Riley Corey

Amanda Presswood

Research, Genre & Context (ENC2135)

17 Sept 2018

Project 1 Final

Genre is defined as any form of communication through any and all modes. In the

Baptist community, genre has a huge impact. The Baptist church communicates through a

variety of mediums. Specifically, First Baptist Church of New Port Richey uses its website and

social media to broadcast weekly news and announcements. Church-wide activities are also

projected through weekly bulletins and flyers.

Facebook plays a significant role in my church community. Church members can create

events through this platform and invite any individual they want as long as they can be reached

through the site. Inviting someone to a church event is as easy as clicking their name and

pressing “invite.” It has never been easier to reach out to a person or stranger than it is today.

Many community leaders utilize Facebook in order to acknowledge the presence of an

upcoming event or opportunity. Many of my church members also provide in-home study

groups which can be broadcasted on Facebook. Members believe that providing a less formal

approach to worship and study can be used to attract more people who may be potentially

interested in joining the church. Facebook is the perfect way to gain church attention and notify

members and non-members of upcoming events.

 Facebook is also used on a personalized basis within Sunday school groups. After

traditional service on Sundays, Baptist churches usually have a time of study. At my church,

these study sessions are usually split up by age. Every Sunday school group may talk about or

plan different activities within the group. This could include volunteer opportunities or just fun

activities that could bring the group closer together. This is usually seen specifically through the

student ministry. Students have their own group on Facebook where the youth pastor, or other

student leader, may plan a group hang out at the park or maybe even suggest attending a

basketball game together. Facebook is an easy resource to get the announcement out and even

get a head count. Each Sunday school group can have their own group pages that allow them to

see what their group is doing or even in charge of each particular week.

Attendees of Sunday worship each week receive a bulletin. Bulletins are used through

the church to catch up every member on what is happening during the week ahead. This may

include bible studies, meal plans, volunteer opportunities, and even birthdays. No matter if you

are a member or not each person that walks through the church doors on Sunday morning can

receive this bulletin. The bulletin will also let you know what the pastor is speaking on currently

and what the topic will be at the service in the evening. My church also includes our church

mission statement and even a testimony from a different church affiliate each week. Bulletins

allow members and non-members alike to understand our church and to get a glimpse of the

activities and involvement our church has within the community. It can also help non-members

understand where their kids should go during the service or what Sunday school group they

may be involved in, so our church can make their first visit as easy as possible.
 Flyers are also passed out and placed throughout the physical community the church is

in. I know that my church has scheduled visitations which involves different Sunday school

classes. Each week a different Sunday school is assigned a different neighborhood close to the

church. During these visitations, the Sunday school class goes door to door and hands out flyers

inviting each household to a church event or activity. They also try and share the gospel

message. Usually my church tries to focus these flyers on kid activities so parents can come and

let their kids enjoy bounce houses or food all while being introduced to the gospel. Flyers can

also be left at businesses and recreational centers so that people can feel free to pick one up

and not feel enforced.

Baptist churches use all or most of these modes throughout the community however I

feel as if there are some constraints. Members of the Baptist community are very well informed

and can easily know exactly what is going on through the church. However, non-members are

not heavily informed on very important aspects of the church. Besides kids functions and

church activities, non-members may still feel very indecisive about even coming to a church to

begin with.

I decided that I would look at my own church and analyze the way they used genre once

more. I wanted to see if my church had the conventions I wish more churches had in

Tallahassee. Looking at my church from the “outside,” I found the same issue. They did not

express the church beliefs clearly on the website or on other platforms. I never realized this

problem as a member. I genuinely felt that my own church community expressed information

and theology as an open unit. I felt that we were metaphorically an “open book.” There was

nothing that was hidden. In opposition, my church does have the word “Baptist” in the title.
However, it still causes a problem because non-believers may not even know what the Baptist

denomination entails or how it compares to others.

