Worship at Wilshire is structured in an intentional way. Here are some answers to common questions about our worship format and practices:

Q. Why don't you have projection screens, and why don't you sing choruses instead of hymns?

A. Wilshire follows a more traditional Christian worship format that is not as heavily influenced by contemporary trends as the worship style of other churches. We seek to connect the past with the future by singing hymns that have resonated with the church through the ages, while also incorporating newer hymns of the same enduring style. We sing from hymnals, in part, to emphasize the musicality of the worship experience. The hymnal encourages worshippers to sing in parts, blending voices in a symbolic act of unity.

Q. Why are there so many people on the platform on Sunday mornings?

A. The answer is theological more than practical. Because Baptists believe every Christian stands before God without need of a priest or other intermediary, clergy are not considered the only leaders in worship. The intentional mixture of clergy and laity in worship leadership demonstrates weekly the common ground on which we approach this task. Likewise, others on the platform do not "clear the deck" when it's time for the sermon, because the pastor does not speak in isolation. Their presence symbolizes the community of faith that surrounds the entirety of the worship experience.

Q. Why do you read so much Scripture in worship?

A. Following the tradition of the larger Christian church through the centuries, we normally include both an Old Testament and New Testament reading in worship. One or both texts will relate to the topic of the morning sermon. Sometimes, we will have a Gospel reading in addition to the New Testament reading, drawing from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Q. Why do you stand for the reading of the Gospels?

A. This symbolizes the priority given to the four Gospels, which tell of the life and ministry of Jesus on earth. The Bible is not a flat text to be read with equal emphasis on every part. We read the Bible through the lens of the Gospels, particularly the words of Jesus.

Q. Who determines the texts to be read each Sunday?

A. Worship leaders at Wilshire follow what is known as the church year--a cycle of annual markers beginning with Advent. In this context, three one-year cycles of Scripture lessons have been outlined and adopted by large segments of the Christian church as a means to progress systematically through the Bible. Most Sundays, the sermon text at Wilshire is drawn from one of that week's predetermined Scriptures. For more about the church year, click here.

Q. What is baptism?

A. For Baptists, baptism is an act in which the Christian symbolically re-enacts the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, as a means of publicly identifying with Jesus. Often, the pastor will say to the baptismal candidate, "You are buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life." Through baptism, the believer signifies determination to die to sin and walk forward in the forgiveness of Christ. Baptism is a one-time act that is only symbolic. We do not believe baptism is essential to salvation, although it is strongly encouraged as a way to follow the witness of Jesus, who himself was baptized by John in the Jordan River .

Q. Why don't you baptize infants?

A. In Baptist theology, baptism is for believers only. Since it is not an act that has saving power itself, it has no merit for any other than those who already have professed faith in Jesus Christ. We do not baptize infants, because they are not capable of making a personal decision to follow Christ. For the same reason, we do not baptize young children. For more on baptism, click here to jump to the What We Believe section.

Q. What is the meaning of the child dedications often done at the end of worship?

A. The family and the congregation join together to pledge mutual support to raise the child in the nurture of the church, looking forward to the day on which the child will choose for himself or herself to follow Christ.

Q. What is the Lord's Supper?

A. The Lord's Supper, also called "communion" in some Christian traditions, is a symbolic act in which we remember the sacrifice of Christ's body and blood on our behalf. Deacons serve the congregation pieces of bread and small cups of grape juice, reminiscent of Jesus' last supper with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. In the Baptist tradition, we view the elements at the table as symbolic, not the literal body and blood. All who profess faith in Christ are welcome to partake of the Lord's Supper, regardless of church membership. Use the quiet moments of the Lord's Supper service to silently confess sin, accept God's forgiveness and be reminded of the gift of salvation brought through Christ's death and resurrection.