June 1968 - Community Bible Church began to meet as a nucleus of about a dozen believers from a neighboring church decided to form a new church committed to functioning on Biblical principles.  This group began meeting Sunday mornings for worship in a backyard on Harrison Avenue, one block from the current site.  The numbers grew to approximately 35 by the following winter, with services held in a large garage with members huddled around a gas stove.  (These numbers included many children who attended Sunday school in another home). 

 

Spring of 1969 - The former White Oaks Men’s Club across the street was purchased, becoming the site of the church for the next thirty-two years.  

When the initial pastor moved out of the area for personal reasons, the pastoral search committee began examining the Scriptures regarding pastoral criteria.  The decision was made to change to a format in which two elders began sharing the preaching and teaching responsibilities.  As the congregation grew and new people moved into the area, additional elders were recognized, expanding the numbers of those involved in preaching and teaching ministries.

 

1982 - A parcel of land became available abutting the church property to the south and fronting on Bridges Road.  The congregation made the decision to purchase this property to provide for future expansion.

  

Mid-1980’s - The midweek service was restructured with the goal of seeing each member of the congregation involved in personal spiritual growth through the encouragement and support of a small group.

 

1989 - For most of the 1980’s, the church was without any full time elder/pastor.  The need for someone to serve in this capacity became more and more evident as the size of the congregation expanded, and a search commenced in 1989.  It was concluded within the year when Doug Duncan, a recent graduate of Trinity Evangelical Seminary, accepted the call to join in the work at CBC.

 

1999 – 2001 - Ministering to the needs of a growing congregation was not the only problem facing the church.  The need for a larger facility became more pressing, as our numbers approached 100 - about the limit of the old men’s club building. Through the 1990’s several committees were formed to look into this possibility.  A building program was finally initiated that led to the completion of the current 7,000 sq.ft. building in June 2001. It provides a sanctuary that seats 250, along with a kitchen, nursery and an additional 10 rooms for offices and classrooms.

 

2001 – Present - The congregation has continued to expand since then to approximately 250 active members and average Sunday morning attendance of 175.  The elders have directed much of their effort to developing better means to provide training for all the members of our church family beyond the teaching available on Sunday mornings.  As elders, we have continued to stress that involvement in small groups that meet for prayer, Bible study, mutual encouragement and ministry is vital to personal growth; and have also provided opportunities for more intensive discipling/mentoring relationships in which mature believers walk alongside and encourage newer believers.

 

2018- The Church’s “structure” was re-organized in early 2018 to allow members of the congregation to better exercise their gifts.  This structure allows for the matching of gifts and abilities to very specific needs within the church.  There are 11 “committees” that oversee the various ministries.  They are:

 

Shepherding                Small Groups              Christian Education                 Missions

Finance                        Administration            Facilities                                  Needs

Fellowship                  Preaching                    Sunday Service Coordination

 

All of these committees are ultimately responsible to the Elders.