The rhetoric, in forms of genre, is a highly influential part of the Baptist community. The

constraints of genre I found in my own community can be resolved. Describing the beliefs of

any church through promotional material should be a required aspect. In my own opinion, I feel

that churches should include their religious basis in order to ensure that everything is clear to

someone debating if the church is right for them or otherwise. Looking up the word “Baptist”

on the internet just causes even more anxiety when trying to find a new church. There are just

big words and a lot of dictionary definitions. What defines the church is the church’s belief

system. Through genre, churches can ease the anxiety of finding a new church for those who

don’t already have a church “home” and can provide serenity in knowing that members are

where they feel God wants them to be. There is nothing more comforting than knowing that

you are in a church that supports and influences the same ideals and beliefs that you have.

Through sermons and action, there is comfort knowing you will project and enhance your

knowledge of the theology you surround yourself with.

Furthermore, genre impacts members and non-members a-like in the Baptist

community. It is an important part of making sure the church is a whole-body unit and

effectively enhances and personalizes experiences on both mental and physical levels. While

there are affordances within this circumstance, there also are constraints. Each constraint can

be fixed simply by putting a focal point on how our church utilizes genre inside and outside the

community.
 WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday

Ministerial Staff
8:30 AM Traditional Worship Service Rev. Jay Huddleston
Nursery/Preschool Care (Birth - Kindergarten) Senior Pastor
ELEMENTS Worship & Message (Grades 1-5)
Rev. Mickey Burroughs
9:45 AM Bible Study Groups / Sunday School - ALL AGES Executive Pastor
11:00 AM Contemporary Worship Service David Phillips
Wee Worship (Birth - Kindergarten) Business Administrator
Kids Worship (Grades 1-5)
Rev. Rich Andrews
6:00 PM Evening Worship Service Worship Pastor
Tuesday Rev. Josiah Brondyke
Minister to Students
1:00-3:00 PM GriefShare - Room L50 (Aug. 28 - Nov. 20)
Shan Whitmire
6:00-7:30 PM GROW Community Outreach - Room F120-121 Kids Ministry Director
(Interim)
6:30-8:00 PM Wingman Men’s Ministry (2nd & 4th Tuesday)
Wednesday Stay Connected
6:00-7:00 PM Worship on Wednesday - Worship Center Website:
www.fbcnpr.com
6:00-8:00 PM Nursery/Preschool Care (Birth - 4 years)
Kids Summer Nights (Pre-K - 5th Grade) Facebook:
/FirstBaptistNPR/
7:00-8:00 PM Discipleship Series - Fellowship Hall
Adult Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room Email:
Orchestra Rehearsal - Worship Center church.office@fbcnpr.com
Thursday
1:00 PM Caregiver Support Group (2nd Thursday) Phone:
727.849.4210
Sermon Notes:
New Members Financial Report Pastor’s AM sermon
outlines go live at 8 AM
New Member Class Offerings Received from 8/12:
First Baptist Church Bulletin:

every Sunday and are

Wednesday, September Budget: $18,646.10
accessible for the week.
12 & 19 @ 7:00 PM Building Fund: $1,684.00
Download the YouVersion
Benevolence: $880.10
app onto your tablet or
Did you know? You can give your offering electronically smart phone, then search
through our e-giving program. Go to www.fbcnpr.com and events using zip code
click the “give” tab to get started. 34653
HOW MAY I JOIN FIRST BAPTIST? We joyfully receive those who wish to join with us at the
close of every worship service. Simply come to one of our ministers during the time of
invitation. You will not be embarrassed in any way - we wish to encourage you and to August 19, 2018
welcome you into our fellowship. You may join First Baptist in these ways:
1. By trusting Christ as your Savior, followed by baptism by immersion. 6800 Trouble Creek Road
2. By transfer of your membership from another Baptist church.
3. By your statement of prior faith in Christ and baptism of like belief & practice. New Port Richey, Florida 34653
4. Winter guests may request dual membership to enjoy full participation without
removal from your other home church. Numbers 1 & 3 above apply. 727.849.4210 / www.fbcnpr.com
What I wish all church websites/new member materials included:
(Downtown Community Church, 231 West Palmer Ave, Tallahassee, Fl)