Marked Pages: More Than an Offering Plate

Reflections from Pastor Braley's current read

Chad Braley • Senior Pastor
June 24, 2026

5 Minute Read

I have recently been reading material to help me get a better grasp on what biblical giving looks like in modern economic times.

When I read the Old Testament, I find God's people bringing offerings that often look very different from what we see today. They brought grain offerings, firstfruits, livestock, produce from their fields, and various other sacrifices. Their giving reflected the way they earned a living and the resources God had entrusted to them.

That raises an interesting question: What does biblical stewardship look like in today's world?

As I studied this subject, I came across a resource that identified three primary "pockets" from which believers give today. The concept challenged me because most Christians are familiar with one of these pockets but rarely consider the other two. I wanted to pass this thought along because it is something worth contemplating, praying about, and engaging in as faithful stewards of God's blessings.

The principle is simple: everything God entrusts to us is meant to be stewarded for His glory.

Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

We are not owners. We are stewards.
God blesses His children not merely so they can possess resources, but so they can manage those resources in a way that honors Him. The purpose of blessing is that it is stewarded by God's children for His glory.

1) The Earned Income Pocket

This is the pocket most of us immediately think about when the subject of giving arises.

Earned income is the money we receive through our labor—our paycheck, salary, wages, commissions, or business income.

For many believers, faithful stewardship begins here. As God provides through our work, we return a portion to Him through regular, cheerful, and sacrificial giving. When we place an offering in the plate, support missions, or give toward a ministry need, we are often giving from our earned income pocket.

This type of giving is important, biblical, and should be practiced consistently. Yet it is only one aspect of stewardship.

2) The Capital Pocket

The capital pocket includes assets that have accumulated over time. These may include savings accounts, investments, stocks, retirement funds, real estate, land, business interests, valuable collections, or other resources God has entrusted to us.

Many believers carefully consider giving from their income while never considering how God might use their accumulated assets.

Throughout Scripture, God's people gave not only from what they earned, but also from what they possessed. There are seasons when God may lead a believer to use a portion of their savings to advance a ministry project, support a missionary, assist a family in need, or invest in a kingdom opportunity.

The question becomes: Are our assets serving God's purposes, or are they simply sitting idle?

The capital pocket reminds us that stewardship extends beyond our weekly paycheck.

3) The Estate Pocket

The estate pocket concerns what happens to our resources after we enter eternity.

Every believer will one day leave behind possessions, property, investments, and accumulated wealth. Most people spend considerable time planning how those assets will be distributed among family members. Yet few consider how their final act of stewardship can impact the work of God.

One statement I encountered that every believer should consider including in their will is this:
"After all my bills are paid, I want 10 percent of my estate (a tithe) to go to ______ Church."

What a powerful testimony of stewardship.

Estate giving is not about neglecting family responsibilities. Rather, it is recognizing that everything belongs to God and intentionally including His work in our final plans.

For some believers, this may involve leaving a percentage of their estate to their local church. For others, it may include missionaries, Christian schools, camps, or ministries that have played a significant role in their spiritual lives.

Estate planning allows us to continue investing in God's work even after we have gone home to be with the Lord.

A Stewardship Mindset

When most people hear a message about giving, they immediately think about what is in their wallet or checking account. Yet biblical stewardship is much broader than that.

God has entrusted us with income.

God has entrusted us with assets.

God has entrusted us with an estate.

Each of these represents an opportunity to honor Him.

The goal is not simply to give more. The goal is to recognize that everything belongs to God and to ask, Lord, how would You have me steward what You have entrusted to me?

Whether from our earned income, our accumulated capital, or our eventual estate, every gift becomes an opportunity to invest in something that will outlast this world.

After all, we cannot take any of it with us—but we can use it now and direct it wisely so that it continues to bring glory to God long after we are gone.

These are simply a few thoughts from my recent reading. I am thankful to be part of a church that is sensitive to the Lord and gives in a way that honors Him.

God Bless, Pastor Braley

Highlighted Reading:
Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate by Cliff Christopher & Mike Slaughter

As with any book outside of Scripture, Pastor Braley does not endorse every view or conclusion the author presents. The Bible alone is our final and infallible authority — Scripture alone holds that distinction.

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June 24, 2026 • 5 Minute Read

