171 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038
The Franklin Federated Church
is a "marriage" of sorts between two churches with long and faithful histories.
The First Baptist Church in Franklin and the First Congregational Church in
Franklin began worshipping together in 1938 (see our Church History page). Both
the Congregationalists and Baptists are part of the "free church" tradition of
Protestantism. These traditions believe that the church should be a "free
association" of believers, rooted in the authority of scripture. In other
words, the Bible (and particularly the teaching of Christ) is our guide to faith
and practice, and there should be no outside authorities, either civil or
ecclesiastical, who dictate what local churches, or individual Christians, can
do or believe. Therefore, we have no bishops in our denominations.
Denominational representatives and office-holders serve only as resources and
advisors to local church congregations, not as superior authorities. When a
local congregation meets as a body in a duly called meeting, its decisions in
regard to its own affairs are final. In such meetings, it is the intention of
the membership to seek the "mind of Christ" (the will of God) rather than simply
following their own instincts. Such "church votes," therefore, are to be
carried out in a spirit of openness, reflection, and prayer. This freedom of
local churches to make their own decisions and establish their own direction is
a highly valued principle we refer to as "the autonomy of the local church."
Another principle that has been dear to Baptists, and in more recent
generations to Congregationalists, also grows out of the emphasis on being a
"free church." It is the principle of religious liberty, translated by the US
Bill of Rights as "a wall of separation" between the church and the state. We
believe strongly that government must provide for the free exercise of religion,
and therefore civil authorities must not be involved in promoting certain
religions, or inhibiting their practice. We have consistently opposed attempts
by government agencies or institutions to perform religious functions, or to
interfere in the life of any recognized religious group. Many of our ancestors
defended this right with their very lives.
Just as we believe the local congregation should be free, we also safeguard
the freedom of conscience of the individual believer. The only test of faith
required for membership in our churches is a profession of faith in Jesus
Christ. How each person understands their relationship with God, and the
articles of their faith is between that person and God. The influence of the
congregation, the guidance of scripture, and the testimony of church tradition
serve as checks and sources of instruction for individual believers, but are not
normative tests of "true faith." We leave such judgment to God. Hence, we are
"non-creedal," meaning that we do not use creeds or statements of faith as
required doctrine. We use ancient creeds and modern affirmations as resources,
helpful for people to reflect upon in their personal faith journeys.
We do not hold as many "sacramental rites" as some other traditions. The
two central practices (Congregationalists call them sacraments, Baptists call
them ordinances) which we lift up are baptism and the Lord's supper. These
practices are not regarded as agents of some special grace which comes through
the water of baptism or the bread and cup of communion, but as "outward and
visible signs" of an inward spiritual experience. That experience is one of
commitment to and connection with the Spirit of God. Among Baptists, baptism
occurs at the time a young person or adult makes a personal decision to follow
Christ. For Congregationalists, infants are baptized into the family of faith,
and confirmed in that faith when they are old enough to make their own
decision. The Lord's Supper is celebrated in worship once a month, usually on
the first Sunday of the month.
We regard all believers as equal before God. Our clergy, therefore, are
not in any way "closer" to God, or "special" agents of God's grace or spirit.
All of those who profess Christ are regarded as equally capable of being such
agents. This is our doctrine of the "Priesthood of the Believers." Clergy in
our traditions are leaders in the community of faith, trained and called out by
the church to provide such leadership. But all believers are regarded as
ministers. We serve one another the elements of communion; we offer pastoral
care to each other; and we hear one another's words of pain, hope and remorse,
and offer the love and grace of God.
In short, we are a gathered people of God, who profess Jesus Christ as
Lord. We do so in a climate of safely guarded equality and freedom. Such a
climate produces, we believe, the greatest opportunity for spiritual growth. It
means that we are a diverse body of believers, and it requires of us a great
deal of patience and love. But we find it to be a rewarding and joyous
expression of our relationship as children of God -- brothers and sisters in
Christ.
For further information about our denominations, check out their home pages
by clicking on the logos to the right.
Affiliated with
The United Church of Christ & The American Baptist Churches
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