The Germantown Church of Christ meets on Poplar Pike in Germantown, Tennessee, in a building where three parking lot entrances open onto a wide campus serving Bible classes for every age. Its members describe the congregation with a four-word rhythm: Praising, Caring, Growing, Sharing. That focus shapes everything from the a cappella worship services to the youth ministry's motto - "We are the church. Now, not next." - written by youth minister JP Wamble.
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
Sunday worship takes place twice on the Germantown campus: at 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Each service lasts about an hour, with no assigned seats, and the order follows a New Testament pattern. Members sing a mix of classic hymns and contemporary songs a cappella - without instruments - with lyrics projected on video screens for everyone to follow. Communion is observed every Sunday as a memorial of Christ's death, and a weekly collection supports the work of the church; visitors are not expected to give. A sermon is drawn directly from Scripture, and attendees are encouraged to scan a QR code to record their visit. Services are livestreamed online, with archives kept on a rolling 90-day basis.
The same a cappella approach shapes the Wednesday evening program. A brief devotional opens the 7:00 PM Bible study period, after which the auditorium clears into smaller classrooms.
Bible Classes for Every Age
Bible classes meet Sunday mornings at 10:15 AM and Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. Children from birth through kindergarten gather in the Children's Bible School wing behind the auditorium. First through sixth graders meet upstairs in Grace Land, and teenagers gather in the Youth Room on the same upper floor, accessible by stairs at the East entrance or the South entrance at the back of the building.
Adult offerings are particularly varied. On Sunday mornings the auditorium fills for The Presence and Power of God with Phillip Faulkner, while other classes range from The Life and Character of David and A Textual Study of the Old Testament to The Works of C.S. Lewis and Living the Sermon. Wednesday classes include Authentic Manhood with Glenn Daily, The Story of Ruth with Carolyn Hladky, Things We Surely Believe with Dave Phillips, and a Singing Class with Tim Vann.
The Youth Group: The Church Now, Not Next
The Germantown Youth Group (GYG) is one of the church's most visible ministries. JP Wamble, the youth minister, has written the group's identity statement plainly: "Many times, we hear and say that our youth are the future of the church. Personally, I'm not a big fan of that statement. Why? Because our youth are the church. Now, not next."
GYG meets on a steady rhythm of regular activities. Punkin' Carvin' on Wednesday evenings in late October is a beloved fall gathering. After @, held on the first Wednesday of each month, sends the youth to a different hangout - Sonic, Baskin-Robbins, or somewhere similar - for a casual night. Dinner and Devo nights happen at members' homes and pair a meal with a devotion. The annual Fall Retreat takes the group out of town for a weekend of Bible study and fellowship, while RUSH in September packs a single day with lessons and worship at Freed-Hardeman University. Area Wide youth gatherings rotate among neighboring congregations, including Millington and Woodland Hills churches of Christ. The youth bulletin, Youth Vision, keeps teens and parents informed about upcoming events.
Lads to Leaders
Lads to Leaders is a national Bible-centered leadership and recognition program that Germantown supports with enthusiasm. Each August the church holds an L2L Kickoff Banquet to register participants for the new year. In April, families travel to Nashville for the annual Lads to Leaders Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. A Recognition Night at the Germantown building wraps up the year's achievements, followed by finger foods and fellowship. The 2025-2026 L2L theme, "Faith Works," is the basis for the church's annual storyline video entry.
Missions Far and Near
Mission work stretches from Germantown across the world. The church supports four missionaries as full partners: Eddie Lewis in Mississippi, Sasha Maliuga in Ukraine, Leslie Williams in Canada, and Alfred Zike in Greece. The Ukraine connection has been especially active; the congregation has hosted a report on the food distribution network feeding 7,000 people a day during wartime.