Marked Pages: More Than an Offering Plate

I have recently been reading material to help me get a better grasp on what biblical giving looks like in modern economic times. When I read the Old Testament, I find God's people bringing offerings that often look very different from what we see today. They brought grain offerings, firstfruits, livestock, produce from their fields, and various other sacrifices. Their giving reflected the way they earned a living and the resources God had entrusted to them. That raises an interesting question: What does biblical stewardship look like in today's world? As I studied this subject, I came across a resource that identified three primary "pockets" from which believers give today. The concept challenged me because most Christians are familiar with one of these pockets but rarely consider the other two. I wanted to pass this thought along because it is something worth contemplating, praying about, and engaging in as faithful stewards of God's blessings. The principle is simple: everything God entrusts to us is meant to be stewarded for His glory. Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. We are not owners. We are stewards. God blesses His children not merely so they can possess resources, but so they can manage those resources in a way that honors Him. The purpose of blessing is that it is stewarded by God's children for His glory. 1) The Earned Income Pocket This is the pocket most of us immediately think about when the subject of giving arises. Earned income is the money we receive through our labor—our paycheck, salary, wages, commissions, or business income. For many believers, faithful stewardship begins here. As God provides through our work, we return a portion to Him through regular, cheerful, and sacrificial giving. When we place an offering in the plate, support missions, or give toward a ministry need, we are often giving from our earned income pocket. This type of giving is important, biblical, and should be practiced consistently. Yet it is only one aspect of stewardship. 2) The Capital Pocket The capital pocket includes assets that have accumulated over time. These may include savings accounts, investments, stocks, retirement funds, real estate, land, business interests, valuable collections, or other resources God has entrusted to us. Many believers carefully consider giving from their income while never considering how God might use their accumulated assets. Throughout Scripture, God's people gave not only from what they earned, but also from what they possessed. There are seasons when God may lead a believer to use a portion of their savings to advance a ministry project, support a missionary, assist a family in need, or invest in a kingdom opportunity. The question becomes: Are our assets serving God's purposes, or are they simply sitting idle? The capital pocket reminds us that stewardship extends beyond our weekly paycheck. 3) The Estate Pocket The estate pocket concerns what happens to our resources after we enter eternity. Every believer will one day leave behind possessions, property, investments, and accumulated wealth. Most people spend considerable time planning how those assets will be distributed among family members. Yet few consider how their final act of stewardship can impact the work of God. One statement I encountered that every believer should consider including in their will is this: "After all my bills are paid, I want 10 percent of my estate (a tithe) to go to ______ Church." What a powerful testimony of stewardship. Estate giving is not about neglecting family responsibilities. Rather, it is recognizing that everything belongs to God and intentionally including His work in our final plans. For some believers, this may involve leaving a percentage of their estate to their local church. For others, it may include missionaries, Christian schools, camps, or ministries that have played a significant role in their spiritual lives. Estate planning allows us to continue investing in God's work even after we have gone home to be with the Lord. A Stewardship Mindset When most people hear a message about giving, they immediately think about what is in their wallet or checking account. Yet biblical stewardship is much broader than that. God has entrusted us with income. God has entrusted us with assets. God has entrusted us with an estate. Each of these represents an opportunity to honor Him. The goal is not simply to give more. The goal is to recognize that everything belongs to God and to ask, Lord, how would You have me steward what You have entrusted to me? Whether from our earned income, our accumulated capital, or our eventual estate, every gift becomes an opportunity to invest in something that will outlast this world. After all, we cannot take any of it with us—but we can use it now and direct it wisely so that it continues to bring glory to God long after we are gone. These are simply a few thoughts from my recent reading. I am thankful to be part of a church that is sensitive to the Lord and gives in a way that honors Him. God Bless, Pastor Braley Highlighted Reading: Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate by Cliff Christopher & Mike Slaughter As with any book outside of Scripture, Pastor Braley does not endorse every view or conclusion the author presents. The Bible alone is our final and infallible authority — Scripture alone holds that distinction.

Chad Braley

Senior Pastor

June 22, 2026 • 4 Minute Read

Adult Bible Study Series: Faith that Triumphs

Every Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m., before the morning worship service, adults of all ages and stages of life gather at Faith Baptist Church to open God's Word together. Whether you've been walking with the Lord for decades or you're just beginning to explore what it means to follow Jesus, there's a place here for you. But Adult Bible Study is more than a class on a Sunday morning. It's one of the most consistent investments you can make in your spiritual growth — and it's better when you do it with others. Why Small Groups Matter The Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation. In Acts 2, the early church devoted themselves not only to the apostles' doctrine, but to fellowship — to doing life and faith together. When you study God's Word alongside others, something happens that can't happen on your own. Questions get asked that sharpen your understanding. Burdens that feel heavy alone become lighter when a group of believers prays over them together. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17). And perhaps most importantly, you become known — by people who notice when you're missing, check in during a hard week, and walk with you through whatever life brings. Bible Study classes are one of the primary places where that happens at Faith. If you've never joined one, this is the time to start. Our Adult Bible Study Classes Young Adults (adults 30 and under) Taught by Bro. Matthew Beighle | Room 103 A community for adults under 30, working through life's big questions from God's Word and building real friendships along the way. Faith Families (adults in their 30s & 40s) Taught by Bro. Brad O'Dell | Room 104 Practical, biblical teaching to strengthen marriages and family life for couples in this season of life. Cornerstone Couples (adults in their 40s & 50s) Taught by Bro. Joe Sanfilippo | Room 107 Focused on applying faith to life's real challenges and deepening your spiritual roots together as a couple. Berean (all adults) Taught by Bro. Will Duttry | Auditorium A welcoming, open-to-all session in the auditorium offering foundational Bible teaching every week. If you're not sure where to start, this is a great place to begin. Ladies Bible Study (adult ladies) Taught by Mrs. Laura Braley | Conference Room An encouraging environment for women of all ages to grow spiritually and enjoy meaningful fellowship. Faith That Triumphs Overcoming Life's Challenges with Courage from God's Word Life is full of challenges — some expected, others completely unforeseen. In every season, we face decisions, uncertainties, and trials that test our resolve. But the God we serve never changes, and His Word gives us strength, direction, and hope for every one of those moments. Faith That Triumphs is a 10-lesson study designed to help you build a steadfast trust in God. You'll explore what it means to trust Him when life doesn't make sense, when provision seems scarce, in seasons of suffering, and in a world that increasingly opposes truth. Each lesson includes thorough Bible teaching, discussion questions, and real-life application to strengthen your walk with the Lord. This is a great time to join a class for the first time — or to invite a friend to come with you. A new study means a natural starting point, and Faith That Triumphs is the kind of study that's relevant to everyone, no matter where you are in life right now. No matter what you're facing — your faith can triumph. Join us beginning Sunday, July 5 at 9:45 a.m.

