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| Submitted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008; 10:04 a.m. print this page ● feedback ● main ALSBOM site |
In the past two decades, the subject of leadership has been a
cottage industry for authors, conference speakers and the
general public. Almost every reader has read at least one book
on this ambitious subject. The old debate concerning leadership
centers around whether a leader is born or made. I choose to
believe that leaders are both born and made.
For Christians, leadership is an absolute essential. Churches
need good and godly leaders. I might add that denominations do
too. That brings me to the point of this feature in this blog
edition. I want to offer a tribute to two well-known Alabama
Baptist leaders.
The first leader I want to affirm is Roger Willmore, pastor of
the Deerfoot Baptist Church in the Birmingham area. I have known
Roger for decades and I have always respected him as a friend
and fellow pastor. Roger takes the preaching ministry very
seriously. He was mentored by the late great Stephen Olford.
When I hear Roger preach, I can detect the masterful influence
of Stephen Olford in his style and spirit.
Roger Willmore is also an excellent pastor. I have some family
connections with Deerfoot and they, among so many others, have
the highest regard for his compassionate and competent pastoral
ministry. He really has a "pastor's heart."
I have been the recipient of his caring pastoral ministry too.
Earlier this year, when my mother became ill and then weeks
later passed away, Roger Willmore was right there by my side
walking me through this difficult time of grief and loss. He
delayed his trip to the SBC meeting in Indianapolis so that he
could conduct her funeral. I remember his words to me, "Now, I
am not leaving you until we have your mother's funeral." That is
the epitome of pastoral ministry. Being a pastor to fellow
ministers is going way beyond the call to duty.
The second leader I want to honor is Jimmy Jackson, pastor of
Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville. Jimmy is a towering
figure in Alabama Baptist life. He has served with dedication
the Whitesburg Church for more than 30 years. During that time,
the church family has experienced growth in numerous ways. Few
pastors in the SBC can equal his strong and steady tenure in
this pastorate.
I first met Jimmy in June 1978 when he and his family came to
Whitesburg from Merritt Island, Fla. Our brief meeting was in
Atlanta for the Southern Baptist Convention. I was a
twenty-something pastor who wanted to introduce myself to the
new pastor of one of our strongest churches. Jimmy took time to
be cordial and conversational with me, and I will never forget
the feeling of acceptance and affirmation I received from the
initial contact.
Jimmy Jackson is a rock solid expository preacher in the same
ilk of Jerry Vines and the late Adrian Rogers. Additionally,
Jimmy Jackson is a visionary leader and devoted pastor. He is
well known in the SBC as well as in our state convention. Jimmy
is a friend to pastors and church leaders in every kind and size
of church in our convention. This is evidenced in the
testimonies of pastors and lay people echoing across our state.
The reason I pay tribute to these two outstanding men is that
they both have served as leaders among us in Baptist life. Roger
Willmore has just completed his most effective two terms of
service as president of our state convention. He has been
excellent in this servant-role. All Alabama Baptists can be
proud of what he has done to keep us focused on the Great
Commission.
Recently, Jimmy Jackson was elected without opposition to the
position of president of our state convention. He brings immense
pastoral and denominational experience to this role of strategic
leadership.
Join me in praying for him as he commences his time of service
among us. Also, remember to say thank you to Roger Willmore. He
went beyond the call of duty. We can be proud of both of these
men and perhaps when we search for a definition of leadership,
we can point to them and say, "There go two men who are living
definitions of the word 'leader'."
