St Andrews Baptist Church

is a Christ-exalting, Bible-based church, taking our stand on the authority of Scripture, and preaching Jesus Christ as Lord. We believe the Church exists to worship God, to strengthen the faith of believers, to create a loving and caring community and to reach the unchurched.  At present we enjoy a balanced style of worship, with lively singing, led by various musicians playing both contemporary and traditional worship music.

We as a church have a real heart for one another and for our community.  We have sought to unveil this heart and declare our intentions in our 10-year vision which you can read for yourself (click to read).  We believe, that it captures the love and concern God has for his church and most importantly for the community of St Andrews. 

The fellowship was founded in 1841 by four men and four women who had been worshipping in the local Congregational church.  St Andrews was a “closed” membership church until 1987, when the constitution was changed to allow “open” membership to all professing faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. However, all who request membership are asked to give due consideration to believers’ baptism, and most of our members have been so baptised. Our congregation also includes many faithful and loyal adherents who, for various reasons, have never taken up membership. In term time we are joined by many University students, with an increasing number from overseas; in the summer months we welcome many holidaymakers. At present, membership is approximately 125. St Andrews Baptist Church is a member of the Baptist Union of Scotland and the Evangelical Alliance, and is in the evangelical mainstream.

The church building is situated in the town centre and consists of an upper floor sanctuary with a balcony seating about 230, and a small ground floor hall referred to as the ‘Fellowship Room’. In 1975 we bought a terraced cottage in an adjacent Rose Lane, to provide additional rooms for children’s work. Faced with poor access for people with disabilities and increasing attendances, in 1987 we decided to install a video link to the ground floor hall and to start a second morning service during term time. However, growth continued to be limited by the capacity of the building, so a new venture was begun in 2000, using the assembly hall of the local secondary school, Madras College, for our Sunday morning Services.

Team ministry

Associate Pastor

Liam Garvie was appointed as Associate Pastor in November 2005.

Elders

The church is served by 6 Elders (including Associate Pastor).  The Elders meet monthly.

Deacons

The church is served by 8 Deacons. The Deacons meet monthly.

Members

The church has at present a membership of 125.

Fellowship

Between 250 and 300 worship regularly, including around 50 students. The summer months see us welcoming many visitors and tourists to the area.

About Baptists

• Who are Baptists?
• What do Baptists believe?
• Why be baptised?
• Why join the church?

These are all important questions, especially if you haven't worshipped in a Baptist church before and so this page is designed to offer some answers together with practical steps you could take if you wish to belong.

Who are Baptists?

The modern Baptist movement, which stands at the heart of mainstream Christianity, began in the early 17th century. John Smyth and Thomas Helwys, separatist Christians, moved to Amsterdam to escape persecution. They came into contact with a group who baptised believers. Persuaded that this was Biblical they baptised one another and later returned to England to found the first British Baptist Church. Ever since the number of Christians who embrace Baptist principles has been rising. Today it is one of the largest denominations in the world.

What do Baptists believe?

The Baptist Union of Scotland, to which St Andrews Baptist Church belongs, holds:

• That the Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour, is the sole Authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to interpret and administer His laws.
• That Christian baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, of those who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day.
• That it is the duty of very disciple to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, taking part in the evangelisation of the world.

Why be baptised?

• Be baptised because Jesus was. The Bible urges us to imitate God. He has set us an example in baptism. He identified with us by being baptised, and baptism is how we identify with Him.
• Be baptised because Jesus commands it. He told His disciples to "make disciples of all nations, baptising them" [Matthew 28]. Those of us who love Him want to obey His teaching.
• Be baptised because of what it represents. It is a confession of faith in Jesus Christ, a consecration to live for Him, and a symbol of what will be when He consummates His reign.

Why join the church?

• Because the Christian is born again into the family of God and the local church is an expression of this.
• Because church membership carries with it a level of accountability that every Christian needs.
• Because vision, strategy and co-operation are vital if we are to fulfill the Great Commission, and church membership helps to facilitate these.

If you want to apply for church membership and/or baptism, please respond via the contact page.