CHURCH MINISTRIES
Deacons
The Deacons are a select group of men “of good repute, full of the
spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3). They assist the pastor in spiritual
matters pertaining to the church. They are essentially responsible for
the general welfare of the church and its membership. They are to foster
evangelism, visit the sick, serve communion, care for the needy,
strengthen the fellowship, pray for the growth and development of
church, pastor, and people. These men are carefully selected by the
Pastor, approved by the Deacons, and then ratified by the church body.
Deaconesses
The Deaconesses “must be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all
things” (1 Timothy 3:11). They are generally the wife of a Deacon or
Minister of the church. They assist the Pastor and the Deacons. Their
duties are many, among which are helping those in need, preparing the
Communion Table, assisting candidates in preparation for Baptism, and
generally striving to serve the church and the community. These women
are carefully selected by the Pastor, approved by the Deacons and
Deaconesses, and then ratified by the church body.
Trustees
The Trustees consists of a group of men and women who act as the
stewards of the church’s finances, properties, and possessions. Among
the major duties of the Trustees are: maintaining or improving the
church property; holding the property of the church; arranging for minor
repairs; advising the church relative to major repairs or improvements;
and account for all the church finances. The Trustees are res ponsible
for the recommendation and review of the church’s annual budget. These
men and women are carefully selected by the Pastor, approved by the
Deacons, and then ratified by the church body.
Christian Education
We must be equipped in our knowledge and understanding of God’s word.
Christian Education leads to spiritual growth and maturity, teaching us
how to apply God’s word to our daily lives. “Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.” —2 Timothy 2:15
Church School
Designed to meet the educational and spiritual needs of our
children, youth, and adults so they may grow into mature Christian
disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Church School provides the
opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures by
researching the Bible and asking questions. We have classes for all
ages.
Bible Study
Bible Study is the foundation of effective Christian education. It
effectively equips believers to grow spiritually and develop into mature
followers of Christ. Attendees develop a deeper understanding of the
Bible and an appreciation of each other’s perspectives and insights on
the Bible and Christianity.
Nurture for Baptist Churches (NBC)
The purpose of NBC is to equip church members for discipleship and
personal ministry; teach Christian theology and Baptist doctrine,
Christian ethics, Christian history, and church polity and organization;
equip church leaders for service; and interpret and undergird the work
of the church and the denomination.
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
This is a one-week Bible-based curriculum held each year in July.
VBS is a time for parents, students, the community, and the church to
come together to learn, to be challenged, and to enhance their
individual knowledge about Jesus Christ. On Friday evening, there is a
program where everyone assembles together to share what they have
learned during the week. We have classes for all age groups.
Family Matters
The purpose of Family Matters is to strengthen and build families
through the study of biblical principles and practical education. We
discuss issues that are pertinent to the family from a Biblical
perspective. Family Matters meets on the first Sunday of each month.
Everyone is welcome and breakfast is served.
General Missionary Society
The General Missionary Society reaches out to the community by spreading
the love and the word of Jesus Christ in tangible ways. “Then shall the
King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I
was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”
Matthew 25:34-36
Angel Tree
Since 1992 the General Missionary Society has sponsored an annual
Jesus birthday party for children of incarcerated parents. Angel Tree
shares the love of Jesus by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and
spiritual needs of the children. On average, we serve about 35 children
each Christmas. Unfortunately, the number of families we serve is
increasing each year.
Prison Outreach
Several members have been trained to go within our penal
institutions to counsel and witness to inmates. Our choirs have traveled
to several institutions to sing, praise, and pray. The Disciples of the
Lord’s Supper Pageant have unveiled at the Last Supper scene. In
addition, we provide Bibles to inmates when the need arises and is
requested by the Chaplain of an institution.
Food Pantry
For over three decades, we have provided emergency groceries to
families in need. Our Food Pantry is licensed through the Mid-Ohio
Foodbank and is available weekly to Franklin County residents. We also
partner with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank to provide food baskets at Christmas
and host produce markets throughout the year.
