Historic Roots, Modern Mission
November 19, 2025
The First Baptist Church of Christ (FBCX) in Macon presents a compelling portrait of a long-standing Christian community that tries to actively support its heritage while embracing modern inclusivity and adaptation. Understanding this congregation means looking beneath the surface to see how its history, community, worship, and mission all come together to shape its identity and daily life. From its centuries-old roots, to the way it adapts to modern challenges by embracing inclusivity, utilizing technology, and adapting to an ever-changing world, FBCX demonstrates how tradition and progress can coexist. First Baptist Church of Christ is a distinct religious community defined by its synthesis of deeply rooted, traditional Baptist worship with a progressive, intentional commitment to radical social inclusion and modern technological engagement, allowing it to serve as a welcoming, hybrid space for a congregation dedicated to shared history and communal growth.
FBCX has a deeply rooted history in Macon as one of the oldest congregations in town, prominently highlighting its substantial heritage on its website with the declaration “200 Years!” marking its founding date in 1826. While the church is shaped by its past, a pivotal break from denominational norms has shaped its modern identity. A major turning point occurred in 1991 when the church made the crucial decision to break away from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). This split was primarily motivated by contentious issues such as the role of women in ministry. In the aftermath of this departure, the church became a founding and active church in the formation of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Beyond this formal institutional separation, the church has also undergone a period of internal transitions, particularly regarding its staff and property decisions, leading to a major period of change where the staff had a “completely blank slate.” Reverend Julie Long, who first came to the congregation as a college freshman in the spring of 1999, served in a variety of ministerial roles for approximately 25 years before becoming the Senior Pastor a little over a year ago. She was uniquely positioned to help guide the church through its transition due to her extensive shared history with the congregation and her knowledge of the people and the institutional systems. This long-term relationship between Rev. Long and the congregation creates a sense of shared history that helps contribute to strong bonds among members, especially those who have experienced key life moments, such as the birth of a child, illness, or the death of family members, alongside the church’s leadership.
First Baptist Church of Christ occupies a distinct physical space at the top of Poplar Avenue with a worship environment characterized by a strong adherence to traditional practices and architecture. The primary gathering space is a large, spacious sanctuary marked by its traditional appearance, featuring rows of red velveted-cushioned pews and colorful stained-glass windows. The front of the room centers the pulpit, choir area, and organ. Each pew is stocked with resources, including pamphlets, contact information, offering envelopes, a Bible, and hymnals. Additionly, the church has information on what to expect on their website to welcome visitors. The main entrance of the church is beautifully marked with a short staircase leading to the door. Surrounded by the beautiful architecture of the church, members of the congregation enter the church office door situated in a small corner behind the main building, closest to the parking lot. The office door can be a little challenging for new members and visitors to find on a church campus with four interconnected buildings. The church also has a dedicated children’s area and a place where they conduct Sunday school for children on early Sunday mornings.
The worship and religious practices at FBCX are highly structured and formal, rooted deeply in traditional ceremony while incorporating elements that foster participation, education, and modern accessibility. Services consistently commence around 11:00 a.m. with the “Sounding of the Hour,” marked by the organ playing and an acolyte lighting the altar candles. The meticulous order of worship is clearly detailed in a printed bulletin, which helps guide the congregation through the proceedings and references the books full of hymns and songs found in each pew. The prelude involves the choir entering in pairs, setting a reverent tone. Core practices include a Call to Worship, the singing of a Hymn of Praise (such as “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” or “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”), and an invocation that often concludes with the communal recitation of the Gloria Patri. Worship music is traditional, led by hymns, and enhanced by a choir, organ, and piano, which contribute an elegant tone to the service.
A unique and consistent practice is the children’s message, during which time elementary-age children gather at the front of the sanctuary for a short lesson, ensuring the sermon’s message is conveyed in a way that is easier for them to understand, before they return to their families.
Sacraments and rituals, such as Communion, are conducted in an orderly manner, with visitors explicitly invited to take part in receiving bread and juice. Sermons, typically delivered by Reverend Long, center on significant theological themes. During our visits, sermons addressed ideas like healing and hope (“In the Same Song”), gratitude (“A Reorientation Toward Gratitude”), and the importance of prayer (“Till the Cows Come Home”). The Church consciously creates space in worship to foster a close relationship with God through spiritual practices, emphasizing relationship over a checklist of duties, and promoting listening to God for guidance and clarity. Giving and stewardship are formalized through a dedicated “Stewardship Moment,” collection by ushers using plates, and the contemporary choice of online payment via QR codes printed on bulletins. Furthermore, the church also offers an introductory program called FBCX 101 for newcomers, which is explicitly designed to educate attendees on the church’s core values, vision, and their Baptist identity. The congregation, while structured, also fosters a welcoming atmosphere. Members readily assure visitors who appear confused or uncertain, effectively guiding them through the service.
