What is Coram Deo?
This Latin phrase means to live a life "before the face of God."
We believe God is leading us into a two-year discipleship journey centered on living consciously aware of, yielded to, and satisfied by the presence of God. Coram Deo invites everyone to answer the question, "Am I faithfully living my life Coram Deo — realizing that God is with me in life-changing, eternity-altering, and joy-sustaining ways?"
This primary goal challenges each and every one of us to take significant next steps of obedience to what God is calling us into in this next season.
Secondary Goal
We are trusting God with a secondary goal of $2 million for vision advancement as we partner with God to reclaim, level up, or seek new territory in our mission. Coram Deo invites us into prayerful reflection and collaborative discernment to discover what God would have us to do that might remove obstacles to His fullness, express greater faithfulness to His Word, and to edify the body of Christ here at Rock Bridge. We have identified three areas to categorize potential actions and guide our discernment:
Reclaim
We are reclaiming ministry expressions, attitudes, and actions that have waned in faithfulness and/or fruitfulness in our church life.
Reclaim:
Full observance of the Lord’s Supper in our services by providing more and expanded teaching on this essential ordinance.
The way we come to and observe the Lord’s Supper needs to be consistent with its significance.
Incorporating the biblical and historic aspects of the Lord’s Supper into our observances of it.
Expanding the practical ways in which we observe the Lord’s Supper.
HOPE:
Providing 2–3 Serve Days throughout the year to serve our communities.
Strengthening our H.O.P.E. partnerships at all campuses and exploring strategic partnerships that align with our mission.
Who’s Your One?
Ensuring 100% of Connect Groups are equipped (trained and resourced) to share their faith and invite others to be part of RBCC.
Level Up
We are leveling up for ministry expressions, attitudes, and actions that are bearing fruit but have identifiable potential to grow, expand, and/or improve.
Level Up
Full engagement in Gospel-centered Worship by:
More defined liturgy that is shaped by the Gospel.
More defined response time for people to linger with the Lord and respond in step with His Spirit.
More dedicated and united time in prayer for the effects of the Spirit upon our worship services.
Intensify Disciple Making
Having 300 Connect Group opportunities.
85% of Rock Bridgers are participating in a Connect Group.
Launching a second discipleship environment (after All In) meant to equip new members in foundational elements of our faith (spiritual habits, how to read the Bible, etc.) and learn more about RBCC beliefs.
Ensure First Wednesday aligns with and amplifies Coram Deo by:
Providing a time for fellowship and connection during a meal at all of our First Wednesday environments.
Launching a discipleship environment for kids (birth - 5th grade) that helps them grow in their faith.
Serve Team: Equipping 500 new Serve Team members throughout RBCC.
Mid-sized Gatherings:
Fully developing environments that help people grow as disciples and connect with others in meaningful ways.
These environments will provide “on-ramp” opportunities for those who have yet to engage with life at RBCC.
New Territory
We are exploring new territory where we discern the opportunity to grow in our reach, expand in our Great Commission pursuits, and/or deepen our intentional disciple-making efforts
New Territory
Counseling & Intercession Ministry launched at Rock Bridge (new territory).
Additional discipleship environments.
Launching a Young Adults Ministry.
Launching a Special Needs Ministry: We envision developing special needs classrooms and ministries in all our physical locations.
Launching a second Spanish congregation in one of our existing locations.
Missions:
Partnering with FAMM to raise local leaders who will then share the Good News of Jesus with people in a region of India who have never heard the Gospel.
Partnering with Compassion International to help launch a brand-new Compassion Center.
Missions Grounds – Coffee with a Cause: Coffee areas that highlight RBCC partnerships, and the proceeds go to a global partner.
Increase our annual giving by one million dollars annually to advance the Gospel, make disciples, impact our communities, and to (by God’s grace) help as many people as possible live Coram Deo.
Marriage Ministry: Launching a marriage ministry that supports and serves all Rock Bridgers and our communities.
Coram Deo Resources
As we walk through this two-year discipleship journey, we have prepared a list of resources to help you along the way.
We will send notifications and discipleship materials through our app. You can also grab Coram Deo merch from the Rock Bridge store.
We will also be releasing a Coram Deo guide in the next few weeks.
Coram Deo Guides + Devos
Rock Bridge App
Coram Deo Merch
Coram Deo Corner Newsletter
Faq's
First and foremost, Coram Deo is a discipleship journey. We want to deepen our understanding of who God is and our response to Him in every aspect of our lives. When we live before the face of God, we freely respond with surrender, generosity, trust, and worship in every area of our lives.
We want you to continue growing as a disciple by attending weekend services, becoming a Serve Team Member, growing in prayer and Bible reading, joining a Connect Group, and making a positive impact in your local community.
Next, Coram Deo is designed to help Rock Bridge move vision forward. There are seven initiatives of a two-year vision for Rock Bridge, and you’ll see those on this website across three paths: Finding Fullness, Forging Fellowship, and Following Jesus.
Financial resources make the vision possible. We invite you to pray and discern how God would ask you to give to this vision, allowing Him to inspire and challenge you.
The best way to be all in on Coram Deo includes giving. With that said, we recognize that people are at various stages on their giving journey. We encourage you to take the next step in giving. This is a great time for some to start giving for the first time! Our whole church is part of Coram Deo over these next two years. We hope that God will grow generosity inall of us over the next two years, but feel free to explore other ways to serve in Coram Deo as we move forward. You can jump into serving at events, on a serve team, go on mission trips, and more!
Coram Deo is about where God is leading Rock Bridge.
We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to support, and we would love for you to make Rock Bridge your home and join us on this discipleship journey. If you are ready, this is the perfect time to put a stake in the ground and make this your church. You can learn more about Rock Bridge by coming to our next “All In” membership class.
Coram Deo Series — January 8th through February 1st
Commitment Sunday — January 25th
Coram Deo fulfillment timeline — January 2025 through January 2027
We’re here to help you! For all questions related to Coram Deo, please email info@rockbridge.cc.