Choices/Baby Layette/Blankets for the Homeless
The General Missionary Society annually collects toiletries and
paper products for Choices, a direct service provider of accredited
domestic violence programming in Central Ohio. Clothing, diapers, and
bottles for newborn babies are collected throughout the year and given
to Church Women United that administers the Baby Layette Program.
Blankets and pillows are collected for the Eastern Union Missionary
Baptist Association (EUMBA) Women’s Auxiliary that, in turn, makes
distribution to the homeless each winter.
Music
“O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of
triumph. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King,
sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises with
understanding” Psalm 47:1, 6-7. Music ushers the people of God into the
presence of the Spirit and nurtures the soil so that the word lands upon
fertile ground with an array of choirs to fit just about any genre, age
or group. We have various choirs to ensure that each worship service is
full of the message of God in song and praise. Our choirs sing a rich
selection of hymns, anthems, traditional, gospel, and contemporary
music.
Angelic Choir
The Angelics have a strong reverence for the traditional gospel
favorites of the past and present. The choir sings with strong
convictions and determination by making melodious sounds unto the Lord.
Brotherhood Chorus
The rich harmonies of male voices fill the sanctuary when the
Brotherhood sings. Rooted in quartet-style singing as well as newer
arrangements, these gentlemen bring a robust musical element to worship.
Children & Youth Choir
Our talented young people sing praises with energy and youthful zeal.
Consisting of young people ages 5 to 18, they bring a musical message
for worshippers of all ages.
Voices of Praise
The Voices sing a wide spectrum of gospel music with a message of
inspiration for all. Styles from traditional to contemporary are used to
touch all who hear them.
Mass Choir
All voices in the Music Ministry combine several times a year to render
all manner of sacred music.
Drama / Worship Arts - The Lord’s Supper Pageant
Easter 1985 witnessed the inaugural performance of the Lord’s Supper
Pageant. This stirring spirit-filled musical drama portrays the biblical
stories of Jesus and reveals the true passion of Christ’s death and
resurrection. The Pageant has become an annual ministry of the
Tabernacle Baptist Church and for 24 years the Sanctuary was transformed
into a dramatic worship experience that attracted visitors from all over
the United States. The Pageant grew in size and depth and by 2006 the
cast and crew grew to over 200 participants. In 2010, in celebration of
the 25th Annual Lord’s Supper Pageant, the drama was moved to the
600-seat Historic Lincoln Theatre and witnessed three complete sellout
performances. In 2011 and 2012 the drama was celebrated at the Historic
Southern Theatre in downtown Columbus.
Drama / Worship Arts - The Mimes
The purpose of a Christian Mime Ministry is to share the love and joy of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But first and foremost it is to always
give the glory to God. Mime is a visual way of communicating the gospel
in a unique and creative way, and it tells a story. The black markings
over a white face represents a new life in Christ. The ministry includes
three (3) groups: children, youth, and adults. They serve on the 3rd
Sunday at Tabernacle, at other churches throughout the community by
request, and on special occasions.
Hospitality
This ministry greets visitors before they enter the sanctuary for
worship service. During the worship service, they acknowledge our
visitors and extend a warm welcome to them in hope that each individual
will experience a Christ-centered, spiritually oriented atmosphere.
Nurses
Nurses are trained in CPR and church nursing procedures. The purpose
of this ministry is to provide support and comfort to members and guests
during regular worship services, funerals, and special events. This
includes rending first aid and emergency care to injured or ill
individuals. They also serve when we are guests of another church.
Ushers
Church ushers are the doorkeepers in the house of the Lord. Ushers greet
and direct members and guests to appropriate seating in the sanctuary,
pass out church bulletins and other items as requested. Ushers serve
during all worship services, designated church-wide events, and at
funerals. We have Senior, Young Adult, and Junior Ushers.
