Leadership Vision
Any healthy organization is constantly in the process of transition
The purpose of this page is to help communicate the comprehensive nature of Fellowship Bible Church’s (FBC) leadership structure with an eye looking back as well as casting vision for where the Lord is leading us in the years to come. On this page, you’ll find a comprehensive overview of leadership development throughout the church. You could say that our leadership values inform these of:
- being Biblically-centered,
- being elder-led as a church,
- involving a multiplicity of leaders instead of a single leader, and
- developing new leaders from within,
From its early days of launching in the 1980s, FBC has operated on a Biblical design of being an elder-led church. Being an elder-led church means that spiritual oversight, decision-making, and leadership development are entrusted to a collective group of elders rather than a single individual. This model is rooted in biblical principles, particularly passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4, which emphasize the role of elders in shepherding the church, teaching sound doctrine, and providing spiritual leadership.
FBC's governance ensures accountability and shared leadership by making decisions through the wisdom and discernment of multiple elders rather than relying on a singular authoritative voice. While key figures like Mark Carey play an important role in preaching and vision-casting, all major church decisions, including doctrinal direction, ministry oversight, and leadership appointments, are made collectively by the elder board.
To maintain continuity and sustainability, FBC also prioritizes leadership development within the elder team. Elders actively mentor emerging leaders, ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified, biblically grounded individuals who can carry forward the mission of the church. This structure also reinforces FBC’s commitment to discipleship and servant leadership, as elders are expected to model Christ-like character, humility, and a commitment to shepherding the congregation with care and wisdom.
Leadership Pipeline:
FBC is committed to developing a sustainable leadership pipeline that ensures the ongoing growth and effectiveness of its ministries. The goal is to identify, equip, and deploy emerging leaders at all levels of church life, from small group leaders to elders. This leadership development model is intentionally relational, emphasizing mentorship, and a progressive path of spiritual and leadership maturity. In essence we think about this as a Leadership Pipeline.
Key Components of the Leadership Pipeline
Key Components of the Leadership Pipeline
- Mentorship-Based Development
Leadership training at FBC follows an up-and-down mentorship model, meaning each leader is encouraged to both mentor someone behind them and be mentored by someone ahead of them. Elders, for example, are tasked with mentoring potential elders, while ministry leaders disciple future leaders within their respective teams.
- Clear Pathway for Growth
FBC has structured leadership development into several stages:- Elders mentor emerging elders and oversee leadership growth church-wide.
- Ministry Leaders receive mentorship and training to ensure they are leading effectively.
- Community Group Leaders (CGLs) serve as a primary training ground for future church leaders, receiving ongoing coaching and support.
- Apprentices and Residents participate in a structured, hands-on learning process to prepare them for full-time ministry or church planting.
- Biblical and Theological Training
Prospective leaders are encouraged to deepen their theological understanding through Biblical Training Center (BTC) courses, personal discipleship, and participation in leadership development workshops. They must be able to articulate and teach FBC’s core biblical beliefs. We also have a number of church members who are pursuing formal seminary training at any given point.
- Opportunities for Practical Leadership Experience
Aspiring leaders are given real-world leadership opportunities within ministries, small groups, and teaching settings. This includes leading Bible studies, serving in church events, participating in mission trips, and engaging in discipleship relationships.
- A Culture of Leadership Multiplication
Rather than relying on a few individuals, FBC is fostering a self-sustaining model where leadership development is built into the planning of every ministry. The expectation is that every leader is developing other leaders, ensuring continuity and longevity.
Relational Discipleship:
FBC is committed to developing a transformational, disciple-making community where relational discipleship is central to its ministry. The church’s vision is rooted in Ephesians 4:11-16, which emphasizes the equipping of the saints for ministry, and Colossians 1:28, which speaks of presenting every believer mature in Christ. Rather than relying solely on formal teaching, FBC seeks to cultivate a relational, life-on-life approach to discipleship that fosters spiritual maturity, accountability, and Christ-likeness in every believer.
At the core of FBC’s discipleship philosophy is the belief that transformation happens in the context of relationships. Discipleship is not merely about acquiring knowledge but involves authentic fellowship, intentional mentoring, and a commitment to growing together in faith. The church aims to move beyond a programmatic model of discipleship and fully integrate it into the daily lives, ministries, and relationships of its members.
