The First Baptist Church of Austin

Who reviews churches? Based on what? This all seems a bit strange to me. It’s even more strange, because I’m far from an objective observer since FBC is my community of faith.
So, here’s my incredibly subjective and mostly strange attempt to review a place that’s not about offering services but hopefully about being a community.
Warm? Yes. Welcoming? Yes. A good place to recover from guilt-​laden, harmful theology? Yes. baptist, with a little b? Yes (meaning we like people from all streams of faith). Thoughtful? Yes. Compassionate? Yes. Progressive? Yes.
Here’s the thing about FBC. On the surface at first glance people may see a traditional church that sings hymns and prays a communal confession, so the culture may feel a bit stodgy or remind them of old-​school Baptist churches. But when you engage the community you’ll quickly find that FBC is full of gracious, genuine people of faith and life. FBC is a great place to explore doubt, hard questions of life and faith, to recover from abusive theology, and to learn to take the actual life and practices of Jesus seriously.
I would say that FBC places belonging first. We are a place where anyone should feel welcome, wanted, and treated with dignity. That’s not a cover for a bait and switch, come to us so we can make you like us. My experience is that in any given room you’ll find people of all walks of life, with different political, social, and theological views who gather around community.
Second, FBC is about learning to serve and «be the change we want to see in the world.» Faith to us is about living out grace and love, not forcing beliefs onto people.
Last, what we believe is important to us. At the heart of FBC’s gathered life that seeks to live out what Jesus actually taught is the proclamation that Jesus is Lord. FBC is continually wrestling with its beliefs in order to be faithful to the bible, the tradition of our ancient faith, as well as the changing culture and reality we live in. As mentioned before, FBC is a great place to struggle and wrestle with belief as the seeking of truth is guided by the good questions, not just having simple answers.
As for the two star review, it cracked me up that someone would give FBC a review based on the inability to give money online. Haha, usually people seem to get turned off when churches are asking for money. Just found it ironic.

I felt welcome in your sanctuary recently for a secular event. I was compelled to support a particular ministry based on my experience that evening, even though I’m not a member – or even a Baptist, for that matter.
I changed my mind when I learned your online payment service does not accept credit or debit. We’re simply not that close.