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Frequently
Asked Questions
Who
attends BPC?
BPC is a large,
growing, and relatively youthful congregation of approximately 750
members. Currently, 49% of our members* are between the ages 30
and 55, 30% are age 60 or older, and 72% are married. Women constitute
63% of the membership and men 37%. Of the 580 total member households
(active and inactive), 36% have one or more children, including
25 single parent households.
* Note: children
are not considered members unless they complete Confirmation and
choose membership, usually between the ages of 12 and 17.
Do
you offer Sunday School programs for children and youth?
We offer BPCKidz for children birth through 5th grade and "God
Squad" for middle school youth during the 9:30 a.m. worship
service. To learn more about BPCKidz, God Squad, and
Sunday evening middle school and high school youth groups,
please visit BPCKidz and Youth
Programs.
Is
childcare available during Sunday worship?
Childcare is provided at all three Sunday morning worship services
for infants through 5th graders. BPCKidz
is offered for these ages during the 9:30 a.m. worship service.
Do
you offer Christian education classes for adults?
Yes, we are very excited about our School of Christian Learning
(SCL), which features a great breadth and depth of adult courses
each year in the fall, winter, spring and summer. To learn more
about SCL, please visit the School
of Christian Learning page.
Do
I need to join in order to attend Sunday Worship or participate
in BPC programs?
No, you don't have to be a member of BPC to attend any of its worship
services or most of its other programs, including BPCKidz or adult
School of Christian Learning classes. While we encourage membership,
non-member attendees can receive Sharing, our monthly newsletter,
and participate in a broad range of activities.
Are
you open to interfaith families and individuals from other Christian
denominations?
Yes, very! A number of BPC attendees have partners from other faiths
or are themselves from other Christian denominations. BPC's School
of Christian Learning classes have featured interfaith comparisons
taught by guest lecturers that have included rabbis, priests, and
Islamic scholars. BPC also has a long-standing interfaith relationship
with the Jewish congregation Kehillat Ma'arav, which shared the
BPC Sanctuary for many years, until it was able to move into its
own synagogue home in Santa Monica. The congregations of BPC and
Kehillat Ma'arav continue to hold an interfaith breakfast and worship
service each year on Thanksgiving morning.
Are
there small groups I can join?
Yes! One of the beauties of BPC is that there are so many small
groups to become part of, which allow members to develop new friendships,
deepen relationships and find support. We call these small groups
"Mustard Seed Groups" or MSGs. Mustard Seed Groups consist of 6
to 12 people and meet weekly to discuss spiritual and personal issues,
and to offer mutual care, encouragement and fellowship. These groups
vary in their membership and focus - there are men's groups, women's
groups, mixed gender groups, working mother groups, artist groups,
professional groups, etc. To learn more about Mustard Seed Groups
and how to join, please visit our Small
Groups page.
How
can I get involved in volunteer service?
Our Connecting and Equipping Ministry can help you identify your
particular gifts and interests, and connect you with opportunities
for service through BPC's various ministries. To learn more about
volunteer opportunities, please visit the Volunteer
Opportunities page.
How
do I become a member?
The first step is to attend a New Member Discovery class. These
classes are held on evenings or weekends several times throughout
the year. To find out more about becoming a member, please see Becoming
a Member.
Is
Brentwood Presbyterian Church Nursery School a religious school?
Although the Nursery School is located on the BPC campus and is
connected to BPC, it is not a religious school. Children of any
religion, race, or ethnic origin are accepted and admitted on a
non-discriminatory basis, and prospective applicants do not have
to be church members, although members are given priority in the
admissions process. For more information, please visit the Nursery
School page.
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