Will Duttry

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June 24, 2026 • 3 Minute Read

How to use Online Giving

Faithful giving is one of the most tangible ways we honor God and invest in the ministry He has entrusted to us here at Faith Baptist. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to be faithful. Faith Baptist Church uses Nucleus Giving as our secure online giving platform. You can give in minutes from your phone, tablet, or computer — and set up automatic recurring gifts so you never miss a week. How to Give Online You don't need an account to give — but creating one makes the process faster every time after and gives you a personal dashboard to track your giving history. Here's how to get started. Step 1 — Visit Our Giving Flow Access online giving through the launcher accessible on each page of our website and click the Online Giving button in the menu. Step 2 — Enter Your Gift Amount Type in the amount you'd like to give. You'll see available giving funds listed — choose the one that applies to your gift (General Fund, Missions, etc.). Step 3 — Choose Your Giving Frequency You can give as a one-time gift or set up a recurring gift on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule. Recurring giving is a great way to stay consistent in your stewardship even when life gets busy. Step 4 — Select Your Payment Method You can give by credit or debit card, or connect your bank account directly (ACH). Giving by bank account is the simplest and most cost-effective option — the processing fee is just 25¢ per transaction. NOTE: When selecting Bank Account, there are two options, using Plaid or entering manually. If you don’t already use Plaid entering manually will make for an easier process. Step 5 — Complete Your Gift Enter your payment details, add an optional memo, confirm your contact info and submit. You'll receive a confirmation email right away. Want to Create an Account? Creating a free Nucleus Giving account lets you: View your complete giving history Access your annual giving statement for tax purposes Save your payment method so future gifts take just seconds Manage or update recurring gifts at any time To create your account: Go to the launcher and click Sign In Enter your email address and create a password Check your inbox for a verification email and click the confirmation link Once verified, click My Account to fill in your profile details Managing Your Online Giving Once your account is set up, you're in full control. From your personal dashboard you can: View past gifts and download giving records Update a recurring gift — change the amount, frequency, or payment method Cancel a recurring gift if needed Access your annual tax statement once it's been released by the church office Need Help? If you run into any trouble setting up your account or completing a gift, reach out to the church office — we're happy to walk you through it.Send us an EmailCall the Church Office 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Will Duttry

Assistant Pastor

June 20, 2026 • 5 Minute Read

Our Father’s Pattern

I've been thinking about Father's Day a lot this week. Partly because it's coming up, but also because I've been paying attention to the people around me. This Day Lands Differently for Everyone For some of us, today is a good day. Our kids are going to make us feel special, or we’re going to call our dad’s and mean every word of it. That's a gift. Don't take it for granted. For others, there's grief tied to father's day. Maybe you lost your dad, and this is the first Father's Day without him. Or the fifth, and people assume it gets easier. Maybe your relationship with your father is complicated in ways that are hard to explain. I'm not going to gloss over any of that. But I do want to point us all toward something that changes the way we see this day, no matter where we're coming from. God Set the Pattern First Here's what I keep coming back to: God the Father isn't a concept we invented to make sense of our earthly fathers. It's the other way around. Every good thing we associate with fatherhood, the love, the protection, the discipline that actually comes from care, it all originates in Him. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son." (John 3:16) That's a Father who loved at a cost. Who gave something irreplaceable. And it doesn’t stop there. Jesus paints a picture of the Father in Luke 15 who sees his son coming back from a long way off and runs to him. Doesn't wait. Doesn't make him grovel. Runs. That's the standard. And let’s be honest, it's a humbling one, whether you're a father or not. What Scripture Asks of Fathers The Bible isn’t vague. There are some clear expectations laid out, and I think they're worth looking at. Teach the Word. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 puts it right on the father's shoulders. Get the Word of God in your heart, then teach it to your kids. Not just at church. In the house. On the road. Morning and night. It's supposed to be a part of the fabric of your home. Nurture our children. Ephesians 6:4 is a verse a lot of dads need to sit with. "Provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." There's a version of fatherhood that's harsh, critical, impossible to please, and Paul says that's not it. The word nurture here is tender. It's a long-haul. It's a slow, consistent work of shaping a child with care. Live with integrity. Proverbs 20:7: "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." What your kids watch you do when things get hard, when money is tight, when you think nobody's looking, that's the lesson they will remember longest. Provide and lead. 1 Timothy 5:8 is blunt. A man who doesn't provide for his own household has, in Paul's words, denied the faith. That's more than a paycheck. It's stability, presence, spiritual leading. It's showing up. None of us does all of this perfectly. But the goal isn't perfection, it’s progressIt's faithfulness to the One who is. To all the Fathers If your family is celebrating you, receive it. You don't have to have everything figured out to be a faithful father. And if there are places where you feel like you've fallen short. Let it be a moment where you quietly say, Lord, I want to do better. Help me. That prayer matters more than you know. Honor is a command. But honor doesn't require a perfect relationship. It's a posture of the heart that says: God put this man in my life, and I'm going to recognize that. If your dad is still around, don't assume there's always more time. Tell him what he's meant to you. Even if it comes out clunky. Especially if it comes out clunky. If your missing your dad today, grief doesn't take weekends off, and it doesn't take Father's Day off either. This fathers day might carry a weight that's hard to describe to someone who hasn't felt it. You don't have to pretend otherwise. He sees what's missing. He draws near to it. He doesn't ask you to have it all together today.Bring the ache to Him. He can handle it. A Few Questions Worth Considering Wherever fathers day finds you, I want to leave you with a few questions, not to pile on, but to help bring some clarity: What is one quality of God as Father that you are most grateful for right now? How does it change the way you see your own life or your own relationships? If you're a father: Where do you feel God nudging you to grow? Thinking about the father in your life: What's one thing he did that, looking back, pointed you toward God, even if neither of you realized it at the time? If Father’s Day is hard: What's one truth about our Heavenly Father that you can hold onto, not to rush past the pain, but to carry with it? What's one step you can take this week, as a father, a child, or both, toward the kind of faithfulness Scripture calls us to? Father's Day is bigger than we give it credit for. It's a window into something God designed, the love of a father is meant to reflect the love of the Father. I'm grateful for every dad at Faith Baptist who is doing that work, imperfectly, but one day at a time. And I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who meets all of us exactly where we are. Happy Father's Day.

