Reaching Rutherford
Names of things don't always matter, but rarely are names given for no reason. Since the time of our launch in 2000, we've called ourselves Fellowship Bible Church of Rutherford County. FBC points to our heritage, Rutherford County to the locale where we were planted and first called to engage with the gospel. Our name reminds us that the vision we embraced as a fledgling group of believers was to reach the world by first reaching our closest neighbors with the good news about Jesus. Though many aspects of our church have changed over 25 years, that vision has remained the same. We believe our story, with all its ups and downs, has unfolded according to God’s plan; launched in a daycare, nurtured for over a decade in Blackman Middle School, and permanently planted in the Blackman community on Veterans Pkwy. Now, by God’s grace, the vision of reaching Rutherford requires a new chapter of our story to be written, one that involves the addition of a new campus in another area of Rutherford County we’re unable to effectively reach from our current location.
Together is Better
In 2025, Fellowship Bible Church is slated to become a single community of faith with a congregational presence in two related but distant areas of Rutherford County (Blackman and Walter Hill). We will continue to be one unified Church, but strategically serving the people living in and around those communities.
Amidst the inevitable changes, we’re committed to uniting around the core expressions of our biblical identity … Our mission, values, mutual commitments, and the Portrait of a Connected Life. These will provide continuity between our campuses, as will our collaborative leadership structure consisting of elders and staff. Together, our multiple congregations will work hand in hand to “cultivate connected followers of Christ” in a wider area than ever before!
Life Change is Way of Life
Change is difficult. Few of us like it, some of us tolerate it, and most of us do all that we can to avoid it! That probably has something to do with our passionate pursuit of comfort and convenience. Culturally speaking, those are among our greatest priorities, but at what cost?
Though challenging, change often leads to new opportunities. It affords us the chance to trust God in meaningful new ways. It can also spur a season of growth that would otherwise go missing. We don’t want to miss a thing! So, we’re willing to pay the small price of change challenges for the abundant life we gain by walking through them in faith.
Adding a second campus is going to change things for sure, but we fully believe it will be for the better. This launch is going to uncover many occasions to trust God, grow spiritually, serve fruitfully, and deepen our relationships in wonderful ways. Are you ready?
Next Steps
The elders and staff have been persistently praying and preparing for this new chapter in our story. We’re asking every person at Fellowship to join us throughout this Fall as we make our way toward the expanded influence God has for us. As with any movement of God, there are many moving parts, all of which we want to drench in prayer and gracefully manage with wisdom and discernment.
We’re excited for everyone to find their part helping Fellowship Bible Church take this next strategic step into God’s redemptive plan. This is an exciting time to utilize our spiritual gifts and talents, and have a front row seat to take in the amazing work of God!
We will be hosting three identical information meetings to help everyone discover the part they will play in the coming months. Please identify which date best works for you and register. This endeavor will take nothing less than an “all hands on deck” level of engagement. We look forward to sharing more with you of what God has for us in this new season.