Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)

Category:

Identity

What kind of church is Tate Springs and how are you governed?
How long has the church been around?

Q. What kind of church is Tate Springs and how are you governed?
A. Tate Springs is a Southern Baptist church uniquely aligned with the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention.  Conservative and evangelical, we subscribe to the Baptist Faith and Message and practice congregational polity.  Southern Baptists recognize the autonomy of the local church and value cooperation among churches as compared to any denominational hierarchy of operation or power.  Tate Springs has two executive committees, personnel and finance, which meet monthly and bring recommendations to the body for congregational vote.  Our pastor has managerial autonomy over the staff but together they operate as servants to the church and do not make autocratic decisions without committee approval or deacon body counsel.  The church family holds quarterly town hall meetings where disclosure and dialogue are commonplace on the operations and direction of the church.  If you are interested, you can click here to download a copy of our church constitution and bylaws.

Q. How long has the church been around?
A.  Tate Springs was founded in 1882, long before Arlington was an incorporated city, and has served the community for the last 127 years.  For a history of our church, you can check out history under the "about us" tab.     

Membership

How do I become a member of Tate Springs Baptist Church?
Is there a forum where I can learn more about the church before joining?
Joining a new church can be intimidating - what are the first steps toward becoming involved?

Q. How do I become a member of Tate Springs Baptist Church?
A. People can join our church in one of three ways:  

1.  Profession of Faith – by deciding to trust in Christ as Savior and Lord, and being baptized by immersion after salvation.

2.  Transfer of Letter – by "moving" membership from another church which believes in salvation by faith alone and which practices baptism by immersion after one’s salvation.

3.  Statement – by confessing that you have received Christ as Savior and Lord, having been baptized by immersion after salvation.

To join, you simply present yourself to one of the ministerial staff during the "invitation" of a Sunday morning service.  This is the time that our pastor offers at the end of the sermon for people to respond.  When you come forward, you will be greeted by one of the staff who will ask you what kind of decision you would like to make and who will pray with you.  An encourager will be able to visit with you further in our parlor to register your decision and answer any questions you might have.  If you are have been visiting our church and are interested in more information about our heritage, organization, and ministries, please check out our Discover Tate Classes.  The content and schedule of those classes is detailed under the appropriate tab in the FAQ section of the web page.   

Q. Is there a forum where I can learn more about the church before joining?
A. Yes. The church offers an opportunity for both prospects and new members to learn more about the church through a class we call "Discover Tate."  In that forum, you can hear about the church's history, our denominational affiliations, our ministries, our doctrinal beliefs and opportunities for you to serve.  Our pastor leads this class and also takes time to present the church's vision, the current budget and answer whatever questions the class may have.  If you are interested in attending our next Discover Tate class, click here to email our staff to request more information. You will be contacted with a class schedule and registration information.

Q. Joining a new church can be intimidating - what are the first steps toward becoming involved?
A. The pastor and his wife along with some of our staff wives have monthly receptions in the pastor's home for new members.  This is a relaxed forum and offers the opportunity to become better acquainted with other new members and with some of our staff.  Finding a Sunday School class is one of the most important first steps in finding your place in a new church.  Personal relationships are built in small groups and we encourage every new member to find a peer group to experience community and to grow in their faith.  Our Sunday morning Bible Study groups have regular fellowships which offers another wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted and make new friends.  





 




  
      

Times

What is your Sunday morning schedule?

Q. What is your Sunday morning schedule?
A. Bible Study:  9:00 AM
Morning Worship:  10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Adult Discipleship:  4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
AWANA's:  4:30 PM - 6:00 PM 

Worship

What kind of worship services do you offer on Sunday morning and what should I expect?
What about my kids? What options do I have for them during the services?
What should I wear?
What about Sunday nights? What programing is available?
Do you have mid-week services? What is available on Wednesday nights?
What do the youth do on Wednesdays?

Q. What kind of worship services do you offer on Sunday morning and what should I expect?
A. Tate Springs currently offers one Sunday morning worship service which begins at 10:30 AM.  A blended worship approach includes both the old and the new, recognizing the value of traditional hymns as well as the newer contemporary choruses and songs.  Choral and symphonic instrumentation help usher worshippers into God's presence every week in a celebratory service which includes a dedicated prayer time prior to the preaching of God's Word.   Our services are 1 hour and 15 minutes and do not include any intentional recognition of guests during the services.   

Q. What about my kids? What options do I have for them during the services?
A. Tate Springs values families and wants you to have autonomy and be comfortable with the care offered to your children.   A full nursery facility for bed babies and crawlers is available in close proximity to the worship center.  Pagers are issued to parents should anything arise that would require your attention.  Extended care options are also available for children through Pre-K with a lesson and activity planned to coincide during the worship services.  All of these activities are in the same building as the worship center.  For children in Kindergarten through fourth grade, a children's church option is available which allows kids to worship in a high energy and active environment.   Our children's church option is located at our extended campus located at 4001 Little Road. For more information on our children's church, please click the link below and you will be directed to that page.

Q. What should I wear?
A. Tate Springs is a comfortable church and not formal or stuffy.  While some of our folks wear suits or sport coats, they are the exception rather than the rule.  Casual dress is common and you will not be out of place in blue jeans or slacks.  

Q. What about Sunday nights? What programing is available?
A. Sunday nights are full of options with all programing starting at 4:30 PM and concluding at 6:00 PM.  For children we offer AWANA's, a popular program emphasizing Scripture memory in a fun and active environment with high energy games and activities.  For students, discipleship opportunities and a time of fellowship is available in a new, state-of-the-art student building located at 4001-B Little Road.   For adults, a wide variety of discipleship classes are available on the main campus located at 4201 Little Road.  For a full listing of classes, check out our discipleship link under the ministries tab or click the link below.   

Q. Do you have mid-week services? What is available on Wednesday nights?
A. Tate Springs Baptist Church serves an affordable mid-week fellowship meal on Wednesdays starting at 5:00 PM.  At 6:00 PM there is a mid-week worship service in the sanctuary which concludes at 7:00 PM.  Bible Buddies, Bible Drill and Speakers are three programs majoring on Scripture memory and extemporaneous speaking.  These programs are for children ages ____ to _____ and meet from _____ to ______.   Children's choir has been expanded and offers singing, drama, missions, media and even STOMP, a high energy rhythmic praise activity for your kids.  This programming is geared for children ages 3 years to 6th grade with classes meeting from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM during the adult worship service.  If you are an adult interested in choir or orchestra, Wednesday nights are an important time of practice and preparation for the coming Sunday.  Choir and orchestra meets from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  For more information on these activities, check out the ministries tab on the menu bar above.    

Q. What do the youth do on Wednesdays?
A.  The student ministry has a separate worship service and fellowship time on Wednesday nights.  Complete with a youth band, worship time and message, Wednesday nights mark the high point of student's week as they enjoy time together, study the Word and blow off a little steam afterwards.  If you've never played JUNGLE PONG, you must come and check out Wednesdays at Tate Springs!  Worship starts at 6:15 PM on the second floor of 4001-B Little Road.