Our History
During the summer months of 2016, about 85-90 people began an evening Bible study in Nashville. By December, the congregation numbered in excess of 150 people and called Pastor Jim Bachmann to serve as the organizing pastor of the new church named Westminster Chapel. Pastor Jim answered the call, coming from Covenant Presbyterian in Green Hills where he had served for twenty-five years as senior pastor.
Westminster Chapel first worshiped at the Brentwood Sheraton Hotel, then moved to Julia Green School on the first Sunday of 2017. In early 2018, the congregation purchased property at 6000 Pasquo Road, immediately adjacent to the Stephens Valley development, a planned community in the western part of Davidson County.
In January 2019, Westminster Chapel changed the church name to Stephens Valley Church in order to more closely identify with the community in which their direct ministry would be located. At the same time, construction began on a permanent church facility. We moved into our new building in March 2020.
Our History
We enthusiastically embrace and proclaim the historic doctrines of grace as summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith (with proof texts), the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.We are organized according to the Stephens Valley Church Polity (SVCP). We are governed by a ruling Council consisting of the senior pastor and elders. Our assistant pastors are a vital part of the ministry but do not serve on the Council. Elders are divided into two categories: shepherds and stewards. All stewards are shepherds, but not all shepherds are stewards.
All Elders have shepherding oversight over a small number of families and individuals. Stewards, however, have the additional responsibility of serving on the Council and working closely with the senior pastor to oversee each ministry in the church, formulate the philosophy of ministry and vision, establish budgetary priorities, and implement personnel decisions. We also have a committee of deacons that reports to the Council. All officers are vetted and trained before the congregational election.
Our Vision
The mission of Stephens Valley Church is to love the church, the city, and the world with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. From that mission emerges our vision which is to have a unified, growing, multi-generational congregation that is excited to worship and serve our risen King. God is best glorified in our worship when we corporately delight in Him, sing His praises, proclaim His word, observe His sacraments, enjoy sweet fellowship, and advance His kingdom.
Just as a healthy body grows and reproduces, so a healthy church will grow and multiply, not only locally but globally. We enthusiastically resolve to support home and world missions, evangelism, and discipleship endeavors. Generosity and faithful stewardship should come naturally to people who have been "bought with a price," the blood of Jesus Christ. He said the world would know we are Christians by our love; therefore, we will have frequent fellowship opportunities designed to stimulate each other to love and good deeds.
We have plans to begin planning and development on a Sanctuary in the near future in addition to expanded office, teaching, and fellowship spaces.