When and where are services?

First Baptist Church of Florence holds Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. for Morning Worship and 6:00 p.m. for Evening Worship. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m. All services are at 300 S. Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/ )

What happens during a typical service, and how long does it last?

A typical Sunday morning service includes primarily traditional music with some contemporary praise songs, led by the choir and weekly soloists, followed by an expository sermon addressing everyday issues. It lasts about **65–75 minutes**. The evening service usually has congregational singing and a message, without the choir, and lasts about **one hour**. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about )

What is the worship format, and does it vary by service?

The worship format varies by service. Sunday morning worship is primarily traditional, with some contemporary praise songs, choir and weekly soloists, followed by expository preaching. Sunday evening is more condensed, usually without the choir, and includes congregational singing and a message from God’s Word. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about )

Can someone attend while exploring Christianity or questioning their beliefs?

Yes. You can attend while exploring or questioning. The church describes its outreach as reaching people with the Gospel and inviting them to receive Jesus, and says you can dress however you feel comfortable. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/our-history ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about )

Is registration required, or can someone simply arrive?

For the listed children’s programs, the website provides registration forms and does not say that walk-ins are accepted. For Music & Arts Camp, it asks families to return the form to the church; for VBS, it provides a registration form to submit. To confirm whether late or walk-in registration is possible, call the church at (843) 662-9451. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/empty-page8570f0cb ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/vacation-bible-school-registration-form )

Do children need advance registration, and can visiting families participate?

Yes. Please submit a separate VBS registration form for each child. The form asks which church your family attends, and the information provided doesn’t state that families must be church members, so visiting families can register too. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/vacation-bible-school-registration-form )

What denomination or network does the church belong to?

First Baptist Church of Florence is an autonomous church that cooperates with the Southern Baptist Convention, the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and the Florence Baptist Association. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about )

What are its stated core beliefs?

First Baptist Church of Florence states that it follows the Bible as God’s true and trustworthy revelation and models its faith and practice on the New Testament church. Its core beliefs include one triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; humanity’s creation in God’s image and sinfulness; salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; and the perseverance of true believers. It also affirms the local church, believer’s baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, evangelism and missions, and its stated beliefs about family, marriage, and human sexuality. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe )

How does it practice baptism and communion, and who can participate?

Baptism is by immersion in water and is for believers; it symbolizes faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection and the believer’s new life in Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s death and anticipation of his return; the church’s statement describes its participants as members. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe )

What roles can women hold in church leadership?

Women can serve in ministry leadership and staff roles—for example, as youth and missions coordinator, children’s director, and senior adult director. First Baptist states that women and men are gifted for church service, while the office of pastor is limited to men qualified by Scripture. The website does not specify whether women may serve as deacons. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/meet-the-staff )

What are its stated policies concerning LGBTQ people?

First Baptist Church of Florence’s stated beliefs define sex as male and female, say that rejecting one’s biological sex rejects the image of God, and teach that sexual intimacy is intended only for a man and woman married to each other, with marriage defined as a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. The church also says every person has dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. These statements do not specify separate policies about LGBTQ people’s membership or participation. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe )

Who leads the church, and how are leaders accountable?

First Baptist Church is led by its pastors and deacons. Its staff includes Senior Pastor Dr. Michael Crawford and Associate Pastor Rev. Harry Adkins. The church’s stated belief is that the pastoral office is limited to men qualified by Scripture. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe ) The church says each congregation operates under Christ’s lordship through democratic processes, and each member is responsible and accountable to Christ. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe )

Which recent sermons would help someone understand the teaching?

For understanding our teaching on evangelism and discipleship, these recent sermons are especially helpful: - **The opening message in the Mark series, “From Baptism to Ministry”** calls listeners to “repent and believe the gospel” and says God can use anyone willing to serve. ( [01:01:51 from September 21, 2026] ) - **A message from Mark 1 on Jesus’ healing and preaching** connects compassion for the community with meeting people’s needs and sharing the gospel with discernment. ( [45:08 from October 04, 2026] ) It also teaches that community ministry and church ministry should be centered on preaching the gospel of Jesus. ( [01:06:07 from October 04, 2026] ) - **The Mark message on prayer, priorities, and preaching** applies the Great Commission to making disciples: introducing people to Jesus, baptizing them, and teaching them to follow his commands. ( [59:30 from October 04, 2026] )

How does the church talk about sin, confession and forgiveness?

