Celebrating Pastor and People
April 4th, 2024
CELEBRATING PASTOR AND PEOPLE
The Communicator-April 2024
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BUTLER
My Beloved First Baptist Family:
Firstly, I should like to express my profound appreciation to you for celebrating Pastor Emeritus Julius R. Scruggs’ enduring legacy during his annual day last month. The worship experience was filled with his favorite songs, hymns, and special music, and made even more special with a musical tribute from his daughter and granddaughter and the preaching of his son. What a deeply touching moment it was to receive his greetings and to speak a blessing over him. Indeed, he means a whole lot to so many people in our community and beyond. We remain thankful for the impact of his life and the stellar example of faith he has set before us.
In recent days, I renewed my commitment to gather resources for Pastor E to write his memoir. His faith journey, justice pursuits, and denominational leadership roles are worthy of chronicling and preserving for generations to come. Clergymen and women around the country have benefited from his mentoring wisdom, his guiding hand, and his fervent prayers. Thousands of disciple-members across four congregations, including ours, have been aided spiritually by his preaching and teaching and pastoral care. These should all be remembered and curated so that aspiring pastors can draw inspiration from his faithful discharge of these duties. To that end, I invite you to join me in gathering the essential materials for a project of this kind. Please search your personal archives for any resource, i.e., photos, special bulletins, letters, etc. that would be of interest to an archivist or researcher. Mark them with significant notes and identify ownership, so they can be easily returned to you. It is my hope that we can release the project by the 145th Church Anniversary. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Secondly, I cordially invite you to participate in the Spring Discipleship Series that is now underway. You may choose a study course from our four classes: Lord, Change My Attitude; Life Lessons from Galatians; Ministering through Spiritual Gifts; and Singled Out in a Couples World. To meet the growing discipleship needs of our congregation, we are deliberate in planning a curriculum that is engaging and exciting. We gladly accept suggestions for future classes as we prepare for the summer and fall sessions. As you grow in faith and righteousness, invite others – your colleagues, neighbors, etc. – to join you. Make it a family night, indeed.
Lastly, I look forward to sharing Pastor & People Sunday with you at the end of the month. God has kept us together in ministry these past five years and we will express our thanksgiving to Him. Please don pastel colors for the worship service with our sisters wearing their favorite hat. Let us celebrate springtime in church life as we recommit to the work before us.
Meet the Students of the Gospel and the Light Seekers!
We Are The Students of the Gospel
It’s not just a catchy name, it’s a state of being. We deeply love studying the Word of God, discussing how the Bible applies to everyday life, and learning from each other. We are engaging, interacting, connecting and innovating! Our teachers love people and love engaging them in deep conversation. Everyone has a voice within the Students of the Gospel; we like to “pass the mic” and “drop the mic” with precious jewels and nuggets from life’s experiences. We LOVE to talk, so if we had a hashtag, it would be #SundaySchoolTalkers! And most importantly, we strive to “walk it like we talk it!”
Fellowship is the fabric of our class, both inside and outside of the classroom environment. Support for our classmates and support for the community are high priorities among our ranks. Our class is intentional about staying in touch with each other; we are connected in a close and Spiritual way. We are open to new and innovative ideas for outreach as we frequently select service projects that minister to the needs of our community. We genuinely love each other and like hanging out together. We often do lunch and a movie matinee on Sundays and have fellowship dinners in members’ homes and clubhouses. Our fellowship has “no walls” as we can be seen having Sunday School class under the pavilion on the church grounds or even enjoying music together at Jazz in the Park. The class is welcoming to all ages, but you will primarily see that most of us are stepping boldly out of our 50’s and moving into the next decade of adventure!
If you are enthusiastic and excited about the Word of God and want to further your journey of Christian education with a “fun group,” then we invite you to meet us for meaningful, Spirit-filled, and engaging discussion! We meet in the Snodgrass Cleaver Fellowship Hall. Come join us and become a true Student of the Gospel!
We are the Light Seekers!
We chose the name “Light Seekers” because even though we are young, we can provide a path forward for those coming behind us! We are a group of kind, fun and sweet kids that just want to learn more about Jesus! Our hashtags are #JesusRules and #SmartKids!
Our class includes a variety of age groups, ranging from 3rd - 5th Grade. That’s a huge age span for learning! However, we still enjoy communicating, learning and having fun with each other. Of course we LOVE using technology (cell phones especially) and even just plain old regular talking and conversations to get to know each other better. Our class set-up/arrangement is unique. We don’t have desks; we have couches! We can just chill and relax while learning more about Jesus! What sets us apart from other some classes is that we are students Monday through Friday and Sunday too (we must really, really, really love school…really??). We can’t vote and we can’t drive, but that doesn’t keep us from having our opinions about almost everything! We are not afraid to voice our opinions and it makes us happy and feel included when we are asked our opinions on subjects. Sometimes we don’t get asked what we think, so ask us…we are ready to respond!