At the core of FBC’s discipleship philosophy is the belief that transformation happens in the context of relationships. Discipleship is not merely about acquiring knowledge but involves authentic fellowship, intentional mentoring, and a commitment to growing together in faith. The church aims to move beyond a programmatic model of discipleship and fully integrate it into the daily lives, ministries, and relationships of its members.
Community groups/leaders:
FBC sees community groups as a vital environment for relational discipleship. These small groups are designed not only for fellowship but for spiritual accountability, encouragement, and mentoring. Leaders within these groups are being trained to facilitate intentional discipleship relationships, ensuring that members are not only engaging in study but actively discipling and being discipled.
Community Groups are small gatherings that meet regularly to share life experiences and grow in grace together. They aim to help us disciple each other and learn how to apply God’s Word to our daily lives. Members offer mutual support in facing life’s challenges through prayer, encouragement, counsel, and personal example, transforming hardships into opportunities to deepen our knowledge of the Lord and experience His love. Community Groups also create opportunities to engage one’s spiritual gifts in a loving, Spirit-led environment.
Community group leaders are those who desire to see others grow in their relationship with Christ. Leaders prioritize the intentional study of God’s Word and relational discipleship with those in their group in addition to facilitating the logistics of the community group. Each community group leader is assigned to a member of the community group ministry team who serves as a mentor and resource to the leader.
Community Groups are small gatherings that meet regularly to share life experiences and grow in grace together. They aim to help us disciple each other and learn how to apply God’s Word to our daily lives. Members offer mutual support in facing life’s challenges through prayer, encouragement, counsel, and personal example, transforming hardships into opportunities to deepen our knowledge of the Lord and experience His love. Community Groups also create opportunities to engage one’s spiritual gifts in a loving, Spirit-led environment.
Community group leaders are those who desire to see others grow in their relationship with Christ. Leaders prioritize the intentional study of God’s Word and relational discipleship with those in their group in addition to facilitating the logistics of the community group. Each community group leader is assigned to a member of the community group ministry team who serves as a mentor and resource to the leader.
Ministry Teams:
Each ministry area has a ministry team, that exist to serve alongside the ministry staff in a number of areas, as chartered below. Members of these teams carry out essential leadership functions within the church and help shape the spiritual direction of the these ministry areas. Both men and women hold positions on these teams.
Ministry teams are chartered to:
Ministry teams are chartered to:
- Understand and champion the core values of FBC in how ministry is carried out in their own ministry area.
- Help the pastor, ministry lead, and staff with bringing the vision of that ministry into reality through annual ministry planning and the day-to-day implementation of that plan.
- Begin a gradual rotation of leaders between ministry teams, especially those in the pipeline of elder development.
- Provide personal accountability and oversight. We strongly encourage that at least two males of that team deeply engage with male staff of that ministry and two females deeply engage with female staff of that ministry. This would be on a personal level to support that staff member in a way that is not conducive in a mixed gender setting.
The Executive Team:
The executive team at FBC serves as a key leadership group that provides day-to-day operational oversight and helps bridge the gap between the elders’ strategic vision and the practical implementation of church ministries. While the elders provide spiritual leadership and set the overall direction for the church, the executive team is responsible for executing those plans effectively, ensuring that ministries, staff, and resources are aligned with FBC’s mission and values. This team also plays a crucial role in facilitating communication, coordination, and decision-making across various church ministries, helping to prevent ministry silos, and ensuring that all efforts are working together toward common objectives.
The executive team has delegated decision-making authority from the elders in specific areas of church operations, allowing them to manage logistics, ministry planning, and administrative needs efficiently. They work collaboratively with pastors, ministry leaders, and support staff to ensure that church activities run smoothly and that any challenges are addressed promptly. Additionally, the executive team provides leadership development, mentoring, and support to staff and volunteer leaders, fostering a culture of accountability and growth within the church. Their role is essential in maintaining organizational health and unity, enabling the elders to focus on shepherding, teaching, and the spiritual oversight of the congregation.
The executive team includes Elders and Staff representation. Currently, the executive team includes Joe Houser, Mike Thomas, Mark Carey, Mike Lukens, Tim Sanford, and John Van Drunen.
