our Leaders
Our Leaders Elders Mike Laughrun David Brewer Daniel Broyles Charles Chandler Scott Folsom Gene Mermilliod Lead Pastor/Elder e) mlaughrun@tcbchurch.org Executive Pastor/Elder e) dbroyles@tcbchurch.org Elder Jeff Palmeter Global Outreach Pastor/Elder e) jpalmeter@tcbchurch.org Study Groups Director/Elder e) dbrewer@tcbchurch.org Elder Stewardship Pastor/Elder e) gmermilliod@tcbchurch.org
Our Leaders Lead Pastors and Teams Mike Laughrun Daniel Broyles Lead Pastor/Elder Executive Pastor/Elder e) mlaughrun@tcbchurch.org t) @mikelaughrun Mike and his wife Jennifer grew up in East Tennessee and were married in 1995. Mike headed west in 1997 to attend Mid-America Baptist Seminary in Memphis. In 2000, he and his family moved to Las Vegas as part of a church planting team. Hope Church was born, where he served for over ten years. In 2010, God began to stir a new calling in Mike s life which eventually led him back to East Tennessee and TCBC. He became the Senior Pastor in January 2011. e) dbroyles@tcbchurch.org t) @danielbroyles Daniel has been in pastoral ministry for 15 years, serving in VA, OH, and KY before returning home to TN. Daniel has a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he also served as an adjunct professor for six years. He married his wife, Amy in 2000. They came to Tri-Cities in June of 2012. Janie Morelock Lead Pastor s Assistant e) jmorelock@tcbchurch.org GLOBAL OUTREACH TEAM The GO Team leads in areas of strategic global partnerships, local community ministry, and our church multiplication strategy. Jeff Palmeter Tim Kitts Cory Sanders GO Pastor/Elder e) jpalmeter@tcbchurch.org Community Outreach e) tkitts@tcbchurch.org GO Intern e) csanders@tcbchurch.org
Our Leaders Teams LEADERSHIP TEAM The Leadership Team exists to identify, equip, and mobilize believers for effective service. The team s areas of responsibility include guest services and assimilation, adult groups and discipleship, ministry mobilization, and communications. Suzanne Nelson David Brewer Leesa Bryan Dustin Nelson Study Groups Director e) dbrewer@tcbchurch.org Groups Assistant e) lbryan@tcbchurch.org Communication Coordinator Ministry Director e) snelson@tcbchurch.org e) dnelson@tcbchurch.org Derick Sherfey Dustin Tremaine Mike Tyson College Pastor e) dsherfey@tcbchurch.org Life Groups Director e) dtremaine@tcbchurch.org Senior Adult Pastor e) mtyson@tcbchurch.org NEXTGEN TEAM The NextGen Team is committed to creating an environment and an intentional process of discipline to newborn babies, preschoolers, children, youth, and college students. The NextGen Team s mission is to engage and prepare the next generation to make multiplying followers of Jesus Christ. Josh Carter Chelsea Booher Karen Cabaniss Paul Mermilliod NextGen Pastor e) jcarter@tcbchurch.org Student Assistant e) cbooher@tcbchurch.org Preschool Assistant e) kcabaniss@tcbchurch.org Student Pastor e) pmermilliod@tcbchurch.org
Our Leaders Teams STEWARDSHIP TEAM The Stewardship Team oversees and manages the finances and facilities God has entrusted to us. This team provides critical stewardship and support for our church family. Gene Mermilliod Mike Cansler Stewardship Pastor Campus Operations e) gmermilliod@tcbchurch.org e) mcansler@tcbchurch.org Holly Davis Lisa Ferguson Child Development Center e) hdavis@tcbchurch.org Financial Assistant e) lferguson@tcbchurch.org Beth Johnson Stewardship Assistant e) bjohnson@tcbchurch.org WORSHIP TEAM The Worship Team exists to lead the gathered church to worship God in spirit and in truth. Teams include worship bands, vocal teams, worship choir, and media/production teams. Johnny Coggin Chad Booher Josh Sander Worship Pastor e) jcoggin@tcbchurch.org Media Director e) chabooher@tcbchurch.org Worship Intern e) jsanders@tcbchurch.org
Our Leaders Elders, Pastors, Deacons, and Members Elders & Pastors An elder or pastor (also known as bishop or overseer) is a man biblically qualified and equipped by God to provide shepherd leadership for the church. The Bible places the responsibility of local church oversight/leadership on this office. At Tri-Cities Baptist Church we have taken the liberty to make a slight distinction between these two terms (elder and pastor) for the purpose of organizational structure and clarity. Our Elders provide leadership to the entire church, focusing on the overall vision, direction, and health of the body. Our Pastors provide leadership to specific areas within the church. Each pastor and his team focuses on the vision and direction within their particular area of ministry. Deacons A Deacon is a man biblically qualified and equipped by God to serve the needs of the church through care, nurturing support, and benevolence. The Bible prescribes deacons for the purpose of 1) representing and meeting these needs within the church and 2) freeing the Elders and Pastors to focus on their primary responsibilities. At Tri-Cities Baptist Church, our Deacons are organized into three areas of need: 1. Care Needs For those sick, injured, hospitalized, in grief, and mourning 2. Physical Needs For those removed from capable family and incapable of meeting necessary physical needs, such as widows, elderly, and orphans 3. Benevolent Needs For those with essential financial and resource needs Members The Tri-Cities Baptist Church member is a brother or sister in Christ equipped by God for fellowship and service within the church. The Bible teaches that we are individually gifted by God to build up and serve one another. At Tri-Cities Baptist Church our members are an army, ambassadors of Jesus, not an audience of spectators, understanding that saved people serve people. The charge to ABIDE in Christ, GATHER for Worship, CONNECT in Community, SERVE Others, and GO Make Disciples is the pursuit of every member. For more information about Membership see the What s Next packet in your notebook.
