An Encouraging Message from a Friend

I returned to worship this morning after an absence of 6 weeks or more and what a difference I experienced!  The beginning of a new look to the sanctuary, a larger crowd - but more than a new look, I felt a new warmth, a new spirit, a new energy among the people I've grown to love so much. As we exchanged peace I felt it again, hearing "We've missed you" and "Good to see you" as hands of friendship were exchanged. I enjoyed seeing a new Christian be baptized, and enjoyed applauding with you in pure joy. A banner in front has the words  Grace - Love - Fellowship. I rejoice with you my Ridgewood friends, as each of those words were made alive for me today.  In Joe's message he said he wished he could somehow sculpt a hand that all could hold for a permanent connection to God. I think perhaps each of your hands (and hearts) may be doing that in more ways than you know.  Thank you for being God's people.  Peace, Doris Hornbuckle

We’re not the biggest church.  Or the prettiest church.  We’re not going to claim to be the friendliest church (though I hope we’re friendly!).

We’re not the One True Church. Or the most pure church.  Or the most Bible-believing church. We are, however, a church that takes seriously the call of Jesus to follow Him, to love God, to love our neighbors (all of them, not just the ones that look and act like us), to love the earth.

Some churches focus on attracting people with their style: their music, and hipness, their programs for all ages, their attractive staff, their facilities.

Others churches focus on being right.  It’s important to them to be doctrinally correct and biblically orthodox.  They comb the Bible and figure out its secrets.  Their logic is impeccable. Their Bibles are well-worn.  They take on all comers in a quick-draw battle of scripture verses. These churches often have strong conservative views on social issues or politics that they try to get their members to support.

If Ridgewood has an angle, let it be this: we find God’s love in Jesus so life-changing and perspective-altering that we realize we’re called by God to be change-agents in the world.  We’re called to be disciples-- not men in bathrobes who walk around saying “thee” and “thou”-- but forgiven sinners who believe Jesus was completely serious and not exaggerating when He said, “Love one another,” or “love your enemies,” or “blessed are the peacemakers.”  We realize that discipleship isn’t easy.  It takes a community of faith to encourage us in Jesus' Way of Love.  That’s Ridgewood Baptist Church.

Ridgewood Baptist Church is in the midst of a big renovation, not just of its building, but of itself as a church family.  We’re honing our message.  We’re stepping out and declaring who we are as a unique church in southwest Louisville:  We are a progressive voice of faith.
What does “a progressive voice of faith” mean? “Progressive” goes beyond conservative or liberal to focus on what God wants to do in the world today.  It takes Jesus’ prayer seriously, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.”
At Ridgewood we’re called by God to offer a positive, liberating word of love and hope to people in our community.  We want people to have a healing relationship with God.  We’re called to worship God in ways that are meaningful, spirited, and genuine. We’re called to follow Jesus, who is more than a get-out-of-hell card for individuals, but a Savior who is looking for followers who will embody His message and Spirit for the world. We’re called to reach out and help others in need, believing that Jesus was serious when he said, “when you did it to one of the least of these in my family, you did it to me.”  We’re called to teach the Bible in ways that take the scriptures seriously, that invites hard questions and doesn’t shun doubts.  As someone said, “doubt is the ants in the pants of faith.” We’re called to create a community of love where all are accepted and welcomed, where honest sharing of lives can stand alongside the study of the Bible, and even having fun together in order to make our lives more whole and holy.

We offer Bible Study for all ages 11:45 am on Sundays.
  • Children learn stories of the Bible in a safe, loving, fun atmosphere and begin to apply the Bible to their lives.
  • Youth wrestle with how God can make a difference in their lives.
  • Adult small groups look at the Bible with reverence and honest inquiry.  There are no “dumb questions,” nor are there questions that offend God. 
  • We study to grow deeper in faith, to recall how God has worked in the past, and to hear God’s desire for our lives as individuals and as a church.
Join us for Sunday Worship at 1:00 pm
Why 1:00 Worship?
  • We’ve partnered with Highland Baptist Church, a sister congregation in our city, to bring leadership and energy to us.  Highland and Ridgewood are kindred spirit churches.
  • Part of what Highland shares with us is their pastors, Joe Phelps and Nina Maples.  They lead the 9:00 and 11:00 services at Highland, then come to Ridgewood for our service at 1:00 p.m.
  • But even though there’s a practical reason for a 1:00, we also think it meets a real human need!  Not everyone wants to get up early on Sunday morning and immediately go to church:
    • families with children
    • families who have to get up early every other day of the week
    • senior adults who don’t move around well in the morning
    • folk who work late on Saturday
    • people who just want to take it slower and easier on Sunday morning

1:00 worship is not the only unique feature of Ridgewood, but we hope it does suggest that we’re not your typical Baptist church!

For example, Several years ago Ridgewood made the decision to remove itself from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).  We realized that the values, tone, and direction of Ridgewood were more inclusive, less strident, and definitely not fundamentalist. 
We welcome the chance to talk with you about our church and where God is leading us!  To schedule a time to visit together, contact Amanda at 935-1952.