Original Free Will Baptist Church Government
Little Rock Original Free Will Baptist is a part of a unique form of church government that is described as representation by delegation. Delegates from each congregation are sent to the annual conference meetings which are held in the fall of the year. Little Rock is a part of the Western Conference of Original Free Will Baptsts. This may seem unusual because we are not located in the western part of the state. The original conference lines were established based upon the railroad system in Eastern North Carolina. As Original Free Will Baptists, the local conference is the highest tribunal for church government. This is different from local church autonomy which places full governance in the hands of the congregation. Each local congregation is able to conduct its own ministry including the hiring of its pastor, but is responsible to the conference in matters of doctrine, discipline, etc.
While our church has its own bylaws for matters of internal structure and ministry, we agree to
abide by the statement of faith of the Original Free Will Baptist Church known as the Articles of
Faith and Principles of Church Government for Original Free Will Baptists (of the English General Baptist Heritage). Copies of this resource are available free of charge in the narthex (entry area) of the sanctuary.
Western Conference – The conference handles matters of church and ministerial discipline, and
holds the credentials of those who are ordained to the Gospel ministry. Other conferences
include: Albemarle, Eastern, Central, Cape Fear, Pee Dee, Piedmont, and Paul Palmer.
Each May, the local churches send delegates to the University of Mount Olive for the Annual Convention. This gathering is for the purpose of worship, fellowship, and carrying out of the ministries and business of the denomination.
OFWB Denominational Ministries
- University of Mount Olive – a liberal arts institution founded in 1951 which offers numerous degrees in areas such as religion, education, and agriculture
- OFWB International (Foreign Missions) – provides Gospel ministries in places such as Mexico, the Philippines, and Africa
- Retirement Homes – offers resources to help OFWBs find affordable housing and care including access to medical equipment, free of charge
- Christian Education – supplies churches with resources related to Sunday school and other discipleship ministries
- Cragmont Assembly – a facility in Black Mountain, NC which provides a place for summer camps, church retreats, and various conferences
- OFWB Convention – oversees the overall administration of the OFWB denomination
- Children’s Home – a home located in Middlesex, NC which provides ministries to children and youth who have been removed from homes due to various circumstances
- Church Planning and Renewal – begins new church ministries (including Hispanic) and provides revitalization resources for struggling congregations
- Minister’s Program – supplies resources to ministers and congregations on matters of compensation, retirement, etc.
- Church Finance Association – makes loans available to congregations for various projects
- OFWB Press – operates a Christian store in Ayden, NC, produces quarterly Sunday school materials, and offers printing services
Original Free Will Baptist Denominational Offerings
On the fourth Sunday of each month, we have a second offering which is received at the door for the benefit of our denominational work. Each ministry is designated a specific month (or two) by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists as follows
- January – Retirement Homes
- February – Christian Education
- March – OFWB International
- April – Church Planting and Renewal (CPR)
- May – Children’s Home
- June – Cragmont Assembly
- July – University of Mount Olive
- August – OFWB Convention
- September – Church Planting and Renewal (CPR)
- October – Minister’s Program
- November – OFWB Press
- December – OFWB International
As Original Free Will Baptists, we agree to support the work of these denominational ministries through our giving. The second offerings on fourth Sundays help supplement the amounts budgeted for each ministry.