Quick Facts
Founded
1755
Denomination
American Baptist (ABCUSA)
Service Times
See website
Men's Ministry
No
Kids Ministry
No
Pastor Credentials
Not published
10-Point Theological Scorecard
Christology
Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)
Not stated on available sources — verify in person.
Caution
Scripture
Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?
Not stated on available sources — verify in person.
Caution
Men's Discipleship
Intentional formation for men?
No men's ministry visible on staff or homepage.
WARNING!
Soteriology
Faith alone? How is salvation presented?
Site describes desire to 'glorify God by Proclaiming the Gospel, Making Disciples, and Loving God and Others' — generic.
Caution
Gender / Biblical Design
Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?
Staff page lists Worship Pastor David Hancock (male), Student Ministries Director Paula Land (female). Senior Pastor role listed but unnamed. Not conclusive on female pastoral leadership.
Paula Land serves as Director of Student Ministries; David Hancock is Worship Pastor. Senior Pastor slot currently without named incumbent.
Caution
Leadership Structure
Male elders/pastors? Accountability?
Senior Pastor role currently appears unfilled/transitional.
Caution
Preaching Style
Expository or topical/therapeutic?
Not characterized on public pages.
Caution
Mission Clarity
Great Commission central?
Generic discipleship framing.
Caution
Cultural Alignment
DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?
Not stated on available sources — verify in person.
Caution
Accountability Structure
Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?
ABCUSA (American Baptist Churches USA) confirmed via FaithStreet and ABCNJ. Founded 1755, eighth Baptist church in NJ. ABCUSA is mainline-trajectory with Welcoming & Affirming network congregations.
Disqualifier
Assessment
First Baptist Salem (est. 1755) is the first Baptist church in Salem County and the 8th in NJ. ABCUSA affiliation is theologically mixed — verify local doctrinal commitments and pastoral leadership through the staff page.
#baptist#abcusa#salem#historic#south-nj#needs-review
Sources & Evidence
These are the URLs consulted to arrive at this church's scoring. Score-note claims are synthesized from homepage content, denominational directories, and public statements of faith at the time of review. Church websites change frequently; we're progressively adding Internet Archive snapshots to prevent link rot.
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[1] Live source
firstbaptistsalem.org
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[2] Live source
firstbaptistsalem.org/meet-our-staff/
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[3] Live source
faithstreet.com/church/first-baptist-church-of-salem-new-…
Transparency note: MOOP ratings are researcher judgments about publicly available theological and ecclesial evidence. They are not infallible. If a church's public posture has changed since our review, or if we've mis-read evidence, tell us — we publish corrections.
Last reviewed:
2026-05-16
— Annual review recommended
130 W. Broadway, Salem, NJ 08079
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