Closer to home, the Mission: Memphis, SERVE Memphis, Hope for Haiti, and North Mississippi efforts point the church toward regional needs. Short Term Missions trips take members into the field directly. Shared Blessings, held each November at the Midtown church of Christ on Union Avenue, gathers volunteers to assemble boxes of groceries for families in need at Thanksgiving - usually 200 or more. Sweet Blessings supports the Emmanuel Center in its work among children and families. The church also partners with Children's Homes and visits those in prison through a long-standing prison ministry.
Ministry Life for the Whole Family
Germantown's ministry roster runs far deeper than its Sunday schedule. For adults, Lighthouse Ministry, the Men's Ministry (also called GEARS), the Women in God's Service (WINGS), and the Young at Heart seniors group each give members their own gathering rhythm. Small groups called Heart Groups meet in homes across the area, and Marriage Enrichment underwrites the annual Marriage Retreat at The Country Place in Moscow, Tennessee. New Member Orientation helps newcomers find their footing, while the Visitation ministry keeps the church connected to members who can't easily attend.
Children's Education, Children's Bible Hour (Sunday evenings for ages 3 through first grade), and Vacation Bible School make up the core work with young families. Media and Worship ministries coordinate the Sunday services and the online presence. Spiritual Leadership Ministry, led by Glenn Daily, develops future leaders within the body.
Community Outreach
Beyond its own walls, the church keeps a long list of practical ministries running. Firehouse Ministry supports local first responders, and Transportation Services offers rides for members who can't easily get to the building. Disaster Relief efforts help communities after storms and emergencies. World Bible School connects interested learners worldwide by mail and online.
What to Expect When You Visit
Visitors are greeted at the door and shown the information tables in the front foyer, where they can pick up a weekly bulletin, flyers about Bible class offerings, and information about the congregation. Video screens share updates on classes and upcoming events.
Parking is straightforward. Three entrances serve the parking lot along Poplar Pike. Visitor parking is closest to the building. Those dropping off young children for Bible class should park at the back of the building and enter on the left. Teen, adult, and Grace Land Bible classes are upstairs, accessible from the East doors, the back doors on the South entrance, or the East side of the building. For worship in the auditorium, the front and either the East or West entrance are the easiest path.
Dress runs the full range. Some members wear suits, ties, and dresses; others come in casual clothing. The church's guidance is simply to wear what makes you comfortable.
A cry room at the back of the auditorium is available for parents of infants during any worship service. Children's Bible Hour is offered on Sunday evenings for children age 3 through first grade.
Leadership and Governance
The congregation is led by seven elders: Barry Chapman, Mark Conder, Glenn Daily, Steve Haynes, Barry Kelton, Joe Skelley, and Tim Vann. Glenn Daily and Joe Skelley also serve in ministry staff roles as Spiritual Leadership Minister and Senior Adult Minister.
The ministry staff includes Dave Phillips as Pulpit Minister, Brian Stewart as Engagement Minister, JP Wamble as Youth Minister, and Joshua Lanius as Communications Minister.
A team of deacons oversees specific areas of service. They include Michael Carroll (Marriage Enrichment, Teen Education), John Dorian (Communion, World Outreach), Ricky Echols (Local Benevolence), Al Gabriel (Missions, Teen Education), Chris Hicks (Song Leading), Scott Horner (Worship Coordinator), Shawn Lillie (Education Support, Missions), David Mars (Missions), Mike Parham (Men's Ministry, Prisons), Jason Speed (Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry), Jeff Spence (Missions), Adam Stewart (Children's Education), Mickey Weeks (New Members), and Jodi Whitfield (Missions).
Beliefs
Germantown teaches six core beliefs. The church affirms that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead. It holds the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative Word of God and its guide for faith and practice. It teaches that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory but are justified by His grace through redemption in Jesus Christ. Baptism is described as an essential part of God's plan for salvation. Each congregation is understood to be independent and governed by local leaders, with Jesus Christ as the head of the church. Worship follows the New Testament pattern.
Online Giving and Connection
Giving is available online through the ShelbyNEXT mobile app, by SMS text to 901-437-8723, or through the church's online form. Members can also access an Instant Church Directory from a smartphone or tablet to stay connected to one another.