Pastoring an independent church can be lonely. The burdens of ministry are hard to bear on your own. When conflict arises in the church, you have no one to support you to restore order and peace. You know that there are experienced pastors out there who have been in your shoes, but it’s hard to find a place to meaningfully connect with them. You want accountability, too. Where can you find other mature Christian brothers in Christ who can catch you before you fall into sin or encourage you not to become weary in doing good?
You can get the connection and support you need by joining the Bible Fellowship Church denomination.
There are many advantages to joining the Bible Fellowship Church:
Regular Prayer and Fellowship with Other Pastors
The Bible Fellowship Church (BFC) denomination is divided into regions. Each region meets regularly in a small group format for prayer and fellowship. In addition, all the BFC pastors meet twice yearly. In the spring, BFC Conference gathers the pastors and elders together for worship, preaching, and to conduct denominational business. In the fall at Ministerial Convention, the BFC provides a speaker and plenty of laid-back fellowship time for a retreat in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
Accountability and Freedom
The Executive Board along with other denominational boards and committees have checks and balances in place to keep you and your congregation on track doctrinally, ecclesiastically, and financially. At the same time, you maintain control over the care of your congregation since you know best how to reach your local church and its community.
Help in Times of Conflict
The Ministerial Relations Committee is available to support you and your church in times of conflict or pastoral change. This committee also provides a Conference Pastor whose sole responsibility is to be a pastor to the pastors and their families.
Resources for Growth
The Church Health Committee is a resource for you in times of plateauing or declining growth. Call the Pastor of Church Health to consult with your church and prayerfully find wisdom to promote your church’s growth.
Join the Multiplication Movement
Participate in church planting and missions with BFC Church Extension Department and the Board of Missions. Each of these two organizations provides you and your congregation with the resources you need to be involved with church planting and missions in the United States and around the world.
Steps for Connection
- See if you are doctrinally compatible with the Bible Fellowship Church. We hold to a Reformed view of soteriology, believer’s baptism by immersion, and premillennial eschatology. Each of our churches is governed by a body of elected elders. You can review our complete Articles of Faith here.
- Be willing to become ordained through the BFC credentialing process. Pastors are required to have three years of theological education or its equivalent. The BFC may also recognize your previous ordination. Click here for more details about becoming a pastor in the BFC.
- Email Church Extension Director David Gundrum at office@churchplantingbfc.org to let him know you are interested in connecting with the BFC.
Experience the joy of Christian unity by joining together with a larger part of the body of Christ. We look forward to talking with you about becoming a church in the Bible Fellowship Church denomination.