We teach that sin entered the human race through humanity’s choice to disobey God, and that Jesus’ death provides redemption from sin. Salvation is offered to those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe ) We call people to repent of their sins and believe the gospel. We also teach that sin cannot be removed by our own efforts: Jesus forgives and cleanses, and we are urged to confess our sins, trusting that God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us. ( [01:01:51 from September 21, 2026] ) ( [01:15:13 from October 11, 2026] ) ( [01:17:17 from October 11, 2026] ) We connect forgiveness with Jesus’ sacrifice: his blood cleanses us from unrighteousness, and the Lord’s Supper remembers that sacrifice. ( [01:06:26 from June 29, 2026] )

How does the teaching approach community and honesty with others?

We approach community with practical compassion and intentional outreach, while being honest by sharing the gospel and our own testimony plainly. We teach that meeting people’s needs can help prepare them to hear the gospel, and that discernment matters in knowing what to say and when. ( [45:08 from October 04, 2026] ) We’re also called not to stay silent out of fear or because we feel we don’t know everything, but to share our testimony. ( [01:16:07 from October 11, 2026] ) Honesty also includes acknowledging our own sin: we point to the call to confess sin and trust God’s forgiveness. ( [01:17:17 from October 11, 2026] ) The church describes its community outreach as sharing Christ’s love and the gospel, with verbal witness supported by a Christian lifestyle. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/our-history ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe )

How does the church approach doubt and suffering?

The church addresses doubt by grounding faith in Scripture and offering discipleship that helps people engage questions: its beliefs describe the Bible as true and trustworthy, and it has offered an apologetics class to equip believers to share Christ “boldly and confidently.” ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/newpage ) In our preaching, we encourage people who are confused to turn to Scripture and respond to God’s word, rather than leave faith as mere intellectual knowledge. We also teach that faith in Jesus is not a guarantee of getting the outcome we want: God may act differently than expected, but we can trust him to care for us and to work according to his will. ( [59:52 from September 28, 2026] ) ( [01:12:55 from October 11, 2026] ) We recognize that life includes trials and opposition, and we point to Jesus’ compassion as a model for responding to people who suffer—including meeting practical needs as well as sharing the gospel. ( [01:09:26 from October 11, 2026] ) ( [45:08 from October 04, 2026] )

How does the church approach faith and work?

First Baptist Florence presents faith as something lived out through service and witness, not confined to church gatherings. The church says followers of Jesus love and serve others, and that sharing the gospel should be supported by a Christian lifestyle. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about ; https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe ) In a sermon, we also teach that God can use people from varied backgrounds and call them to serve; the pastor gives the example of a man moving from military service to preaching. The emphasis is on being willing to serve, including in church and mission roles. ( [01:01:51 from September 21, 2026] ) We do not see a detailed, separate teaching about workplace vocation in the material provided, but the broader principle is to let faith shape how we serve and point others to Jesus.

Is an answer based on an official statement or an interpretation of sermons?

It depends on the answer: statements taken from the “What We Believe” page are official church statements; conclusions drawn from sermon messages are interpretations of sermon teaching. The website identifies its listed beliefs as doctrinal statements the church holds to be true. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/what-we-believe ) For example, the website officially states that baptism is immersion of a believer. By contrast, our sermon teaching that worship gathered as a congregation should include preaching the Word is an interpretation expressed in a sermon, not a statement from the beliefs page. ( [01:03 from October 04, 2026] )

Which groups currently meet, and when?

- **Children** meet every Wednesday at **6:00 p.m.** in the Hideout. The Sunday programs include Nursery (babies through kindergarten), Children’s Church (grades 1–3), and The Bridge (grades 4–5); the page doesn’t specify their times. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/children ) - **Senior Adult Ministry luncheons** are held on the **second Thursday of each month**. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/adults ) - **Senior Adult Sunday School at Florence Place** meets **every Sunday at 9:00 a.m.** ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/adults )

Are there groups or introductory gatherings open to newcomers?

