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Community @ Van Buren

A pastor in jeans? A music leader without a tie? A church without a choir? Community Bible Church doesn't care about what you look like or where you've been. We care about the heart of people and that is our sole focus. Grab your flip-flops, iron your T-shirt, and join us Sunday for a message that speaks to your heart, not to how you dress.

Come check us out. Services start at 10:00am.


Frequently Asked Questions — Learn more about the Van Buren service by clicking a question below.

When/where are your Sunday services?
Services currently start at 10:00am. We start sharp...well, most of the time. Our Van Buren service meets at 1514 Construction Way off Highway 64.
What do I wear?
Sunday mornings have a relaxed feel at Community. You will see everything from shorts and t-shirts to the occasional tie (although you’ll never catch our staff wearing a tie unless someone is dead). The point is dress comfortably. We’re not trying to impress you, so don’t try to impress us. The best clothing for worship is clothing which goes unnoticed. One warning: the worship center may be colder than some people prefer so if you are cold natured you might dress a little more warmly than normal.
What do I do with my kids?
Jesus And Me (JAM) is our ministry for newborn through four-year-old children. We strive to make the children feel comfortable in a safe, clean, and loving environment while teaching them about Jesus in an interactive way. As you enter the service our volunteers will be happy to escort you and your children to their proper classroom. For security purposes you will receive a number that corresponds with your child. If a need arises during the service your child’s number will be displayed for you to retrieve you child. At the end of the service only the person presenting the correct number will be allowed to pick up your child. Students (kindergarten thru high school) are encouraged to attend the regular service at 10:00am.
Will I have to sign anything or say anything?
We believe you should be as involved as you want to be at Community. You will never be forced to sign something (except for security purposes when checking in a child) or say anything. Many people prefer to come a few times before they ever even introduce themselves. We will not bother you in anyway unless first invited. We desire to serve every person equally but we refuse to invade the lives of people. Come and see for yourself and let us know if your ready to get involved.
What is the purpose of Community?
The purpose of Community Bible Church has never and will never change. From day one our desire has been to live transformed lives, and for those lives to transform the world. In the early days we said it in a different way, "to be fully devoted followers of Christ and to assist others to do the same." No matter what our terminology, the objective is still the same. The mission of all churches should be derived from the charge of Jesus to his disciples.
What is the history of Community?
Community Bible Church of Fort Smith, Began in September of 1996 seven families from three different churches met together to discuss the need for a new church with a distinctive emphasis and an innovative approach to ministry. The following month, Community Bible Church was incorporated and held its first worship service on October 6th in a living room. Dr. Edward A. Saucier was invited to become the church's first pastor.

With an enlarging vision Community began planning for additional staff. Presently our staff includes: Ed Saucier, senior pastor; Kevin Thompson, executive pastor; Mark Kicannon, community group pastor; Michelle Kincannon, church administrator; Matt Whitson, children's pastor; Donnie Todd, student pastor; Randy Keen, properties management and student pastor; and Cheryl Tobey, administrative assistant.

In March of 2004, we moved from Phoenix Village Mall to our new twenty-acre facility on Dallas Street, into a 35,000 square feet building. With a worship center capable of seating 900, children's classrooms, a student room, and offices, these twenty acres should serve as our main physical location for many years. Nearly $700,000 was raised in the three years preceding the completion of the building project. Through donations of labor and material, along with hard work from many church members, we were able to build property valued near $3 million while only financing $1.4 million.

[ Learn more about Commmunity's History ]
Why did Community begin?
Far more important than knowing when a church began is knowing why it began. From the beginning, certain major desires guided the development of Community.
  • Desire for Biblically centered teaching of the scriptures.
  • Desire for a unique form of church governance and ministry.
  • Desire to build a church dedicated to the spiritual education, nourishment, and development of individuals and families.
  • Desire to minister to our community and to reach the world with Christ’s message of love and forgiveness.
  • Desire to treat all individuals with dignity and to mold a ministry that respects their right to ask questions in an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding.
What does Community believe?
  • We believe in bringing glory to God.
  • We believe in salvation by grace.
  • We believe in leading biblical lifestyles in every aspect of life.
  • We believe in and practice the priesthood of every believer.
  • We believe that people matter to God. We believe, therefore, that people should matter to us.
  • We believe in every-believer, team ministry.
  • We believe in being vision-driven, not opportunity-driven.
  • We believe in health, not just growth.
  • We believe form follows function.
  • We believe in being doctrinally pure and culturally relevant.
  • We believe every ministry should be founded on three components—truth, accountability, and relationships.
[ Learn more about Commmunity's Core Values ]
[ Read Commmunity's Doctrinal Statement ]
What is the culture like at Community?
At first glance, you could say that our culture is relaxed. There is no pressure for first-time guests or for long-time attenders. Our small groups are informal and down to earth. You may have had a past experience with a church that is pretty rigid in these areas. Dress is formal. Behavior is dictated. And sometimes appearances are maintained at the cost of honesty. This is not so at Community. On issues where some congregations are dogmatic, we are pretty relaxed; however, on issues where some congregations are pretty relaxed, we are quite dogmatic:
  • We refuse to communicate a gospel of legalism.
  • We refuse to allow people to be treated as second-class citizens because of past mistakes.
  • We refuse to accept any form of racism or sexism.
  • We refuse to allow the end to justify any means.
  • We refuse to exchange a syrupy facade with real faith.
  • We refuse to manipulate others for our own good.
  • We refuse to respond to gossip or criticism spoken in a hurtful manner.
  • We refuse to be a part of any action not founded on love.
How do I join?
Membership at Community has two prerequisites. A person must confess belief in Jesus Christ and must attend a five-session membership class. The Discovering Membership Class is offered on Sunday mornings and introduces a person to the basic beliefs and structure of Community Bible Church.

[ Read Community's Membership Guide ]
Why isn’t there Sunday School for adults?
We find that adult education, care, and fellowship is better accomplished through our Community Groups than through traditional Sunday School. More time can be spent and closer bonds can be made in this way. We highly encourage every adult to regularly attend a Community Group.

[ Learn more about Commmunity Groups ]
Who do I contact if I need more information?
Contact Mark Kincannon at mark@communitychurch.com or Mike Crain at mike@communitychurch.com.
Or the church office at (479) 452-9201.


Sermons — Hear from our teaching pastors by selecting a sermon below.

[ More Sermons ]

 


Location — Our Van Buren service meets at 1514 Construction Way off Highway 64, between Holly Avenue and Shibley Road.

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Need more information? — Contact Mark Kincannon at mark@communitychurch.com or Mike Crain at mike@communitychurch.com.

9201 Dallas Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-9201  |  (479) 452-9220 (Fax)  |  churchinfo@communitychurch.com		 Copyright © 2007 Community Bible Church
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