Lead Pastor Search

The mission of Fellowship Bible Church is straightforward:

As God’s growing church family proclaiming the good news of Jesus all to the glory of God, we are Engaging God’s truth, Pursuing life together, and Sharing hope in Christ.

The core values we live by are:

Dwelling in God’s Word, Standing in Grace, Loving One Another, Walking in Humility, Living by God’s Priorities, and Serving with Purpose. 

This is the mission and values set that has essentially been in place since God birthed this local church in 1977. And it will continue defining FBC’s path in the years ahead.

For the past year or so, Eric and Lauren have experienced God’s gracious movement in their lives. They have prayed together, talked together, evaluated their personal profiles, sought counsel, and generally endeavored to keep their hearts open to the Lord’s leading. In what both of them are calling one of the most difficult decisions of their lives, they have come to the point they believe they are to step out in faith by Eric stepping down from his role as Lead Pastor and Elder…just as Abraham and Sarah did when God called them to “Go…to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Like those Old Testament journeyers, what they know at this point is that God has said it is time to go. They are convinced God will show them where and to what as they walk obediently by faith, one step at a time. And that first step He has called them to is for Eric to make this move. They are humbled God called them to Fellowship Bible Church some 19 years ago and consider the opportunity God has given them to serve here for this closing season to be one of the greatest privileges of their lives.

We understand this is significant news in the life of this body, and that you may have questions about the road ahead for both the Bryan’s and FBC. Here are some answers we know at this point to what might be some of the most common questions:

  • Eric initiated the process with all of the elders several months ago (fourth quarter of 2024). They did not ask him to leave FBC. As Eric and the rest of the elders sought the Lord together on this matter,

    they concluded unanimously that God was leading the Bryan’s to close their season of ministry at FBC. So ultimately, they all made this decision together.

  • Eric’s last day in his roles as Lead Pastor and Elder will be June 30. Eric and the rest of the elders agree God is releasing the Bryan’s from those roles at that point so they can focus full-time on exploring the possibilities God has for them. Whether they will remain as members of FBC after Eric leaves his roles is yet to be determined. And of course if God calls the Bryan’s to another city at any point, that will settle the matter of them leaving the FBC body as members. But none of that has taken place yet. Everyone involved with this transition wants what is best for FBC and for the next Lead Pastor and his family. We will keep you posted when we get clearer direction regarding this question.

  • None of us knows for sure yet, and that is part of the adventure and opportunity of trust that lies ahead! Eric has been waiting to begin searching for new opportunities until we made this announcement, believing with the rest of the elders that such sequence was best for everyone. He will now begin contacting others to explore possibilities.

  • We have begun a search for a new Lead Pastor. We are working through all of the channels we have to identify qualified candidates. We have also engaged the search firm One39 in this process. With their wide network and expertise in this kind of search, we believe our partnership with them will ultimately yield the best result. Working with us, they will conduct an evaluation, interview and due diligence process with potential candidates. From that process, those candidates whom we approve will then interview directly with us (likely involving more than one round of conversations).

  • The elders will make this decision. Before doing so, though, they will involve staff and other leaders in the FBC body to participate in the process noted above and provide perspective and feedback to them that they will factor into their decision.

  • Literally God only knows! For searches of this kind, though, it can typically take several (perhaps four to eight) months before a new Lead Pastor is hired, moved, and settled into his new role.

  • Yes. He will “wear two hats”: (1) provide overall body oversight and shepherding as an elder along with the rest of the elder team (see qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9), and (2) of course fulfill his role as Lead Pastor.

  • Some of our current pastors, elders and selected “one-off” guest speakers will preach on Sunday mornings. We are also working on bringing in one or more outside interim pastors whose primary duty will be to preach for a number of Sunday mornings. We have not yet identified anyone for this role.

  • The primary communication channel will be via our regular emails to the congregation. We will communicate in that space periodically when we have meaningful information to share. If you are not currently receiving those emails, you can sign-up to do so at fbctulsa.org/weeklyemail We also may occasionally communicate to the body during Sunday morning worship services. 

    As these early stages of the search will primarily involve a period of exploration and evaluation before yielding any candidates for our internal interview process, we do not anticipate providing a significant update during the next two to three months.

  • Firstly, please pray regularly for this body. In particular please pray for timely provision of quality Lead Pastor candidates, and wisdom for all involved in the identification, evaluation, and interaction processes with those candidates. Secondly, keep doing the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). Play your part in FBC’s mission, doing so in line with our core values.

  • Please send an email to Keath Storm at keath@one39.co to submit the name of anyone you think would be a great candidate to be FBC’s next Lead Pastor.