Letter from the Pastor
I would like to take this opportunity to greet you and extend a warm welcome to you. I would encourage you to take a few moments to look over the many ways that Bethlehem Church can minister to you and your family.
We welcome the opportunity to introduce you to the expanding ministry that God has established at Bethlehem Church. We trust that you will sense that our church is a caring community of believers in Jesus Christ who minister in a variety of ways to encourage you in God's love.
It is my desire that you would see not only an extensive ministry that you can draw from, but also a positive opportunity for involvement if you would join with us.
As pastor, I am committed to serving you as you join the Bethlehem Church family. It is both my privilege and my desire to shepherd the family of God so that they find maturity in Christ Jesus. I trust you will be blessed as you join with us.
Warmly, in Christ,
Kenneth F. Spence
Senior Pastor
How would you describe Bethlehem Church's worship style?
We recognize that God alone is worthy of our adoration, reverence, honor, and praise. We join on Sunday mornings to celebrate the love of the God of Heaven. The worship style at both of Bethlehem's campuses is blended, with a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Different groups from our Music and Worship Ministry lead us as we lift our voices in praise and adoration to God. As a congregation, we all work together to become one voice of praise to God, who is our audience. Our state-of-the-art multimedia system and technical crew support the worship service.
What kind of ministries are available for our family on Sunday morning?
The worship style at both campuses are identical, with a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Different speakers present the message each with at the two campuses. We have intentionally aimed all Sunday morning services at a broad cross-section of the community. To best meet the needs of your family, Bethlehem Church provides a nursery for infants at both campuses and a full Sunday School education program for all ages (children, youth, and adults) during both worship services at the Randolph Campus.
What do you have available for newcomers?
Guests are always welcome at Bethlehem Church! Stop by the Welcome Center in the foyer any time for information on many activities of interest to you or your family members.Newcomers are encouraged to sit in on Small Groups that match their interests or meet in their neighborhood, as a way of getting to know members of the congregation.
What facilities does Bethlehem Church offer?
Bethlehem Church's Randolph Campus is located on a 15-acre site, within about 25 minutes of any location in Morris County. In addition to a sanctuary seating 700, our building includes a large gym, library, full commercial kitchen, staff offices, music rooms, and large educational space. The building addition completed in early 2001 added 20,000 square feet of ministry space. The acreage allows parking facilities and a large recreation area including a full baseball/softball diamond.
Bethlehem Church's Cornerstone Campus is located in Morristown Township, NJ and is easily accessible to eastern morris county and points further east. This facility has sanctuary seating for 150, education and kitchen facilities and a separate youth building.
How would you describe Bethlehem Church's organization and governance?
Bethlehem is an independent congregation that is a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Our doctrinal position is aligned with the EFCA, and we are in fellowship with other EFree churches across America and around the world.
Our church government is local, autonomous, and congregational in form. We are organized with a single board of Elders whose members are elected to three-year terms by congregational vote. The Board stresses servant-leadership with its members. Other committees and commissions are formed and appointed as needed.
The pastoral staff is responsible for much of the day-to-day planning and organizing of the ministry, within the guidelines of established job descriptions and approved budgets. A large network of laypersons is involved in carrying out all aspects of the ministry of building disciples for Jesus Christ.
The congregation meets three times annually, to receive ministry and financial reports, consider and approve budgets, elect officers, and so forth. Special congregational meetings are called to act on the recommendations of the Search Committee and Board concerning the hiring of ministerial officials and for other purposes as needed.
