New York Avenue Church of Christ gathers at 5371 New York Avenue in Arlington, Texas, for a congregation centered on Bible study, worship, and active family life. The church welcomes visitors to its services, and its congregation is warm, friendly, and loving. Its aim is to follow the New Testament as the only guide and authority, speaking where the Bible speaks and remaining silent where it is silent. That conviction shapes the congregation's worship, teaching, and the way it organizes families, students, women's groups, benevolence, and missions.
Visitors can take part in a regular rhythm of gatherings. Sunday begins with Bible class at 9:00 AM, followed by worship at 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Wednesday Bible study begins at 7:00 PM. The church also hosts a Wednesday Ladies Bible Class at 10:00 AM from September through May and a Tuesday Young Ladies Bible Class at 10:00 AM during summer. All of these gatherings take place at the church's New York Avenue location.
Bible Study and Worship Through the Week
The Sunday and Wednesday rhythm places Scripture and worship at the center of church life. The 9:00 AM class precedes the two Sunday worship services, while the Wednesday gathering provides a midweek time for Bible study. The ladies' classes add regular study opportunities for women at different stages of life.
- Sunday Bible Study: 9:00 AM
- Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00 AM
- Sunday Evening Worship: 5:30 PM
- Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM
- Wednesday Ladies Bible Class: 10:00 AM, September through May
- Tuesday Young Ladies Bible Class: 10:00 AM, during summer
The church's connection to World Bible School adds a free Bible study beyond regular classes. Each participant receives a personal study helper who answers questions and becomes a friend in learning about Jesus.
Worship Directed to God and Shaped by Scripture
The church's worship is grounded in John 4:23-24, which calls for worshiping the Father “in the Spirit and in truth.” From that passage, New York Avenue identifies three qualities: worship is directed to God, prompted by the right spirit, and done according to his Word.
Its worship pattern includes singing, praying, partaking of the Lord's Supper, preaching, and giving. Singing is tied to Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16; prayer to Acts 2:42 and 1 Timothy 2:8; the Lord's Supper to Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 10:16 and 11:23-28; preaching to Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 4:1-4, and Matthew 28:18-20; and giving to 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 and 9:6-8. Together, these practices express a worship service directed wholly to God.
The church is honored by visitors' presence and wants each guest to feel welcome. Visitors are invited to attend any of its services.
Following the New Testament in Faith and Organization
At the heart of the church's identity is the teaching that the New Testament is the rule of faith and practice for the church, its organization, its worship, and the plan of salvation. The phrase “church of Christ” is descriptive, indicating that the church is Christ's possession, rather than a denominational label. The church has no earthly headquarters. Each congregation is autonomous, self-ruled, and independent of every other congregation.
The New Testament refers to the church as the church of Christ, the body of Christ, and the church of God. These descriptions place the focus on Christ and the church he possesses, while the autonomy of congregations prevents the New York Avenue church from being tied to an earthly headquarters or national organization.
New York Avenue is overseen by a plurality of elders. Deacons serve under the elders' direction, while preachers, ministers, and evangelists also serve under their oversight. This structure gives the local congregation responsibility for worship, missions, benevolence, education, member care, facilities, and technology while preserving the independence of congregations.
The Gospel Plan of Salvation
The church preaches the gospel plan of salvation revealed in the New Testament through six steps:
- Hear the gospel. People must hear the message of Christ.
- Believe the gospel. Those who come to God must believe that he is and rewards those who seek him.
- Repent of sin. The gospel calls all people everywhere to repent.
- Confess Jesus as Lord. Confession follows belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
- Be baptized by immersion. Repentance and faith are followed by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
- Live a Christian life. Those who are redeemed are called to proclaim the excellencies of God.
The church also teaches that the church was established at the first Pentecost following Christ's resurrection, in A.D. 33. This conviction is joined to its practical insistence on using Bible names for Bible things and doing Bible things in Bible ways.
Family Involvement: Upward, Inward, Outward
Family Involvement Ministry is the hub of church life at New York Avenue. Its work has three directions: Upward, Inward, and Outward.
Upward: Personal and Family Growth
The upward goal is personal spiritual growth that strengthens the faith of a family. The church offers personal Bible study with its ministers, Bible classes, parenting classes or sessions, and men's and women's retreats. These opportunities are intended to equip people for an active, spiritually strong faith at home.