Will Duttry

Assistant Pastor

May 29, 2026 • 4 Minute Read

FaithLink: More than Announcements

🔊 Audio reading available at the end of the article. One of the things about the local church is that the ministry doesn’t stop when the service ends. Sunday morning is the gathering, but Christian life happens all week long, in our homes, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and the church ought to be a resource for that life, not just a destination on a calendar. That’s the heart behind FaithLink. What Is FaithLink? FaithLink is Faith Baptist’s online member hub, a place where you can stay connected to the life and ministry of this church between Sundays. Missionary updates. Biblical articles from our pastors. Resources for parents. Practical tools for Christian living. All in one place, and always available. But we want to share the bigger vision with you, because we want you to know where we’re headed. Where We’re Headed We want FaithLink to become your hub, not just a place to read about what’s happening at Faith Baptist, but a place where you feel the heartbeat of this church all week long. A church family that stays informed, stays connected, and stays in the Word together is a stronger church family. FaithLink is one way we want to help make that happen. Here is what we are praying it becomes: 1) A place where you hear from your pastors — not just doctrinal articles, but practical wisdom for marriage, parenting, finances, workplace integrity, and the Christian life in the real world. 2) A place where God’s faithfulness is on display — the stories of what He is doing through our missionaries, our outreach, and answered prayer, told and celebrated so the whole church family gets to rejoice together. 3) A place for honest questions — where new believers and growing Christians can find clear, biblical answers about salvation, baptism, and what it means to follow Christ. 4) A place that goes deeper — content that reinforces and extends what you’re hearing from the pulpit on Sunday morning. How It’s Organized FaithLink is built around collections — each one focused on a different area of ministry life: Beyond the Pulpit — Articles from the pastoral staff on biblical topics, church life, and practical Christian living. Missions — Updates, prayer letters, and stories from the missionaries Faith Baptist supports around the world. Individual Ministries — Information about what’s going on in specific ministries of our church, to help equip the serve team, and minister to those involved. More collections are coming as FaithLink continues to grow. How Subscriptions Work Here’s what makes FaithLink a little unique — there is not one subscription, but one for each collection. That means you choose exactly what lands in your inbox. Want articles from the pastors? Subscribe to Beyond the Pulpit — you’ll find that subscription right on the main page at faithlink.fbcfh.com. Want missionary news and prayer letters? Subscribe to Missions. Have kids at home or teenagers in the house? Subscribe to Faith Kids or Faith Teens. You can subscribe to one collection or all of them. New posts come straight to your email inbox, so you never have to remember to check a website. And you can unsubscribe from any collection at any time. Start Here Visit faithlink.fbcfh.com, subscribe below to the Beyond the Pulpit collection, and explore the collections from there. Share a post when something connects. Let us know what topics would be helpful. This is meant to serve you, and we want it to be genuinely useful. We are grateful for this church family. It is a privilege to pastor and serve among people who love the Lord and love His Word. FaithLink is simply one more way we want to pour into your life and walk alongside you, not just on Sunday, but every day of the week. — The Pastoral Staff, Faith Baptist Church Some articles on FaithLink include an audio reading to help make practical truth more accessible to every member of our church family. Whether you are driving to work, caring for your family, exercising, or simply prefer listening over reading, these audio versions allow you to stay connected and continue growing in truth throughout your week. Our desire is to provide another opportunity for individuals to engage with Christ-centered content in a way that fits naturally into everyday life.

