Tom Bandy in Moving Off the Map describes core values as "the preferences or choices that are consistently prioritized in the behavior of the participants." They are deliberate but also spontaneous. They can be observed within and beyond the church at home, work and play. In our process, we affirmed the following core values.

• Love for God
• Hope for God's mission (through us)
• Inclusive ministry (where all are welcome)
• Dedication to spirtual growth
• Blend of tradition and innovation
• Christ-centered community
• Bearers of the Good News of Christ

Because our mission is to be light to the world that attracts others to receive God’s grace, it is imperative that our love overflow in knowledge and full insight. That is the nature of our love. We speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Our relationships are based upon:
1.      trust
2.      creative tension
3.      commitment to our mission
4.      mutual accountability
5.      measurable results

These are the marks of genuine community and must be clearly evident in our leadership community. If the leadership is operating as a community, such depth of positive relationship becomes a model for the rest of the church family.

Worship. Another way to describe Christian worship is to defer all energy to lifting up Jesus Christ. It is the motive and the end of our discipleship education, fellowship or body life, and mission or outreach. To worship is to bow down so that the object of our worship, Jesus Christ is above us in the place of honor. In the context of worship, we grow deep in our relationship with Christ and one another. It follows that the light of Christ shines in us.

Discipleship and Education. We are becoming a Biblically literate people, in heart and action. We are expressive in public worship. We are passionate about private worship. We are becoming knowledgeable about ourselves, our strengths and growth areas. We are defining and developing our spiritual gifts and following the calling God has placed upon us to use those gifts. We are nurturing the next generation in Christian discipleship. All  persons in leadership are being intentionally discipled through personal spiritual direction or are involved in a small group which is focused on growing deeply into Christ. This includes all officers, anyone in the leadership community, on a ministry team, teaching or facilitating a ministry. 

Fellowship and Body Life. People who enjoy being together and care for one another characterize a healthy church. The first and most natural place to receive care is from the groups with which a person is growing in discipleship and/or sharing in ministry. A pastoral care team will be able to offer more specialized help when it is deemed appropriate.

The Leadership Community provide oversight to the ministry of the church including all financial and building and grounds decisions. All other ministries (discipleship, fellowship and outreach) are led through ministry teams that worship together, plan together, serve together and care for one another as well as those whom they serve. Spiritual discernment and humility characterize this community. The Leadership Community will meet at least monthly. Each ministry team reports to a leader who brings the concerns of that team to the Leadership Community for spiritual discernment when decisions must be made. It will not be unusual for a ministry leader to come to counsel with the Leadership Community when appropriate. One of the Leaders is church moderator

All ministry team leaders gather quarterly for a day of edification and coordination of ministries. We call this gathering Ekklesia. We encourage all members and friends of the church to gather together. This gathering can include a facilitator called in for the day to give special focus. Sharing what God is doing, vision for respective ministries and prayer will be part of the day.

Because Baptists are congregational by nature, all of the ministries of the church are accountable to the congregation which meets annually to receive reports, consider budgets and elect officers

Mission and Outreach. A healthy church is naturally attractive to those who are yet to know Christ and be drawn into the body of Christian disciples. It also does intentional work to reach into the community, region and world. (Acts 1:8) Outreach teams coordinate our mission to the world beyond the circle of our worshipping community.

There are several things I love about First Baptist Church of Pitman. One of the things that I treasure the most is that I have been given the opportunity to expand my spiritual growth. First Baptist offers the opportunity for growing deeper in the word of God through prayer, study, fellowship, and service.  Growing deeper in my faith has been the most amazing journey. The people at First Baptist are also one of the very special reasons that make this church one of a kind. To be given the chance to build relationships with the people of the church as well as the pastor has been a true gift. 

                - Lesli Scull

Pitman was founded in 1871 as a Camp Meeting where people gathered for preaching and prayer and fellowship during the summer months. The Tabernacle in Pitman Grove is still at the center of the community. After the town was incorporated in 1905, churches other than the founding Methodist congregation began to form. First Baptist Church was founded as the Pitman Baptist Church in 1909 after "Sister Trout" went from door to door to find the Baptists living in the Camp Meeting town. They puirchased the building no longer used by the Arbutus Hill Methodist Church and began to worship there. The building was moved further back on the property in 1922 and the expansion began. In 1955, we had quite a growing education ministry so the expansion continued with the education wing. The building was given a brick facade and a colonial feel was developed in the architecture.

Historically, we have been involved in outreach to our community. Fig Leaf in the 1970s was a thrift store established in Pitman Grove to make clothing and household articles available to community residents who needed a more economical store than much of the down town provided. Housewives Holiday in the 1960s was a ministry to help women learn the basics in family care while allowing them to have some fun being together in the church. Our Youth Ministries have always attracted youth beyond the families of the church.