Servants –

Those who serving Columbus Avenue

      While all the members of the Lord’s family are servants, there are some individuals who are set apart for special works. These are some of those servants at Columbus Avenue.

      The Columbus Avenue church family is privileged to have four men serving as shepherds over this flock of God’s people. These men can be called “elders,” “presbyters,” “shepherds,” “pastors,” “overseers,” or “bishops.” Each of these terms is used Biblically to describe the same group of men charged with watching over a local congregation of God’s people. (Acts 20:17-28; 1 Peter 5: 1-3)

     Our elders do not take their responsibility to guide the flock of God under their oversight lightly. The apostle Peter charged them to shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2,3, New American Standard)

     We also currently have eleven capable individuals who have been designated as deacons for our congregation. These men, like the seven selected in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-6) are charged with the many day to day responsibilities of a congregation of God’s people.

     Our preacher is a herald of glad tidings, an evangelist, who proclaims the good news publicly and privately. He serves the congregation as teacher, exhorter, encourager, and when needed, rebuker. His work is best summed up through the words of the apostle Paul: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (1 Timothy 6:2, NAS)