Core Values

The Glory of God is at the heart of all that takes place at FBF (1 Cor 10:31).

The sovereignty of God in the affairs of His universe and in the redemption of His people is motivated for His own name’s sake (Eph 1:11-12). Our passion is to declare His Glory in our world and through our daily lives to exalt His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, “that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Col 1:18)

The Centrality of the Word of God

Our commitment to the centrality of the Scripture is expressed in two ways, in our doctrine and in our teaching. We hold to the divine origin of the Scriptures and their inerrancy and infallibility (2 Tim 3:16-17). As such, we are committed to the systematic teaching of the Scripture in public and private settings in a manner that is appropriate to all age levels. This is reflected in our public worship, educational ministries and personal discipleship.

Church Leadership Vested in a Plurality of Elders

The historical book of Acts (14:23; chapter 20) and Peter’s and Paul’s pastoral epistles (1 Tim 5:17; 1 Pet 5:1-3; 2 Tim 2:24-26; Titus 3:9-10) demonstrate that Paul’s pattern of appointing elders in every church as the method of church leadership was intended to be the norm for the local church of all times. Leadership of the local church was not vested in a single individual, but a collective group of men who’s responsibilities included both oversight and shepherding of the people of God.

The Church as a Family of Believers

Paul uses the term “household” to describe the nature of the local church, as well as the extended body. This is a fitting term for it carries with it the idea of family or communal relationships and responsibilities. These responsibilities include: care and provision for widows (1 Tim 5), attention given to meeting the physical needs of the body (Acts 6, I Tim 3), accountability and discipline (I Tim 1:3, 20; 5:19-21; 2 Tim 2:24-26; Tit 3:9-10) and the intergenerational learning and impartation of wisdom (Tit 2:1-10).

Corporate and Individual Prayer

When considering the subject of prayer most concern is centered on personal or private prayer. As important as this is in the matter of personal spiritual disciplines, the Scripture also places a premium on corporate prayer. The early life of the church was marked by corporate prayer (Acts 1, 2, 12). Paul carries this pattern into his instruction to Timothy and the church at Ephesus in 1 Tim 2:1-8.

The Mandate of Disciple-making

The mandate of Christ given in Matthew 28:18-20 was given to the disciples and the church in order to demonstrate the truth of the person and authority of Jesus Christ. FBF is committed to fulfilling this mandate by its involvement in local ministries as well as significant partnering with ministries in the cause of world mission. Disciple-making takes place in the context of proclaiming the Gospel and the establishing of local churches. The process of discipleship includes instruction and reproduction, not only of believers, but churches and church leaders (Acts 2, 8, 11:19-26; 13:1-3, I Tim 2:3-4; 2 Tim 2:2).

Regular and Frequent Corporate Gathering

The gathering of believers on the first day of the week for corporate worship, participating in the Lord’s Supper, sharing of resources and edification appears to be the normal model for churches of all ages (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:18-34, 14:26, 16:2). The expression of forms may be culturally determined but the principle of corporate worship is certain and is evidenced by it’s historical and universal practice throughout the history of the church.

Cross-Generational Family Ministry

The command of Scripture is that wisdom and knowledge are to be imparted from one generation to the next (Tit 2:1-8; Eph 6:1-3; Prov 1:1-8; Deut 6:6-9) in the context of the family first, and second, in the church.

Ministries of Mercy and Compassion

Caring for the poor, neglected and oppressed of our society is one of the responsibilities of the church, as modeled by Jesus himself and commanded in the Scripture (Isa 58:6-7; Matt 25:31-46; Lk 14:12-14; I Jn 3:16-18)."