Elders & Pastors Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 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, not yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3 What is an elder? A Elder or Pastor (also known as bishop or overseer) is a man biblically qualified and equipped by God to lead the church through the proclamation of God s Word. The Bible places the responsibility of local church oversight/leadership on this office. Why do we have elders? The New Testament teaches elder leadership in the local church. And when they had appointed elders for them in every For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set in church, having prayed with fasting, they commended order what remains, and appoint elders in every city as I them to the Lord in whom they believed. directed you. Acts 14:23 Titus 1:5 The New Testament teaches a plurality of elders. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed. 1 Peter 5:1 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. Acts 20:17 What are the qualifications of an elder? Must be above reproach - Titus 1:6 Husband of one wife - Titus 1:6 Household must be in order with children who believe - Titus 1:6 Not a new convert - 1 Timothy 3:6 Self-controlled and temperate - Titus 1:7 Honorable, hospitable, seeking good - Titus 1:7 Have a good reputation - 1 Timothy 3:7 Not addicted to wine - 1 Timothy 3:3 Not greedy - 1 Timothy 3:3 Able to teach sound doctrine - Titus 1:9 Able to refute false teaching - Titus 1:9
What do elders do? Teach biblical truth Paul instructed Timothy that an overseer must be able to teach. Paul wrote to Titus, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. Titus 1:9 Guide the church s ministry Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor... 1 Timothy 5:17 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a Model a Christian lifestyle Paul told Timothy in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:12b Admonish, encourage and help believers And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Oversee finances Acts gives us a firsthand glimpse of the responsibility the elders in Jerusalem had to distribute money to the needy church members in Judea. There is very little detail about the administration of these funds, but it is clear the elders were responsible for overseeing this task. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders Acts 11:30 Pray for the sick Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14 How do elders function? Elders Function with Plurality. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church. - Acts 14:23. Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. - Acts 20:17. The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor. - 1 Timothy 5:17. Appoint elders in every town - Titus 1:5. Elders Function with Equality. Elders Function with Diversity. Elders Function with Strategic Freedom. Our Elders show overarching leadership to the whole church, directing their service to the core mission and macro level vision of the church. Our Pastors show overarching leadership to specific areas within the church, defined by demographics or function, directing their service to the micro level vision of the church.
Deacons And the twelve [disciples] summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. Acts 6:2-3 What is a Deacon? A Deacon is a man biblically qualified and equipped by God to serve the needs of the church through care, nurturing support, and benevolence. The Bible prescribes deacons for the purpose of 1) representing and meeting these needs within the church and 2) freeing the Elders and Pastors to focus on their primary responsibility. Why do we have Deacons? The New Testament affirms the office and qualifications of deacons to serve the needs of the church in 1 Timothy 3. The New Testament deacon model is found in Acts 6 and throughout the New Testament Church. We have the same basic care, support, and benevolent needs that led the early church to affirm deacons. What are the qualifications of a Deacon? Dignified (Honorable or Respectable) 1 Timothy 3:8 Not double-tongued (Consistent, Honest, or Credible) - 1 Timothy 3:8 Not addicted to much wine 1 Timothy 3:8 Not greedy - 1 Timothy 3:8 Sound in faith and life (Understanding the Gospel in belief and action) 1 Timothy 3:9 Blameless (Examined to be above reproach) 1 Timothy 3:10 Has a godly wife (Like the man, the woman must be mature and exemplorary in the faith) - 1 Timothy 3:11 Husband of one wife (Faithfully married to one woman) - 1 Timothy 3:12 Manage children and household well (Faithfully serves as the head of his home) - 1 Timothy 3:12 What do Deacons do? Care for the sick and injured. Care for the grieving. Provide monitary assistance for those with essential financial and resource needs. Provide nurturing and support for those removed from capable family and incapable of meeting necessary physical needs, such as widows, elderly, and orphans. How do Deacons function? Deacons Function with Plurality. Deacons Function with Equality. Deacons Function with Diversity. Deacons Function with Strategic Freedom. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. Acts 6:3 At Tri-Cities Baptist Church our Deacons are organized into three areas of need. 1. Care Needs For those sick, injured, hospitalized, in grief and mourning. 2. Physical Needs For those removed from capable family and incapable of meeting necessary physical needs, such as widows, elderly, and orphans. 3. Benevolent Needs For those with essential financial and resource needs.
Members For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:4-5 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7, Ephesians 4:11-14)