Will Duttry

Assistant Pastor

June 12, 2026 • 5 Minute Read

GriefShare is coming to Faith Baptist

Grief is one of the heaviest burdens a person can carry. Whether you have lost a spouse, a parent, a child, a sibling, or a dear friend, the pain of that loss can feel overwhelming, and far too often, it feels very lonely. You may be sitting in the seat on Sunday morning with a smile on your face while your heart is quietly breaking. If that is you, we want you to know: you do not have to walk through this alone. We are thrilled to announce that Faith Baptist Church will be launching a GriefShare ministry beginning Monday, September 1. This is a ministry we have been praying about, and we believe God's timing is perfect. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. What Is GriefShare? GriefShare is a 13-week, Christ-centered support group designed to walk people through their grief journey with compassion and biblical truth. Each week features a video seminar with respected Christian counselors and pastors, followed by small-group discussion and personal workbook exercises to help participants process what they are going through. Every session addresses the real challenges that come with grief, the loneliness, the anger, the questions, the sleepless nights — and points you back to the One who is "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). At its heart, GriefShare points to Christ as the ultimate source of healing. That lines up perfectly with who we are as a church and what we believe God's Word teaches about comfort, hope, and restoration. Why This Ministry Matters In any church family, individuals are silently struggling with the pain of losing a loved one — some may have lost a spouse, a parent, a child, another relative, or a close friend. The grief does not end after the funeral. It does not stop after a few weeks. Many people suffer in silence for months and even years, not knowing where to turn. GriefShare provides a safe space where individuals can process their grief, share their stories, and find support from others who understand their pain, not just to help them move through grief, but to offer biblical hope and encouragement. That is exactly the kind of ministry the local church is called to provide. Is This for You? If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, recently or even years ago, we warmly invite you to come. You do not need to have it all together. You do not need to know what to say. You simply need to show up, and we will walk through it together, with God's Word as our guide and our church family by your side. GriefShare is also open to friends, neighbors, and coworkers in our community who are hurting. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite someone you know who needs the comfort that only Christ can give. Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. When: Tuesday, September 1 - Tuesday, November 24, 2026 Location: Faith Baptist Church — Fairless Hills, PA Time: Tuesday Nights at 7:00 p.m.Register Here We love you, Faith Baptist family. If grief has found you in this season of life, we want to be right there with you. Feel free to share this with anyone you know who may need a place of healing and hope. Interested in serving in GriefShare? GriefShare groups don't run themselves — they run because someone in the church was willing to say yes. Leading a GriefShare group does not require a counseling degree or a personal expertise in grief. It requires a heart for hurting people, a willingness to show up faithfully week after week, and a love for the local church. GriefShare provides all the training and materials a leader needs. Your role is to facilitate — to create a safe, consistent place where people can be honest and where God's Word has room to work. Paul's words in Second Corinthians describe this kind of ministry beautifully: 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. If you have walked through grief yourself, that experience is not a disqualification. God does not waste our sorrows. He redeems them, and often uses them to open doors of ministry that nothing else could open. If you sense the Lord leading you to serve in this way, we want to hear from you. Group leaders will go through a brief GriefShare orientation before the ministry launches in September, and pastoral support will be available throughout the 13-week cycle. To express interest in serving, let us know HERE! This is a meaningful opportunity to serve your church family in one of the most tender areas of life. Don't talk yourself out of it — reach out, and let's have a conversation.

Chad Braley

Senior Pastor

June 16, 2026 • 5 Minute Read

Bringing Your Week into the Seat

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Sunday morning comes around, the music begins, and we're invited to worship. But if we're honest, many of us arrive carrying the weight of a full week of discouragement. We slide into our seats and hope something in the service will flip a switch and put us in the right frame of mind. Here's an important truth: worship was never meant to be a switch we flip on Sunday. It's a fire we keep burning all week long. Worship Is a Way of Living, Not Just a Service to Attend The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Paul is helping us understand that the surrendered, God-honoring life you live Monday through Saturday is an act of worship. The Sunday gathering is meant to be a celebration of what has already been happening in your heart throughout the week, not the only hour you spend thinking about God. When we understand that, it changes everything about how we approach gathering together. What a Worshipful Week Actually Looks Like A heart that worships daily isn't a perfect heart. It's a directed heart, one that keeps returning its attention to the Lord through the ordinary moments of life. Here are a few practical anchors: 1) Start your mornings with God before you start them with anything else. Before the phone, before the news, before the demands of the day crowd in, give the Lord the first moments. Even five minutes in the Word and a brief prayer sets the compass for the day. Psalm 5:3 says, My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. 2) Let thankfulness interrupt your day. Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools of a worshipful heart. When something good happens, a safe drive, a kind word, a problem solved, pause and acknowledge the Lord. I Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to give thanks "in every thing." That's not just a Sunday discipline. That's a throughout-the-day discipline. 3) Bring your burdens to God as they come, not just when they pile up. One reason we arrive at church distracted is that we've carried our worries all week without handing them over. Philippians 4:6 tells us to be "careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." When you pray through your troubles as they arise, you arrive on Sunday lighter, and readier to worship. 4) Let the Word speak into your situations. When you're in a difficult conversation or an uncertain moment, ask: What has God already said about this? Meditating on Scripture throughout the week keeps your heart tethered to truth rather than tossed by circumstances. How Your Week Shapes Your Sunday Think of it this way, the heart you bring to your seat on Sunday is the heart you've been building all week. If you've been feeding on the Word, you'll recognize what's being preached. If you've been praying, you'll mean what you sing. If you've been walking in thankfulness, the hymns won't feel like a warm-up, they'll feel like a continuation. But if Sunday is the only time God gets your attention, it's hard to shift gears quickly. The music may feel unfamiliar. The sermon may feel disconnected. Not because anything is wrong with the service, but because the heart needs time to be moved. A Word of Encouragement If this describes where you are right now, arriving on Sunday running on empty, this isn't meant to heap guilt on you. It's meant to open a door. God meets us where we are. The same Lord who met a weary Elijah under a juniper tree (1 Kings 19:4-5) meets you in your seat, even when you've had a hard week and your heart is scattered. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23), and that includes Sunday morning. But don't settle for that being the pattern. You were made for more than a one-hour-a-week connection with your Creator. You were made to walk with Him, through the workday, through the kitchen, through it all. A Simple Challenge This Week Pick one daily anchor and practice it for the next seven days: A short passage of Scripture read each morning A prayer of thanks spoken out loud at lunch A moment of quiet before bed to reflect on where you saw God's hand that day Come Sunday, notice the difference in how you enter the service. You may find that worship doesn't begin when the music starts — it simply continues. Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Faith Baptist Church exists to connect people to Christ, grow them in truth, and lead them to commit fully to the Savior, and that mission doesn't pause between Sundays.

