Judson’s Autonomy

While Judson is a member of the American Baptist Churches — USA, Judson is governed by its own Constitution, developed and approved by its own members.  Automony is a key principle at Judson.  We have a Moderator (similar role to Board Chair) and other officials, elected annually by the congregation to provide leadership.  Decisions on budgets, worship, affiliations, and faith formation are done with guidance of the clergy staff, but involve the entire congregation for implementation.

No denominational authority dictates how Judson functions; however, American Baptists are organized into regions of either like-minded or geographically close congregations to leverage resources for social and political issues.

Clergy serving Judson have been called by the congregation and are not appointed by an outside body.  Most have advanced degrees, and some have been graduates of progressive seminaries, such as Andover-Newton, American Baptist Seminary of the West, and Rochester-Colgate Divinity School.