The executive team has delegated decision-making authority from the elders in specific areas of church operations, allowing them to manage logistics, ministry planning, and administrative needs efficiently. They work collaboratively with pastors, ministry leaders, and support staff to ensure that church activities run smoothly and that any challenges are addressed promptly. Additionally, the executive team provides leadership development, mentoring, and support to staff and volunteer leaders, fostering a culture of accountability and growth within the church. Their role is essential in maintaining organizational health and unity, enabling the elders to focus on shepherding, teaching, and the spiritual oversight of the congregation.
The executive team includes Elders and Staff representation. Currently, the executive team includes Joe Houser, Mike Thomas, Mark Carey, Mike Lukens, Tim Sanford, and John Van Drunen.
The Preaching Team:
The preaching team at FBC is a group of pastors and leaders (currently Mark Carey, Tim Sanford, Caleb Pearson, and Micah Doerksen) who share the responsibility of preaching and teaching, ensuring a collaborative and sustainable approach to biblical instruction. This team-based model allows for a diversity of preaching styles, strengthens doctrinal consistency, and provides continuity in the church’s preaching ministry. Rather than relying on a single individual, the preaching team works together to plan sermon series, study Scripture collectively, and ensure that messages align with FBC’s mission and theological convictions. This model also facilitates mentorship, as seasoned preachers help develop younger or less experienced preachers, sharpening their skills and deepening their understanding of Scripture.
The team meets regularly to review past sermons, provide feedback, and prepare upcoming messages in a way that maintains a cohesive preaching approach. While one pastor may serve as the primary preacher, others contribute by taking on scheduled preaching assignments, allowing the congregation to hear from multiple voices while remaining unified in biblical truth. This structure also provides flexibility, ensuring that no single person is overburdened while promoting a culture of shared leadership and ongoing discipleship within the pastoral staff. Over time, the preaching team approach strengthens FBC’s commitment to sound biblical preaching and leadership development, ensuring that the church remains grounded in Scripture while raising up the next generation of communicators of God’s Word.
The team meets regularly to review past sermons, provide feedback, and prepare upcoming messages in a way that maintains a cohesive preaching approach. While one pastor may serve as the primary preacher, others contribute by taking on scheduled preaching assignments, allowing the congregation to hear from multiple voices while remaining unified in biblical truth. This structure also provides flexibility, ensuring that no single person is overburdened while promoting a culture of shared leadership and ongoing discipleship within the pastoral staff. Over time, the preaching team approach strengthens FBC’s commitment to sound biblical preaching and leadership development, ensuring that the church remains grounded in Scripture while raising up the next generation of communicators of God’s Word.
Apprenticeship:
The FBC Apprenticeship program provides an equipping/training experience to individuals seeking the Lord's direction regarding future vocational Christian ministry that will deepen their walk and intimacy with Jesus, grow their knowledge of God and His Truth, and sharpen their giftedness as servant-hearted disciples of Christ.
The Apprenticeship program aims to provide the participant with a deeper understanding of the foundational biblical truths crucial for effective ministry, while also sharpening their giftedness through practical experiences in ministry.
Program participants assist leadership, alongside the ministry team and professional staff, in fulfilling our mission, upholding our core values, and carrying out the vision of Fellowship Bible Church.
The Apprenticeship program aims to provide the participant with a deeper understanding of the foundational biblical truths crucial for effective ministry, while also sharpening their giftedness through practical experiences in ministry.
Program participants assist leadership, alongside the ministry team and professional staff, in fulfilling our mission, upholding our core values, and carrying out the vision of Fellowship Bible Church.
Fellowship Send Residency:
The Fellowship Send Residency program empowers future church planters to establish thriving, gospel-centered churches by providing the resources, support, and leadership training needed to overcome challenges and make a lasting community impact.
Fellowship Send will train and assist residents in creating and implementing a church planting plan that is Christ-focused and fits their context; provide access to funding opportunities, financial planning tools, and resource management strategies; offer guidance on administrative and logistical tasks; create a marketing and outreach plan; and offer ongoing coaching and mentorship to support the resident’s personal growth and leadership development.
Fellowship Send will train and assist residents in creating and implementing a church planting plan that is Christ-focused and fits their context; provide access to funding opportunities, financial planning tools, and resource management strategies; offer guidance on administrative and logistical tasks; create a marketing and outreach plan; and offer ongoing coaching and mentorship to support the resident’s personal growth and leadership development.