Will Duttry

Assistant Pastor

June 13, 2026 • 2 Minute Read

Sunday Setup: Is Christ being formed in you?

Tomorrow we'll be in Galatians 4 and wrestle with a powerful question: Is Christ being formed in you? Many believers spend their lives measuring spiritual growth by church attendance, Bible knowledge, or religious activity. But Paul points us to a deeper question—not simply whether Christ is in us, but whether Christ can be seen through us. In Galatians 4:19, Paul writes: My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. As you prepare for worship tomorrow, consider: Is my faith centered on what Christ has done or what I am trying to do? Can others see the character of Jesus in my attitudes, responses, and relationships? What might God be asking me to surrender so that Christ can be more clearly reflected in my life? Am I living as a child of promise or slipping back into spiritual bondage? The Gospel does more than save us from judgment—it transforms us into the likeness of Christ. Take a few moments tonight to read Galatians 4:12-31 and ask the Lord to prepare your heart. We look forward to worshiping together tomorrow as we explore Paul's passionate prayer: "Until Christ be formed in you." Can't make it tomorrow? Watch Live HERE!Can't make it tomorrow? Watch Live HERE!

Chad Braley

Senior Pastor

May 30, 2026 • 4 Minute Read

Josiah: Lost and Found

There’s a moment in Josiah’s life that we need to slow down and really see. In the middle of repairing the temple, something is discovered that had been missing for a long time: 2 Chronicles 34:14 And Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses. “Found a book of the law of the Lord…” This wasn’t a new book. It was a neglected one. Josiah grew up in a nation that still had a temple, still had priests, and still had religious activity. But somewhere along the way, the Word of God stopped being read. That decline really started years earlier under Manasseh: 2 Kings 21:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD… For decades, idolatry filled the land and false worship became normal. And when that happens, the Word of God gets pushed aside. You can have religion without the Word—and still be far from God. By Josiah’s time, Judah still looked like a nation with spiritual structure, but it had drifted far from truth. That’s what happens when Scripture is ignored: idols take over, conviction fades, compromise feels normal, and people keep going through the motions. If the Word doesn’t rule, something else will. The greatest tragedy wasn’t that the Law was lost—it was that nobody missed it. Then in our text, everything changes. In the middle of repairs, someone opens something that hadn’t been opened in a long time: 2 Chronicles 34:14 And Hilkiah… found a book of the law of the LORD. At that moment, everything shifts. Because when the Word of God comes back into the light, it doesn’t just sit there—it speaks. Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. And when the Word comes back, idols go out. Josiah doesn’t just read it and move on—he responds. He starts tearing things down: high places, idols, everything that had taken God’s place. Why? Because the Word always demands a response. Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. And real faith always shows up in real change “Faith… if it hath not works, is dead…” (James 2:17) The same problem still shows up today. We may not be bowing to carved statues, but idols are still everywhere. Anything that takes first place in our lives can become one—success, entertainment, social media, relationships, comfort, even good things that become ultimate things. And Scripture warns us plainly: 1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Because idols don’t just sit there—they compete for your heart. Jesus said: “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34) Sin always looks like freedom, but it never delivers it. It promises life—but produces bondage. It promises joy—but leaves emptiness. It promises more—but always takes more than it gives. Sin promises freedom… but delivers chains. Josiah’s story is really a “lost and found” story. The Word wasn’t gone—it was just buried under years of neglect. And when it was found again, it changed everything. The same is still true today. “When the Word of God is found again, it never leaves things the same.” Because the real question isn’t whether God is still speaking… it’s whether we’re still listening. So, where is your Bible and how did it speak to you today? This post expands on a key point from a recent sermon and is intended to further encourage your study and reflection on God's Word. While this post explores one aspect of the message, the full sermon provides the broader context, and practical application. We invite you to watch the complete sermon below.Watch the full sermon now!