We like to do things outside of the classroom to keep in touch and fellowship. We like talking to each other on Snapchat, Youth Messenger and hanging out with Youth Alive on 2nd and 4th Sundays. We participate in other ministries, like Youth Choir and the Scouting Ministry. Even on the Sundays when we don’t have Youth Alive, we still like sitting together; we’ve made real friends in Light Seekers. We attract other people to our class simply by speaking to them, striking up a conversation, and telling them about our class. We talk like kids because we ARE kids. We speak a whole different language that some may not understand! We have a lot in common with our peers so it’s easy for us to invite our friends in our “own” language.
Speak to us when you see us; talk to us and smile. You’ll feel so much better when you smile– at we’ll smile back! If you are a 3rd-5th grader or know someone from these grades bring them up to Area 412 and encourage them to become a Light Seeker.
Light Seekers:
Danielle Briggins, Yolanda Edwards, Sandra McCoy, Kim Seright.
Students of the Gospel:
Denver Betts Sr., Cheryl Davis, Chana Johnson, Denise Swain.
The Indispensable Role of Pastors in The Church
The church, as an institution, serves as a spiritual sanctuary where believers come together to worship, serve, and learn. Central to the functioning of any church community is the role of the pastor. Pastors play an indispensable role in guiding, nurturing, and equipping the congregation, ensuring the smooth operation of the church, and promoting spiritual growth among its members. In this article, we will delve into the importance of pastors in the church and their multifaceted responsibilities.
Spiritual Shepherds:
Perhaps the most crucial role pastors assume is that of spiritual shepherds. They provide guidance, teaching, and counseling to individuals seeking spiritual direction. Pastors are called to lead, encourage, and empower their congregations, helping them navigate through the challenges of life and the complexities of faith. By sharing biblical truths and prayers, pastors hold the key to spiritual transformation, offering hope, comfort, and solace to those in need.
Preachers of the Word:
A central responsibility of pastors is to preach the Word of God. Through their sermons, they inspire and challenge the spiritual growth of the congregation. Pastors bring forth the teachings of the Bible, making them relatable and applicable to the lives of the church members.
Counselors and Advisors:
In every church community, there are individuals facing personal, emotional, or relational challenges. Pastors are equipped to provide guidance and counseling through these difficult times. With a compassionate and empathetic approach, pastors lend a listening ear, offer biblical wisdom, and help individuals find healing and reconciliation. They provide a safe space for confession, repentance, and encouragement in times of doubt, grief, or confusion.
Stewards of Church Operations:
Beyond their spiritual responsibilities, pastors are also entrusted with the management and administration of the church. They oversee the day-to-day operations, manage resources, and lead teams of staff and volunteers. Pastors ensure that the church functions smoothly, adhering to financial accountability, legal requirements, and ethical standards. Through their leadership, pastors promote good governance, intergenerational engagement, and healthy organizational culture.
Visionary Leaders:
Pastors are called to be visionary leaders, guiding the church towards its purpose. They cast a compelling vision that inspires the congregation to live out the values and mission of the church. By facilitating strategic planning, encouraging innovation, and anticipating future challenges, pastors help the church adapt and grow in a changing world. Through their leadership, pastors encourage the exploration of new ministries, outreach programs, and global missions, focusing on holistic transformation and community impact.
The importance of pastors in the church cannot be overstated. They serve as spiritual shepherds, preachers of the Word, community leaders, counselors, administrators, and visionary guides. Their multifaceted responsibilities shape the well-being, growth, and impact of the church community as they nurture and equip individuals in their faith journey. Pastors carry the weight of these responsibilities with compassion, humility, and dedication, truly making them indispensable figures within the church.
Let us stand united in support of our pastor, recognizing the invaluable role he plays, and together, may we continue to grow in our faith, mirroring the love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Called To Serve
There are many roles of service for persons within the body of Christ. During the months of April and May we will recognize and celebrate our ushers who play an important role in our church. On Sunday, April 21st we will honor our Senior Ushers and on Sunday, May 19th we will honor our Intermediate and Youth ushers, both ministries, for their faithful service to the members, friends, and guests of First Missionary Baptist Church.
Pastors, preachers, teachers, and musicians minister to people in groups while ushers minister to people as individuals. A word of encouragement or kindness may be the most significant ministry some people receive. Only a few people get to meet the pastor or talk with musicians, but everyone can have an encounter with a good usher. As we take the time to thank the Lord for their service, may we see that their work is truly for the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His church. “They do it for crowns that will last forever.“ (1 Corinthians Chapter 3:11-14, 9:25)
The word usher is referred to in the Bible as a gatekeeper, doorkeeper or simply a keeper and originated from the Levites (2 Chronicles 8:14, 23:18-19). They were the overseers that David had assigned for service at the gates in the Lord’s temple, they made sure that the proper reverence was used in worship of the Lord when entering the temple, they assisted the priests in the temple, and they also were overseers of the collection of the funds.
