LEADERSHIP & STAFF
At Lebanon Road Church of Christ, we are blessed with wonderful elders, deacons, ministers and staff members. We have 7 elders shepherding our congregation & 12 deacons to help carry out the responsibilities such as ministering to the needy, visiting the sick, caring for the church’s property, and assisting at worship.
Without evangelists, we are not able to spread the word of God for “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14. The term evangelist, which comes from the Greek word Euangelistes, is a derivation of the word Euangelion which is translated “gospel”. The gospel is the good news, which makes the evangelist the bringer of the good news.
ELDERS
One group of functional leaders which God placed within the church is described by three different terms in the New Testament. We usually call them “elders” (Titus 3:1), but two other terms used in the New Testament to refer to this group and the work they do are “overseer”(I Timothy 3:1) and “shepherd” (I Peter 5:1-2).
In part, we know the responsibilities of the elder/overseer/shepherd by how these terms were used in New Testament times. The title “elder” indicated someone who by reason of experience and wisdom were recognized as community leaders and examples. The word “overseer” (or “bishop”) suggested a manager or administrator. It carried the idea of someone who was a “steward”, that is, someone who was responsible for making sure that jobs get done and that the general welfare of the community is provided for. And finally, the word “shepherd” (or “pastor”) indicated a person who cared for the well-being of others. It suggested the idea of being responsible for protecting and providing for others.
Two clearly marked lists of qualifications of the elder/overseer/shepherd are found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. The purpose in both of these passages is to show us the kind of leaders God wants us to have. We are blessed to have 7 men like these shepherding our congregation. They are:
CARY CLAY | AL GRIFFIN | Steve Ledbetter | Mark Pugh | BRIAN ROOLEY | Scotty Studer | Lynn Wright
DEACONS
At Lebanon Road we are blessed to have a wonderful group of deacons. Like elders, deacons are a special class of functional leaders in the church. We know this because, like elders, the New Testament presents a list of qualifications which must be met before one can serve as a deacon (I Timothy 3:8-13).
The name “deacon” literally means a servant and suggests that they are assistants who serve under the supervision of the elders/overseers/shepherds. Their responsibilities are quite varied as they carry out many different types of service including, but certainly not limited to, ministering to the needy, visiting the sick, caring for the church’s property, and assisting at worship. Presently, we have been blessed with the following very conscientious deacons at Lebanon Road:
JAY DANLEY | Philip Denny | MATT GIBSON | Tony Grigsby | Gavin Hammers | Lon Keele
James lashlee | BJ MORRIS | JUAN OVALLE | Tim Roberts | NICK ROLLINS
David Schow | John Smith | SHANE WILLIAMS | Alan Witt
JD BUCKNER | Pulpit Minister
JD is the pulpit minister for the Lebanon Road church of Christ. He and his wonderful wife, Maria, have been married since 2002. They have two children: James David was born in 2006 and Jude in 2008. Toward the end of 2014, JD became the pulpit minister after serving as the youth minister since 2008.
JD was raised in Dayton, TN where he graduated from Rhea County High School. He then graduated in 2003 from Freed-Hardeman University with a B.S. in Bible, and also received his minor in Spanish. In 2006 he received a Master of Arts degree in the New Testament from Freed-Hardeman. JD also played soccer for Freed-Hardeman University. In college, JD worked with the Juno church of Christ in Lexington, TN teaching classes and preaching when able. JD served as youth/associate minister for the church of Christ in Paris, Tennessee from 2002-2007.
In addition to preaching and ministering, JD has taught a New Testament Greek course for the local members in Paris, TN and coached soccer for different ages and levels of play. He has been involved in many national and international mission efforts including three trips to Panama and a two-month effort in Bangkok, Thailand. JD has been blessed to speak for many youth rallies and gospel meetings in the Tennessee area.
JD is proud to have a family filled with faithful Christians who serve as preachers, elders, Bible class teachers, Christian wives, and song leaders. He enjoys spending time with his family, reading, writing, watching movies, and SCUBA diving. His favorite book in the Bible is the Gospel of John.
ANDREW THOMPSON | Youth Minister
In April of 2018, Andrew, Joy, and Henderson made the decision to leave the mother land of Alabama and move to the foreign land of Tennessee. In that move, they would begin working with Lebanon Road as the Youth Minister. Their passion for young people is quite evident and is one of the reasons that Joy and Andrew were made for each other (among other things). It is without question, Andrew and Joy have the cutest kid on this planet. Henderson, born in 2017, will bring much joy to your life with his smile and personality.
Andrew’s journey to youth ministry took him to the University of Alabama where he studied Human Development, specifically Youth and Adolescent Development. It is in Tuscaloosa where Andrew met his beautiful wife, Joy, while performing together in Footloose the Musical. They would wed on August 3, 2013 in Gulf Shores, AL (beach bums!).
Andrew enjoys such things as college football (ROLL TIDE!), teaming up with his wife, a good book, playing jokes on his wife, cooking/grilling, hanging out with the Lebanon Roadies!, getting sunburned at the beach, jumping into swimming pools, translating for Henderson, riding roller coasters, enjoying life, changing the stinkiest of diapers, traveling/cruising, all while loving the Lord and his family! Andrew also majors in sarcasm and dry sense of humors.
Andrew and Joy are excited to see how God will use them to help transform our students in to disciples of Christ who Seek God, Serve Others, and Go Out Into the World! We hope you will join them in this journey, as well, and will continually be in prayer for our students and families.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:28
RACHEL WILLIAMS | Secretary
MORE INFO COMING SOON
SHANE WILLIAMS | Visual Design, Web & Video
Shane Williams is the Visual Design & Web Manager for the Lebanon Road church of Christ. He and his wife, Rachel, both grew up at Lebanon Road and were married on March 16, 2013. Shane graduated from Goodpasture Christian School in Nashville TN and then graduated from Nashville State in 2012 with a degree in Visual Communications (Graphic Design & Videography) Shane & Rachel enjoy pretty much anything outdoors, including hiking, biking, rafting, camping and traveling to places “off the beaten path.” They also have 2 children.
Shane has experience in all aspects of visual communications and social media. He has produced many graphics, flyers, websites (including Lebanon Road’s website, and the Connect Conference website), advertisements, teaching aids, and much more. He also has produced several promotional videos, camp videos, special event videos, and has even started his own wedding videography business.
Most of importantly, Shane has a passion for serving God and helping others, and he feels that using the internet and technology can help further the message of the Bible in today’s world.