Worship Traditions
Our Worship Heritage
A core part of our worship identity includes affirming historical Baptist principles. These principles guide us as we worship.
Soul freedom is the right and responsibility of every person to encounter God without the interference or imposition of creed, clergy, or civil government.
Bible freedom is the belief that the Bible, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and teachings of Jesus Christ, is authoritative and central in the life of individuals and the church.
Church freedom affirms local churches to be free, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, to conduct their work and worship experiences, to ordain those they believe to be gifted for ministry, and to be active with participation in the larger body of Christ.
Religious freedom is broadly defined as freedom of religion, freedom for religion, and freedom from religion - often known as "separation of church and state."
Our Focus in Worship
Pullen's worship seeks to balance our Baptist heritage of worship in the free-church tradition while engaging in meaningful liturgy that is relevant to the concerns of our world. With the central focus being the worship of God, worshipers are invited to engage the liturgy (prayers, hymns, scripture, silence, and the spoken word) with their mind, heart, body, and soul. Our worship encourages worshipers to struggle with the hard questions of faith for the purpose of experiencing and living an authentic life of faith.
Worship Leadership
Pullen has a history of shared leadership of clergy and laity in worship. The worship liturgist is most often a lay person. The liturgist guides us in responsive readings, scripture readings, offertory prayers, and litanies. It is also the role of the laity to offer the joys and concerns and the prayers of the people. Most Sundays Pullen's pastor offers the sermon. On occasion throughout the year, however, sermons are offered by other ordained or non-ordained persons.
Inclusive Language
With the understanding that all language for God is metaphorical, and that language instills truths of equality and justice in human relationships, we intentionally use inclusive language in our worship. This includes changing scripture to gender-neutral language or using a variety of feminine, masculine, and non-gender images in referring to God and humanity. Hymns, litanies, prayers, choral offerings, and other worship elements are also chosen, altered, or created to express this inclusive and expansive view of God and God's people.
Baptism and Communion
We practice believer's baptism at Pullen, which signifies an understanding of God's unconditional love, a desire to trust in God's grace and mercy, and a commitment to follow in the ways of Jesus as each person understands that commitment and calling. We baptize once a year on Easter morning. Membership at Pullen does not require a person who has had such a faith experience in another tradition to be rebaptized.
Communion is celebrated as a part of our worship on the first Sunday of the month. All people (adults and children) of all faiths are invited to gather around God's table to partake in this feast of love. We often say that regardless of one's belief, disbelief, or unbelief, all are welcome at God's table. In our communion, the congregants come forward to receive the elements by intinction, an ancient tradition in the Church.
The Arts in Worship
We experience God and express our worship in a variety of ways. In order to engage mind, body, and spirit in the worship experience, we include elements that connect us to the sacred and help to interpret the seasons of the Christian year. These elements may include liturgical dance and movement, visual imagery, and dramatic presentations, as well as music and the spoken word.
Children are welcome to participate in worship with their families. Kindergarten through second grade children are invited to Children's Worship where they can experience God through story and play. If needed, childcare is available on the first floor for infants and preschool children.