Yes. The church lists several gatherings newcomers could ask about, though it doesn’t identify a specific newcomer-only introductory event. Senior adults meet for monthly SAM luncheons on the second Thursday, and children meet Wednesdays at 6 p.m. The church also says a college-student Discord small group is coming soon. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/adults ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/children ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/newpage ) For help finding a suitable next step, contact the church at (843) 662-9451 or info@fbcflorence.org. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about )

Can someone join groups or volunteer before becoming a member?

For volunteering, it appears you can get involved before becoming a member: the church invites people to explore next steps and says it’s eager to add people to its outreach ministries. The website doesn’t specify whether membership is required for particular groups or roles, so check with the church about the one you’re interested in. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/about ) ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/missions )

Who can answer a question the published information doesn't resolve?

Contact First Baptist Church of Florence at **(843) 662-9451** or **info@fbcflorence.org** for questions the published information doesn’t answer. ( https://www.fbcflorence.org/meet-the-staff )

First Baptist Church of Florence, SC

28s

#EternalSalvation

“when Jesus came in this world. He did not come to condemn us. He came to save us. And when we place our faith and trust in him, then we enter a different realm. We are no longer condemned to eternal, damnation. We are we are blessed with eternal salvation. And we have switched camps, if you will. We have a new eternal address.”

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42s

#AuthenticFaith

“There are many professed Christians in our church today professing their faith, but it is a false faith because they never truly believed in Jesus. There are many people today who desire forgiveness without repentance, redemption without sacrifice, sanctification without holiness, maturation without discipleship. It is a religion today that is absence of the cross. It is a Christianity without Christ. See, that's our crowd today, and we have to reach them for the cause of Christ.”

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34s

#WorshipWithPurpose

“Why are you here this morning? Because if you're here this morning and the the... There's an reason other than worshiping an almighty god, you are here for the wrong reason. There's no other reason for us to be here right now. Other benefits, yes. But our reason this morning is to praise god for who he is and what he's done, to praise god in song, in prayer, in the preaching of his word, not to find fault.”

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37s

#NewCovenant

“That's the picture they're giving here. You don't take a old wine skin that has been used over and over again, and you take new wine that is still fermenting, that is still causing an expanse to take place, so that it expands so much that the wineskin simply bursts open, and then everything is lost. The wineskin as well as the wine. And the image is the same. Jesus is saying, listen, There's a new covenant. It's me. And you can't add anything to me.”

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38s

#JesusSaves

“See, I had a a a incurable disease. You had an incurable disease. It's called sin. And there's nothing you personally can do about getting rid of that sin but Jesus And and when he touches our soul and cleanses us, makes us whole, when we do it through his word by his spirit, we're cleansed. And that incurable disease of sin is taken out of our lives.”

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43s

#MorningPrayer

“If Jesus felt the need to rise early and spend time with his father in heaven, how much more do you need to? How much more do I need to? I'm not saying you have to get up early. If if thou shalt not get up early, thou shalt go to that place of condemnation. That's not what the the passage is saying. But Jesus got up early before daybreak after a long day so he can spend time with his father in prayer. And and I'm here to tell you if the perfect son of God spends time early in the morning in prayer with his father, how much more do you and I need to do so also?”

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50s

#JesusTransformsLives

“I find it fascinating that Jesus chose fishermen. You see, he didn't choose them because they were the best at something. He didn't choose them because they were important. All people are important. Jesus didn't choose them because they had the right family connections. Jesus chose them because he knew what he would do in transforming their life to follow him. I've heard sermons preached about, the qualities of a fisherman and how those qualities were why Jesus chose them. Listen, you we you can say that all you want, but listen, they brought nothing to the table. Jesus brought everything. Jesus chose them because of what he would do to change their lives.”

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51s

“I'm not talking about not knowing our direction, someone who does not know how to read a map to get us there. 18 inches is the approximate distance from the head to the heart. Anatomically, it's the approximate distance from the head to the heart. And there are gonna be many people who miss heaven by 18 inches because their intellect never turned to belief. Their intelligence, their it's all about me. Their pride never allowed them to repent and receive. And the warning is simply this, don't put off what needs to be done right here, right now.”

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First Baptist Church of Florence, SC

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