unnecessary interference by the government. The separation of church and state is an important constitutional protection of religious freedom for all.