The congregation of FBCX embodies the unique characteristics of a historic southern church that embraces progressive ideals. The congregation is predominantly white, and although they lack racial diversity, they are visibly inclusive as seen by the presence of LGBTQ+ members. Reverend Long, who has been involved with the church since her time as a Mercer student 25 years ago, described their membership as smaller than it has been in the past but noted an increased diversity of denominational backgrounds. She explained that many new members are former United Methodists or Disciples of Christ that were drawn to the church because of the progressive social stance and affirming theology.
Despite a declining younger demographic, the church nurtures a strong intergenerational community. Roughly two-thirds of members on a typical Sunday might be described as seniors, while the remaining third is made up of middle-aged adults, families with children, and a small number of college-aged members. Children are deeply integrated into worship, serving as acolytes and actively engaging with older members of the congregation. Fellowship events such as Wednesday night dinners, and church picnics intentionally bridge age gaps and create an intergenerational family-like atmosphere. Through these practices, FBCX sustains crucial social bonds and preserves a familial feel despite demographic shifts in an evolving congregation.
Even as the congregation evolves, FBCX remains rooted in its Baptist heritage. Worship follows a traditional Baptist service centered on hymns, responsive readings, and sermons grounded in scripture. Observation of Sunday services revealed well-organized rituals grounded in tradition, such as the “Sounding of the Hour.” The Chancel Choir, directed by Dr. Stanley Roberts, plays a vital role in leading the congregation through classic hymns and choral pieces reinforcing a sense of tradition. Together, these practices reflect how FBCX harmonizes its traditional Baptist background with a commitment to progressive and inclusive ideals.
FBCX maintains a multifaceted public presence and outreach strategy, integrating traditional community engagement with modern technology and a progressive social stance. The church’s commitment to extending its reach beyond its physical sanctuary is evident in its robust electronic and remote participation options, as multiple cameras consistently placed around the sanctuary stream the service online. This live stream feature has continued since the COVID-19 pandemic and is a crucial way the church connects with its homebound members and those who are traveling. Although the online audience is generally smaller than the in-person audience, it is a vital tool for connecting with existing congregants. The oldest senior adult Sunday school class also actively uses the hybrid format and zoom to maintain connection with homebound members. This in turn demonstrates the church’s adaptation to ensure accessibility. The church also utilizes digital technology for announcements and financial transactions, providing QR codes on each bulletin for members to access information, sign up for events, and pay online.
Beyond digital communication, the church demonstrates a strong public-facing commitment to social values and community life. Outreach extends to tangible community service, such as working on a project to help those in need by collecting special offerings through shoe boxes. The church hosts numerous community events aimed at building connections across generations, including the annual Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat with inflatables and a cake walk. Other frequent church wide fellowship gatherings include activities like picnics or chili cook-offs, and smaller-scale social events like a Women’s Book Club and Family Pizza Night. The church also organizes specific ministries for various age groups (children, youth, college, adults, music, missions), and senior outreach initiatives like “Brain Games” that allow seniors to work together to fulfill activities that challenge and stimulate their mind. Finally, the church maintains an inter-church presence, participating in a group of downtown churches that organizes collaborative efforts, such as an annual Thanksgiving service.
In recent years, FBCX has navigated several key challenges ranging from demographic decline and cultural change to social controversies and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the church adapted quickly by holding online and outdoor services, maintaining community connectedness through creative means such as recorded videos of the children in the congregation for Palm Sunday, and other virtual gatherings. These adaptations, once temporary, have become permanent fixtures in the church’s life.
Another permanent adaptation in the church’s life and one of the most defining moments in its recent history was its public decision to become a fully inclusive and affirming congregation for LGBTQ+ individuals. This choice followed months of roundtable discussions, theological reflection and small group conversations designed to ensure that all voices were heard. While the decision led to the painful departure of some long-time members, it also attracted new ones seeking a welcoming church home. Reverend Long acknowledged this as a transformation, one that clarifies the church’s mission to embody Christ’s loves through radical inclusion and empathy. In the broader Macon faith community, the church stands out as a progressive Baptist witness, continuing to collaborate with neighboring congregations while maintaining its unique social stance with its mission statement, featured on its website, explicitly including the charge to “Nurture. Love. Serve. ALL.”
First Baptist Church of Christ represents a distinctive model of religious continuity and adaptation within the Baptist tradition. Its sustained commitment to preserving historical identity while engaging with contemporary theological ideals displays the congregations balance between heritage and progress. Through its traditional worship practices, and emphasis on hymns, FBCX maintains a close connection to its roots; while, at the same time, demonstrating adaptability through its incorporation of technology, intergenerational worship efforts, and a commitment to inclusivity. Together these qualities make FBCX a compelling case study of how established faith communities can navigate cultural change without compromising theological and communal integrity.
Breland Hill is a sophomore majoring in neuroscience.
Lucelie Castillo is a sophomore majoring in neuroscience.
The Macon Religious Communities Project 