Pastor’s Service Ministry
The purpose of this “service” ministry is to assist the Pastor in
serving members with special needs, visiting pastors and other guests,
and with community needs. They send cards to our sick and shut-in
members and render service to the Pastor in anyway that allows him to
better serve the church.
Outreach Ministries - The Samaritan Project
Development Corporation (SPDC)
In February 2002 the Church gave birth to the Samaritan Project to serve
as its community outreach arm. The Samaritan Project provides Homebuyer
Education Seminars and since March of 2003 has enrolled more than 3,000
attendees. Additionally, the SPDC provides credit counseling, financial
management, and has built 18 new construction homes in the Devon
Triangle neighborhood that had not experienced new residential growth in
more than 30 years. The SPDC has assisted nearly 300 families to secure
mortgages for homes and currently works with clients involved in a
foreclosure crisis.
Outreach Ministries - Youth Fellowship League
Tabernacle Baptist Church was instrumental in the establishment of the
Youth Fellowship League in 1995 where it grew to over 15 participating
churches of different denominations. The League provides an outlet for
many of our youth to experience athletic competition in basketball and
volleyball in an environment ordained by the Church. In 2010, the name
was changed to New Saints Sports League and includes referee classes. A
banquet and trophies are awarded to participants at the end of the
basketball season.
Outreach Ministries - Summer Camp
Established in 2001, Summer Camp has been very successful as it provides
a safe and positive environment during the summer months for children
and grandchildren of our Church members and the Columbus community.
Partnering with United Way in 2007, the Summer Camp awarded 30 free
scholarships to students. In 2010, we were awarded a grant funded
through the Franklin County Commissioners and the Franklin County
Department of Job and Family Services to serve 35 eligible children.
Academic reinforcement, physical enrichment, strong character nurturing,
and fellowship highlight the 10-week session.
Outreach Ministries - Health Ministry
Our Health Ministry was established in February 2005. The congregation
has focused on health issues that disproportionately impact the
African-American community, i.e., smoking, prostate cancer, breast
cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Our Annual Health
Fair, which involves seminars and workshops from medical experts, has
been an important tool to identify and address these issues. Valuable
information and resources are available for all ages in our effort to
keep our community spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy.
Outreach Ministries - Golden Agers
The purpose of this ministry is to meet the social needs of Tabernacle’s
golden agers. Throughout the year, our seniors are involved with
activities that encourage them to participate in social outings (plays,
movies, dinners); fellowship outings (interacting with other groups from
various churches); and activities embedded in the church and its
mission.
Outreach Ministries - Children and Youth
Activities
Children and youth are an intricate part of the ministries of the
church. In addition to their involvement in Church School, NBC and VBS,
children and youth are encouraged to participate in the Mime Ministry,
sing in the choir, and become involved in Youth Sunday, which occurs the
4th Sunday of each month. Young people can also play basketball, attend
periodical Lock-ins at the church, college tours and other social
outings, such as bowling.
Computer Lab
We are doing our best to alleviate that digital divide. Our Computer Lab
is available to members and neighbors to receive instruction on the
computer. Classes are held weekly and are designed to meet everyone
where they are for the best benefit.
Outreach Ministries - Geraldine Sain Waller (GSW)
Scholarship
This scholarship was established in April 2005 and is named in honor of
our late First Lady of Tabernacle. The purpose of this scholarship is to
promote greater equality of educational opportunity for an eligible
student of Tabernacle Baptist Church. A $5,000 scholarship is awarded to
a college-bound, graduating high school senior of Tabernacle Baptist
Church. The scholarship is funded by special donations, fundraisers, and
loose change.
Outreach Ministries - Tab Light Newsletter
A quarterly publication, the Tab Light, was created in November 1998 to
provide members with articles and important information reflecting the
life of our membership. The staff works hard to provide a product that
is visually appealing as well as spiritually beneficial to all.