Music Ministry
Worship services are enhanced by the musical
presentations of the church choir. The church has a long tradition of
valuing
and offering fine music. Music is considered a vitally important part
of worship. It is second to nothing else that occurs in worship.
Mission Outreach
The church recognizes its obligation and privilege to
share with the world the good news of the love of God. We support a
number of ministries in the community of Medford. We also support the
various ministries of The American Baptist Churches of Mass and contribute to the national and international ministries of The American Baptist Churches USA.
 What we Believe
As indicated on our home page, First Baptist Church of
Medford is comprised of persons from differing faith traditions. While
we do not require acceptance to any particular creed, we do hold
several vital principles in common.
Following the heritage of American Baptists, we hold to
to the separation of church and state, freedom of religious conscience,
the “priesthood” of all believers, and the autonomy of the
local church.
Freedom of religious conscience is one of the primary
gifts of the earliest American Baptists. At its organization in 1631,
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognized the Congregational Church
as the sole authority in all matters of faith. Roger Williams
(1603-1683) and others lead the struggle for the right of each person
to worship God, as she or he felt appropriate. In 1833 this right was
formally recognized when the General Court ended the privileged
position of the Congregational Church. Prior to this event, only a few
churches of other traditions, notably Baptist, existed in Mass. After
1833, churches were free to form and associate. We hold dear to freedom
of religious conscience.
The priesthood of all believers honors the privilege and
right of each individual to relate directly to God, without
intermediary.
The autonomy of the local church makes it possible for
each church to conduct its own ministries and manage its own property
without the interference of any other body, religious or secular.
Separation of Church and State makes possible the full
and free operation of the Church without interference from the State.
It also safeguards the State from being an arm of any religious body.
 We
believe The Bible is the rule and guide for faith and practice. It is
our practice to include three readings from The Bible in our worship
service. These are almost always drawn from the New Revised Lectionary.
We uphold the right of each reader to study and interpret The Bible for
her- or him- self.
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