Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church on Madison Avenue in Paterson is known for two Sunday worship gatherings, one in English at 10:00 a.m. and one in Spanish at 12:30 p.m. Its motto is "Meeting Needs, Transforming Lives," and it pairs that phrase with a mission of serving God in the neighborhood around Madison Avenue and the city of Paterson by the power of Jesus.
Two Sunday Gatherings on Madison Avenue
Both worship gatherings meet at 494 Madison Avenue in Paterson, New Jersey 07514. The 10:00 a.m. service is held in English, and the 12:30 p.m. service is identified as "Culto en Español."
- 10:00 a.m.: English-language worship in person.
- 12:30 p.m.: Spanish-language worship in person.
The church characterizes its worship atmosphere as intergenerational and diverse, uplifting, Spirit-filled and transformational. Its discipleship commitment names children, youth and adults. A livestream and replay are available through the church's YouTube channel and its MadisonAveCRC Facebook presence.
Discipleship Across Generations and Cultures
The mission is focused on serving God in the neighborhood surrounding the church and the city of Paterson, with all power and excellence derived from the Holy Spirit. Three core values shape the way that mission is expressed.
- Making Disciples: The church values forming deeper discipleship in children, youth and adults so they can transform lives and communities for Christ.
- Cultural Diversity: MACRC describes itself as a church of all nations and cultures, existing in diversity and unity.
- Serving Neighbors: The church values service in word and deed, seeking to represent Christ to neighbors so they can represent Christ to others.
Tirrell Alston serves as Youth Ministry Leader within this intergenerational emphasis. Children, youth and adults are named together in the church's commitment to making disciples, while the worship atmosphere is intentionally described as intergenerational.
Eight Responsibilities That Shape Membership
Membership is presented as a mutual commitment. The church names spiritual accountability, a closer relationship with the body of Christ, and opportunities to serve and be served as benefits. Joining is not framed only as receiving those benefits; church members also accept responsibilities toward God, one another and the church's ministry.
Corporate Worship, Prayer and Fellowship
- Attend regularly. Members are expected to prioritize corporate worship and the gathering of God's people, although they are not expected never to miss a service or participate in every church function. Regular gathering is a vital means of deepening relationships within the church family.
- Pray consistently. The church asks members to pray for its ministries, leadership and people. This united prayer seeks God's blessing on the work of the church and the Gospel's impact on the congregation, the community and beyond.
- Live communally. Ministry teams, small groups and Bible study create settings for close relationships, mutual encouragement, prayer, accountability and building one another up as followers of Christ. The church stresses that faith is personal but is not meant to be private.
Humble Submission and Active Unity
- Submit humbly. Members are called to support, pray for and adhere to the spiritual authority of appointed leaders. This is not blind allegiance: the church explicitly rejects submission when pastors or elders fail to teach biblically.
- Preserve unity. Members are encouraged to love one another, overlook offenses when appropriate, bear with and forgive one another, and pursue biblical, God-honoring peacemaking when conflicts arise. Quarrels, gossip and divisiveness should not mark the church.
Giving, Service and the Pursuit of Holiness
- Give generously. Members are called to contribute regularly, generously and sacrificially to the financial support of the church and its ministries. The church notes that the New Testament provides principles for giving without specifying a set amount.
- Serve faithfully. Each person is encouraged to find a place of service and use spiritual gifts for the good of others. Some discover their gifts directly, while others identify needs, step up to help and discover where they can do the most good along the way.
- Pursue holiness. Bible reading, prayer and worship are priorities, with the goal of increased Christlikeness and victory over sin. Membership does not require perfection; it calls members to acknowledge failure, confess sin and return with renewed resolve.
These commitments present church membership as ongoing covenant life. Members are called to worship, pray, belong, give, serve, preserve unity and pursue obedience to Scripture together in the body of believers.
Serving the Neighborhood and Paterson
The mission names the area surrounding the church and the city of Paterson as places of service. Its Serving Neighbors value connects proclamation with action by seeking to represent Christ to neighbors in word and deed so that they can represent Christ to others.
Financial participation is also part of the church's understanding of membership. Members are encouraged to contribute to the work of the church and its ministries, and tithes and offerings can be given online.
Pastoral Leadership for English and Spanish Congregations
Rev. E. Wayne Coleman serves as Senior Pastor. Rev. Victor Piscoya is the pastor of MACRC en Español, and Tirrell Alston leads youth ministry. The Spanish-language ministry uses the Facebook identity MACRCEspanol, while MadisonAveCRC is the church's broader Facebook identity.
Madison Avenue CRC's congregational life in Paterson centers on English worship at 10:00 a.m., Spanish worship at 12:30 p.m., intergenerational discipleship, cultural diversity and service to the surrounding neighborhood and city.