The Project: A Future, Worthy of Support

A Future With Roots

The Frederick Church of the Brethren (FCOB) was founded in 1880. Since that time, the congregation has experienced marked growth; in the last ten years, the congregation has experienced significant growth, with a 58% increase in worship attendance and a 122% increase in giving to the general fund. Central to the recent growth of FCOB has been statements of values, mission, and vision, developed and reaffirmed through three strategic ministry plans.

Values

Passionate Faith (Philippians 3:12-14)
Rich Heritage (2 Timothy 1:4-7)
Loving Fellowship (1 Peter 1:22-23)
Practical Witness (James 2:14-17)

Mission

The Frederick Church of the Brethren is a place of welcome where people find peace, purpose, and power through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 22:35; Romans 15:7)

Vision

We will multiply the number of persons turning to Jesus Christ by multiplying the number of opportunities for spiritual growth and biblical outreach. (Acts 2:42-47)

Historical Timeline: Part 1 (1880 – 1970)

Historical Timeline: Part 2 (1971 – 2006)

Historical Timeline: Part 3 (2007 – Present)

A Future Targeted

FCOB’s most recent strategic ministry plan (Forward Together) aims our vision toward three specific targets:

DEEPEN… Christ-likeness (Ephesians 3:16-19)
We desire to deepen our walk with Christ. To that end, we will enrich our worship, discipleship, and fellowship emulating Christ’s character and faithfulness in new expanded ways.

MAGNIFY… God’s Gifts (2 Corinthians 9:8, 11)
We desire to expand our ministry by amplifying God’s gifts of time, talent, and treasure. In particular, we wish to leverage the gift of our new property, seeking to utilize it in ways that expand God’s kingdom.

OVERFLOW… With the Spirit’s power (Romans 15:13)
We desire to overflow with Christ and His Spirit’s power. To that end, we will reach more for Jesus through relevant forms of evangelism, along with acts of social action, justice, and service.

A Future Advancing

As our second vision target affirms, we desire to MAGNIFY… God’s gifts, in particular by leveraging the gift of our new property. Our new property consists of 110 acres located on both sides of Route 15/340, right before the Mt. Zion Rd. exit. The bulk of the property (77.76 acres) is located on the east side of Route 15/340, accessed off Elmer Derr Rd. FCOB voted to purchase the Route 15/340 property in 2006, through a 70.57% affirmative vote; the purchase price of the property was 3.3 million dollars.

A Future Enlarging

As the pledges of our pacesetters come to a close, it’s time for the entire congregation to rise up and enlarge past efforts, advancing the marvelous gift of our new property. To that end, we call within the FCOB family to participate in our 2010 capital stewardship initiative: IMAGINE

The primary objective of IMAGINE is straight-forward: To raise 2.6 million dollars to eliminate the current indebtedness on our new property.

Funds raised above and beyond that figure, will go toward the access road and access bridge (and related development costs) required to access the Route 15/340 property.

And So… IMAGINE…

Increased momentum… as we take a major action step toward magnifying God’s gifts – growing in our stewardship of His land.
Widening vision… as our entire congregation contributes toward God’s future for our beloved church, as represented in our Route 15/340 property.
Financial freedom… as we grow as financial managers/stewards, eliminating our current debt… freeing up our congregation for future development of our Route 15/340 property.
Glory to God… as we move forward with our new property, seeking to enlarge the vision of God’s Kingdom, centered in Christ!