Membership

General This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist Church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  The membership retains unto itself the exclusive right of self-government of all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church. The membership reserves the exclusive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership. Admission of Members Any person may offer himself as a candidate for membership in this church.  All such candidates shall be presented to the church at any church service and voted on at any regularly scheduled business meeting.  Membership can be established in any of the following ways: By Baptism - Any person who confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and who is in essential agreement with the doctrine and practice of this church may be received into the fellowship of the congregation following baptism by immersion. By Letter - A person who is in substantial accord with the doctrine and practice of this church may be received by letter of commendation from any other church of like-faith. By Statement of Faith - A believer of worthy character who has formerly been a member of a church of like-faith and who, for a sufficient reason, cannot present a letter from that church but who is in substantial accord with the faith and practice of this church may be received upon statement of Christian experience. The Constitution and By-Laws provide rules for dealing with any membership candidate whose qualifications are questionable.  Thankfully, these guidelines have not been used for many years, if ever. Associate Membership Realizing the church's responsibility to minister to anyone desiring to be a part of a local church, persons of other denominations who wish to maintain their denominational identity may become associate members.  According to the church covenant, we expect those coming from Baptist churches, and churches of like faith to move their memberships by transfer of letter.  However, the transient nature of the English-speaking community often means persons of other denominations wish to be a part of a local church without changing their denominational affiliation.  Associates that are born-again believers may be received upon recommendation of the pastor and/or deacons.  They will be presented at any church service and voted on at regularly scheduled business meeting. Associate members may: Serve in the church as needed, except in areas where differences in doctrinal positions may be evident.  Associate members may not serve as Pastor, deacons, main or lead teachers, nor serve on the constitution committee or nominating committee.  They may participate in church activities, but may not vote in church business matters.

Statement of Faith

We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired word of God and as the foundation of our beliefs (II Timothy 3:16).  The church subscribes to the doctrinal statements of the Baptist Faith and Message as adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention in 1963 and amended in 2000.  We bond ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind.  The ordinances of this church are baptism (Romans 6:3-5) and the Lord's Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-28).

Church History

The first service was held on Wednesday night, February 20, 1974.  The members at the time considered a fellowship rather than a church, voted to ask the Rome Baptist Church to accept them as a mission to their church on May 8, 1974.  A constitution was adopted, and the members voted to institute the "Aviano Baptist Church."  On September 4, 1974, the church requested membership in the EBC.     Services were first held at the Italian Baptist Church in Pordenone for evening services and at the Base Chapel for morning services.  In Jun 1974, the church moved into a new building, the Panorama Condominium in Aviano.  Three years later the church moved again to its current location on Via Nardo, Aviano.     Aviano Baptist Church has had 11 interim pastors:  Jess Love, William Young, Jamie Smott, Eldon Cook, Roger Williams, Lloyd Barker, Dale Able, Earl Mc Quay, Ron Hickey, Bob Riley and Oscar Barrow.  Two of these went on to become full-time pastors for Aviano Baptist Church:  Jess Love and Jamie Smott.  Aviano Baptist Church has had six other full-time pastors:  Danny Fisher, John Collier, Joe Kokaly, George Robertson, Dr. Timothy Smith and Sam Owens.     On September 1, 1983, the church opened the Aviano Baptist Academy with 10 children enrolled and 2 student monitors.  The school used the Accelerated Christian Education materials.  In June 1987, the church voted not to continue the Academy.     On August 18, 1989, George H. Robertson and his wife, Carolyn, came to Aviano Baptist Church to serve as our full-time pastor and wife.  On November 23, 1989, Aviano Baptist Church hosted a Thansgiving Dinner at the church and was able to provide dinners to a number of people who were TDY to Aviano, some new families who were staying in pensions, and some of the Italian workers from the Retreat Center at Poffabro.     The 1990-91 fiscal year of Aviano Baptist Church has become known as a "transitional phase."  We've overcome some difficult times, and we look ahead in the coming years, we are very excited about what God is going to do here at Aviano Baptist Church!     On July 1, 1992, George H. Robertson and his wife, Carolyn; resigned as pastor.  A Pastor Seach Committee was formed, and on May 16, 1993, the church called Oscar Barrow and his wife, Nan, as pasotr.  During the time without a full-time pastor, Ron Hikckey served as interim pastor.  The church has grown in unity and love.  We are anxious to see what God has in store for us.     In February 1994, Oscar Barrow and his wife, Nan, came as full-time pastor to our church.  During the last year, we have seen a tremendous amount of growth both spiritually and physically.  Our Sunday School attendance has increased more than 60% in the last year, and we now average more than 100 in the morning worship service.     In February 1997, Oscar Barrow and his wife, Nan, returned tot he U.S. after fullfilling his three-year contract.     On March 16, 1997, the church voted to call Dr. Timothy Smith to be the new full-time pastor.  With that, we also voted to form a Parsonage Search Committee to search for a house more suitable for the incoming pastor and his family.  Pastor Bob Riley was called to be our interim pastor until Dr. Smith arrived.  Pastor Riley served as interim pastor from April 24 - July 29, 1997.     On May 18, 1997, the Parsonage Search Committee presented a house to the church, and it was voted to rent the house at Via Damiano Chiesa 5, Aviano as the new parsonage.  The lease began on August 1, 1997.  Dr. Timothy Smith and his family arrived on July 30, 1997 to serve as fill-time pastor and wife.     During his pastorate Dr. Smith taught seminary extension courses.  He also served as vice president of the European Baptist Convention.     Dr. Timothy Smith resigned as pastor in the autumn of 2000.  Revs. Bob Riley and Oscar Barrow, a former senior pastor served short terms as interum pastors.  In October 2001, Rev. Sam Owens and wife, Adele, came as a interim pastor.  In December they were asked to remain full-time, and they accepted.     Following the Owens' installation as senior pastor, the church has undergone several changes.  The sanctuary has been reconfigured to increase seating space; a satellite sanctuary has been established; AWANA and Faith Bible Intstitute have been started to facilitate Bible study for all ages.  The church has been able to gain the use of two more parts of the building we are in, providing space for all Sunday School classes, a single's ministry, children's church and an expanded nursery.  The Parsonage has been relocated from Vigonovo to Villotta, a section the town of Aviano.     Aviano Baptist Church has been active in supporting various mission works.  The church sponsors three indigenous church planters in Moldova and a church pioneer in Turkey.  Efforts have been made to expand into the local Italian community and into immigrant populations in the area.