What We Believe

Located in Burlington, Iowa (U.S.A.), Burlington Baptist Church is a family of followers of Jesus Christ who desire to glorify God by making disciples and sharing the gospel with everyone around us. Always reforming our minds (beliefs and thoughts) and our lives (words and actions) to the Bible, we are a group of committed disciples who are striving to love God, love one another, and love our community well. 


We firmly believe in the importance of teaching the Bible in a clear, relevant, and life-changing way.  Because God's Word is authoritative and good, we desire to honor God by knowing His all-sufficient Word and applying it to every facet of our lives.


No matter where you are at in life, whether you are a non-Christian who is curious, a newer Christian, or a long time believer, there is a place for you here at Burlington Baptist. We would love to have you come visit us and consider joining what God is doing among us as we enjoy God's grace together. Come just as you are- you are welcome here!


As members of the Southern Baptist Convention, our church articulates and holds to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as our Statement of Faith.  Please follow the link for a detailed document highlighting with scriptural references the teachings we believe.

http://www.sbc.net/bfm2000/bfm2000.asp


How We Grow

Our Mission

The mission of Burlington Baptist Church is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. God’s mission and the mission of His Church are bound together. 

If God’s mission is to be glorified by redeeming people from darkness into His marvelous light through reconciliation, the Church’s mission must orient around the glory of God and seek to glorify Him through redemption and reconciliation.


our vision

Our vision is to be a church of grace-filled people, empowered by God's transforming power for community transformation, so that the Gospel is faithfully transferred from person to person and generation to generation until Jesus returns. As Jesus Christ works in and through us to fulfill our mission and pursue our vision, we desire to see results in three areas: Our Community and World Transformed, New Churches Formed, and the Next Generation Empowered.


growth through community

The Gospel is ultimately about humanity being restored to fellowship with the Triune God. Not only are we reconciled to God, but also to one another- our former enemies. As a culture of confession, transformation, friendship, forgiveness, justice, power, and love springs up in the lives of normal people, those who don’t know Christ will be compelled to ask what God is doing. Though we view our Sunday morning large group Gathering as our primary and central meeting for the week, Life Groups and Sunday School are essential parts of our church.  Life Groups provide a place where fellowship thrives, real questions can be asked, and better support can be given for one another.  Sunday School provides a formative, lecture driven atmosphere to focus on diving deeper into the truths of the scriptures.



missional living

Since we believe that every member is a disciple, and every disciple is called to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), we enthusiastically share the gospel not only with those who already believe but also with those who have yet to. Through the rhythms of life we seek to be intentional in sharing the gospel in both word and deed. A missional lifestyle compels us to boldly participate in advancing the gospel in the town of Burlington, in the state of Iowa, in the United States, and even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).


The Purpose of the Local Church (from Pastor Kendall)

The purpose of the church is to carry out the commandments of the NT to preach the gospel of reconciliation (Luke 24:47-48; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:18-21).  As believers we should be going out into our work places, neighborhoods and streets to share the gospel.  Believers should be active in witnessing to others (Matt. 24:13; Mark 13:10; Rom. 1:16; 11:28; 1 Cor. 1:17; 4:15; 9:23; 8:18; Gal. 2:5, 14; Phil. 1: 5, 7, 12, 16, 27; 4:3, 15; 1 Thess. 2:4; 2 Tim. 1:8).


     Along with the call to proclaim the gospel is the call to baptize those who make a profession of faith in Christ (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:44-48).  Baptism does not save a person, but rather is a proclamation of identification of a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.  The NT teaches that there is salvation apart from baptism (Luke 13:3, 5; 15:7; John 3:16-18; 5:24; Acts 16:30-31; Rom. 10:8-10; I John 5:10-12).  Yet it is plain and simple that believers should be obedient to Christ's command to be baptized (Matt. 28:19).  The word "baptize" literally means "to immerse".  All of the NT references to baptism involve immersion (John 3:23; Mark 1:10; Acts 8:36-39).


     Another function of the church is the edification and nurturing of believers.  God has given every believer a gift to bring edification to the church (1 Cor. 1:12; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).  More specifically God has placed elders (pastors/teachers) in the church for shepherding and teaching sound doctrine (Eph. 4:11-14; I Tim 3:2; 4:6; 5:17; Titus 1:7-9).  Deacons also are a special office and serve the local body (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13).


     I believe all believers play a part in fulfilling the great commission to make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20).  In a unique way a pastor can cultivate relationships specifically with those in the local church that need to be discipled themselves who in return disciple others.  Paul told Timothy that, "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of may witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2).  We seek in our ministry to have an eye for those who have a desire to be personally discipled and who will then in return disciple others.