Chad Braley

Senior Pastor

May 25, 2026 • 3 Minute Read

World Cup Scripture Distribution

Sign-up to be a part! The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to Philadelphia, and with it comes and incredible open door for a Gospel witness. Fans from many nations will pour into our city, and we have a chance to put the Word of God in their hands. We are partnering with Bearing Precious Seed and other like-minded local churches to distribute copies of John & Romans to World Cup visitors around Lincoln Financial Field on game days. These Scriptures are provided free of charge, and our goal is to hand out 10,000 copies each night we go out. What a privilege to be part of sending the Word of God, in one evening, to thousands of people from around the world! Our Two Outreach Nights Our ministry is focusing on two game nights this summer. Here's what you need to know: Night One — Sunday, June 14 Match: Côte d'Ivoire vs. Ecuador Bus departs Faith Baptist Church at 3:00 p.m. Night Two — Friday, June 19 Match: Brazil vs. Haiti Bus departs Faith Baptist Church at 5:00 p.m. We will travel together as a church family by bus from the church. No need to worry about parking or finding your way, we go together, we serve together, and we come home together. What to Expect You will be handing out Gospel Scripture portions (John & Romans) to fans as they arrive for the game No experience needed — just a willing heart and a smile Scriptures are provided — you just show up ready to serve This is a street-level, hands-on outreach. Expect a lively, busy atmosphere with fans from all over the world Wear comfortable shoes and come prepared to walk and stand Children are welcome with a participating parent Why This Matters Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. Normally, reaching people from Côte d'Ivoire, Brazil, Ecuador, and Haiti would require a plane ticket and a passport. This summer, they are coming to us. The Lord has set a table right in our own backyard, and we want to be faithful to take full advantage of it. Every copy of John & Romans placed in someone's hands is a seed sown, and God can use His Word to bring souls to Christ long after they return home. Sign Up Today We need to know how many folks plan to come so we can arrange transportation properly. Please sign up for one or both nights using the link below.Sign-up Here Questions? Contact Bro. Nick Brunoni. Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Will Duttry

Assistant Pastor

May 15, 2026 • 8 Minute Read

Why We Come to the Lord's Table

If you have worshipped with us here at Faith Baptist, you may have seen us observe the Lord's Supper together. We pass the bread. We take the cup. We bow our heads and remember. But why? It is a fair question, and it deserves a real answer. The Lord's Supper is one of only two ordinances given to the local church by Christ, the other being baptism. We do not observe it out of tradition or habit. We observe it because our Lord commanded it, and because every time we gather around that table, we are doing something that believers have done all the way back to an upper room in Jerusalem on the darkest night in human history. I Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. It Came From the Lord Himself The Lord's Supper did not begin with a church council. It did not grow out of religious custom. It began with Jesus Christ, on the very night He was betrayed. The apostle Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 11:23: "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you." He is not appealing to church tradition or his own authority. He is saying plainly, this came directly from Christ. The Lord's Supper is a commandment, given by the Lord Himself, for every local church to observe until He returns. And notice the setting Paul describes: "the same night in which he was betrayed." Sit with that for a moment. The night Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper was one of the darkest nights in history, the night the Son of God was handed over by someone He had walked with for three years. Judas had already made his arrangements. The religious leaders were sharpening their accusations. The cross was only hours away. And on that night, with all of that bearing down on Him — what was Jesus thinking about? He was thinking about His people. He was giving them a gift. A way to look back at what He was about to do and keep it fresh, real, and near for every generation that would follow. The night the world was turning against Him, He was turned toward us. That is an act of love. The Lord's Supper did not originate in religion. It originated in the heart of a Savior who, even in His darkest hour, was thinking of you. It Points Directly to the Cross When Jesus took the bread that night, He broke it and said: "Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:24). When He took the cup, He said: "This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me" (v. 25). The bread represents His body. The prophet Isaiah wrote, seven centuries before Calvary: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). The bread on that table is a picture of what sin costs, and of what Christ was willing to pay. The cup represents His blood. In the Old Testament, covenants between God and His people were sealed with the blood of animals. Those sacrifices were never the end of the story; they were shadows, pointing forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that was coming. When Jesus lifted that cup and called it the new testament in His blood, He was declaring: I am the fulfillment of everything the old covenant promised. My blood seals a covenant of forgiveness for everyone who trusts in Me. These are not symbols to rush past. I Corinthians 11:26 says something remarkable: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." When we come to the Lord's table, we are not simply doing a quiet religious ritual. We are preaching a sermon, to one another and to the watching world, in a single act of worship. The Lord's Supper has a built-in expiration date. We do this till He come. One day, Christ will return, and there will be no more need to remember His death, because we will be in His presence. Every time we come to this table, we are declaring: He is coming. We are not yet home. We are waiting. It Calls Every Believer to Examine Their Heart Because of what the Lord's Supper represents, it is not something to approach carelessly. Paul writes plainly in 1 Corinthians 11:27 that to eat the bread and drink the cup unworthily, meaning without proper preparation, without truly discerning what this table stands for, is a serious matter. But it is important to understand what Paul means. He is not saying that only perfect people may come to the table. If that were the standard, not one of us would ever participate, because none of us are worthy. Christ has more than met that standard on our behalf. What Paul is calling for is not perfection; he is calling for preparation. I Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. Notice the direction of that verse. Paul does not say to examine yourself and stay away if you fall short. He says to examine yourself, and so let him eat. The examination is the preparation, not a barrier. The goal is to come, but to come ready. Before we observe the Lord's Supper at Faith Baptist, we encourage every believer to bring these questions honestly before the Lord: Questions for Self-Examination 1) Am I trusting Christ alone for my salvation? The Lord's Supper is an ordinance for those who have believed, if you have never trusted Christ, today is a good day to respond to the gospel. Learn more about Salvation here! 2) Is there unconfessed sin in my life that I have been deliberately holding onto? Not sin I have struggled with and brought to the Lord, but sin I have been protecting. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9). 3) Is there a broken relationship between me and a fellow believer? The Lord's table is a body ordinance, meant to be observed in unity. A heart moving toward reconciliation matters here. 4) Am I truly remembering, or just going through the motions? The quietest danger is not rebellion, it is spiritual apathy. Letting the bread and cup pass through your hands without really engaging with what they mean. God takes His Son's sacrifice too seriously to let His people walk past it without a second glance. The call to self-examination is not a burden, it is a mercy. It is God giving us the opportunity to get right with Him before He has to do the correcting for us (v. 31). It Belongs to the Whole Body — Together The Lord's Supper is not a private transaction between an individual soul and God. It is a corporate act of worship, observed by the local church together, as one body, proclaiming one Lord, and waiting for one return. When the church at Corinth corrupted this ordinance, it was not just a social failure, it was a spiritual one. They had allowed division and selfishness to turn something sacred into something shameful. Paul's correction was sharp: "I praise you not" (1 Corinthians 11:17, 22). The principle behind his correction is just as relevant for us today. When we come to this table at Faith Baptist, we are not just reflecting on what Christ has done for me, we are proclaiming what He has done for us. The people around you have been bought with the same price you were bought with. The blood in that cup covers their sin just as surely as it covers yours. You are not strangers gathered in the same building. You are members of the same body, seated at the same table, united by the same Lord. Come to the Table The night Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, He was facing the cross. He knew what the next several hours would bring, the arrest, the accusations, the beatings, the thorns, the nails. He knew the weight of the sin of the world would be placed on His shoulders. He knew the Father would turn His face away. He knew all of it. And in that moment, He thought of you. He thought of every time His people would gather, in houses, in storefronts, in church buildings across every generation, and take bread and cup and remember. And He said: "This do in remembrance of me." He wanted the remembrance of His death to stay close to His people's hearts. Not as a theological fact that sits on a shelf, but as a reality that shapes how we think, how we live, and how we treat one another. Come to the table prepared. We do this till He come. Have questions about the Lord's Supper or the gospel? We would love to talk with you. Reach out to us directly, or speak with one of our pastors before or after any service. If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, today is a good day to take that step.Learn about SalvationHave a Question? Contact Us.