Inward: Fellowship Across Generations
The inward goal strengthens Christian fellowship within New York Avenue and with other congregations. Brother's Keepers support groups meet once a month for Bible study. Congregational fellowship luncheons and dinners bring people together for holidays and events, while Road Runners offers monthly activities for retirees and empty nesters. Men's and women's ministries, Lads 2 Leaders, the Summer Youth Series, and High F.I.V.E. activities add more ways to build relationships. High F.I.V.E. activities continue throughout the year for all ages.
Outward: Evangelism, Benevolence, and Mission
The outward goal shares faith with the community. The church offers reading materials for personal evangelism, door-to-door opportunities, and personal Bible study. Community outreach and benevolence include Vacation Bible School, Packs and Pencils school-supply outreach, Trunk or Treat, and other activities. Missions include work in Chimala in the Philippines, other missions efforts in Arlington, and missions around the world.
Youth, Lads 2 Leaders, and Vacation Bible School
A Youth Community for Grades 7 Through 12
The youth ministry serves students in grades 7 through 12 who want to follow and worship Jesus Christ. It works to create a community in which students feel they belong, have a gift to contribute, and someone to serve. Active adult volunteers work closely with the students to plan events, devotionals, camp trips, and other experiences. The volunteers also provide an intergenerational connection between students and the church, showing young people Jesus living in the lives of adults.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, grow in leadership, and find community. The ministry wants faith to become their own and to shape worship, service, relationships, and future plans. Its goal is for God to stand at the center of their lives. Youth updates and event details are also shared through Lightpost messaging.
Lads 2 Leaders
Lads 2 Leaders helps children and young people develop leadership and spirituality by creating a network of young people and mentors committed to God, his Word, and his church. The program is part of the church's family life. An annual Lads 2 Leaders convention in Orlando adds fun and recognition for students who have worked in the program.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is the church's annual free summer Bible program for children entering Pre-K through 6th grade. Each session includes Bible stories, games, crafts, and a snack.
Women's Ministry
The Women's Ministry includes women of all ages, from those just out of high school to great-grandparents. It offers Bible classes and retreats for spiritual growth, along with opportunities to serve and use personal talents. Frequent get-togethers, both spontaneous and planned, help women build a support group of Christian sisterhood. The ministry welcomes women from all walks of life and all ages to participate.
Elders and Deacons with Defined Areas of Service
Leadership at New York Avenue is shared through elders who oversee major areas of congregational life and deacons who serve in specific areas:
- Douglas Martin is an elder overseeing worship services, missions, benevolence, and technology.
- Joe Binion is an elder overseeing education, member care, library, and facilities.
- Richard Cheek is a deacon with benevolence as his area of service.
- Raul Rendon is a deacon with missions as his area of service.
- Willie Stults is a deacon with the Welcome Ministry and outside facilities as his areas of service.
- Andy Bennett is a deacon with finances as his area of service.
- Manuel Sanchez is a deacon with information technology as his area of service.
- Carson Gentry serves as youth minister.
Carson and Carlee Gentry are dedicated to serving the church's youth ministry. Their work with adult volunteers and students includes planning events, devotionals, and camp trips while helping teenagers find belonging, grow in leadership, and develop a faith of their own.
Live Video and a Bible-Centered Sermon Archive
Weekly sermons are available through the church's live video stream. The sermon archive separates messages into Sunday morning sermons, Sunday evening sermons, and the Wednesday evening class. Messages can also be organized by topic, series, book, speaker, or date.
The topic collection includes character, grace, hope, prayer, service, and worship. The book collection reaches through both Old and New Testament material, including Joshua, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Daniel, Matthew, Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and 2 Timothy. This organization makes room for biblical study across different books, subjects, and parts of the week.
The church also offers online contributions as a regular part of church life. Online giving, weekly video, and personal Bible study complement the congregation's worship, teaching, family ministries, outreach, and mission work.
At 5371 New York Avenue in Arlington, New York Avenue Church of Christ is an independent congregation centered on worship, Bible study, and active service. Its Sunday and Wednesday rhythms connect Scripture with family formation, youth leadership, women's fellowship, benevolence, and missions, while its identity remains that of the church of Christ, self-ruled and following the New Testament in faith and practice.