Will Duttry

Assistant Pastor

May 15, 2026 • 3 Minute Read

What is "Continue" Discipleship?

If you've recently trusted Christ as your Saviour — or if you've been a Christian for a while but feel like you need a stronger foundation — the Continue discipleship program at Faith Baptist Church might be exactly what you need. What Is Continue? Continue is a biblically-grounded, one-on-one discipleship program designed to give new (and growing) Christians a solid footing in the Word of God. The program was developed by Striving Together Publications and written by Pastor Paul Chappell. It consists of fourteen weekly lessons that walk through the core doctrines and practical truths every Christian needs to know. Each lesson is built around a clear outline, thorough Scripture references, and built-in conversation starters to help open up honest, personal discussion. At the end of each lesson, there are five daily devotional readings to help develop the habit of getting into God's Word every day. Each session is designed to take about 45–60 minutes. What Topics Does It Cover? The fourteen lessons include: The Word of God Knowing God Who Is Jesus? Your Salvation Developing a Prayer Life Your Relationship with God's Word The Holy Spirit The Life of a Disciple The Local Church Your Place in Your Church Family Financial Stewardship Go and Tell the Good News Living in Light of Eternity Continue Every topic is practical, biblical, and tied to real Christian living — not just information, but transformation. How Does It Work at Faith Baptist? When you enroll in Continue at Faith Baptist, you'll be paired with an experienced believer from our church family who will walk through the lessons with you week by week. Discipleship is meant to happen in relationship — and that's exactly how Continue is designed. When does Discipleship happen? Discipleship happens best when it becomes a regular, intentional part of your life. In the Continue program, most pairs meet once a week at a time that works for both people — before or after a service, in a home, at the church, or even over coffee. The key is consistency and a setting where you can focus on God’s Word and honest conversation. But discipleship is more than just a scheduled meeting. It continues throughout the week as you spend time in God’s Word using the daily devotions, apply what you’ve learned, and stay connected with the person discipling you. It’s not just about completing lessons — it’s about growing in Christ day by day. In other words, discipleship isn’t confined to one hour a week. It’s a lifestyle of learning, growing, and following Jesus together. How Do I Sign Up? You can sign up and learn more below. The Continue book itself is available through the church office. Whether you're brand new to the faith or looking to get grounded in what you believe, we'd love to walk through this with you. Reach out to us — we'll get you connected.Sign me up!

Chad Braley

Senior Pastor