Ushers in church aren’t just door holders and plate-passers. In the embodiment of ushering, the usher should reflect the gifts of the Spirit in his or her demeanor and actions. The qualifications of an usher aren’t clear in the Bible, but there are some qualities that great ushers will have, and the fruit of the spirit found in Galatians 5 is a solid guideline for a good usher.
- Love – In I Corinthians 13:13 the apostle Paul says, of faith, hope and love, that love is the greatest of these things. You must choose to genuinely love the people you serve as an usher.
- Joy – Take God seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. Lighten up and enjoy the moment. Your spirit will be contagious to others. If you are cold, aloof, and don’t smile you will discourage others around you.
- Peace – You can add peace, calm, and order to what might otherwise be an overwhelming and hectic experience.
- Patience – Most of us are impatient by nature. A good usher can set a good example with their patience toward others.
- Kindness – This is the attitude that makes you approachable as an usher. Going the extra mile can make all the difference in the world! Think of all the ways you could show kindness to someone as they come to worship.
- Goodness – A gift that results from the Holy Spirit’s power working within us, goodness, will naturally spill over into your service and bring an intangible but powerful presence into the worship experience.
- Faithfulness – Showing up, being responsible and doing your ministry well matters to everyone. It matters to God, and it matters to all those who call your church home.
- Gentleness – A mature usher never throws around his or her authority. The best usher is a humble one who seeks to put others first.
- Self-Control – It is impossible to control a large crowd if we cannot control ourselves. In calm moments self-control is easy, it’s under the pressure of hectic moments and last-minute changes that your grace and self-control will shine.
An usher is not “just an usher” in his or her service for the Lord. It is a position ordained by God and it is a role of importance in our church that deserves our thanks and appreciation for their service.
On behalf of Pastor Butler and the entire church family, “First Missionary Baptist Church Ushers, we love you and there’s nothing you can do about it, and we thank you for your faithful service!”
Reference:
https://www.ministrymaker.com.
Our Senior Usher Board Officers
President
Mary Joiner
Vice-President
Tina Brown
Secretary
Benjamin Long
Asst. Secretary
Phyllis Williams
Treasurer
Levon Jennings
Chaplain
Judy Edmond
Asst. Chaplain
Roosevelet Conley
Chief Usher
William Aaron
Our Senior Usher Board Members
Christopher Adams
James Crenshaw
Wendy Harris
Vivian Hicks
Michael Horry
Erlese Kent
Arthur McDonald
Deborah McDonald
Janie Palmer
Walter L. Palmer, Jr.
Dewitt Palmore
Sandra Palmore
Patricia Pope
Bertha Porter
Connie Pride, Jr.
Torre W. Ramirez
Angela Scruggs
Ronnie Shelby
Percell Sykes
Girtha Thompson
Jon Williams
James Wyckoff
Shelley Wyckoff
Welcome to the Staff, Tiffany Bradley
Tiffany Bradley brings a wealth of experience in administrative operations and a deep connection to the community to her role as Administrative Assistant at First Missionary Baptist Church.
A graduate of Alabama A&M University, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in political science. Her academic background has equipped her with strong communication skills and a keen eye for detail, qualities essential for her work in administrative roles.
With a proven track record in the legal field, Bradley has spent the past five years serving in various capacities in local law offices, including roles as a paralegal, legal assistant, and operations assistant. Her experience encompasses full-cycle legal support, demonstrating her ability to handle diverse responsibilities and navigate complex tasks efficiently.
What sets Bradley apart is her deep-rooted connection to First Missionary Baptist Church and its community. Having had her sons previously attend the church CDCA, she understands the church's values, mission, and significance within the local area. This personal connection fuels her dedication to supporting the church's operations and furthering its mission.
Bradley is a devoted mother of two boys. Her oldest son is currently a freshman at Mt. St. Mary's University, while her youngest son, soon to be nine, is following in his brother's athletic pursuits. As a dedicated "team mom," Bradley actively participates in her youngest son's sports activities, embodying her commitment to family and community involvement.
Bradley pursues her passion for writing and publishing her first book in her free time. She also enjoys traveling whenever she can, exploring new destinations, and immersing herself in different cultures. An adventurous foodie, she delights in trying new restaurants and culinary experiences, always looking for delicious discoveries.
With her strong work ethic, genuine care for others, and diverse interests, Tiffany Bradley is poised to make a meaningful difference at First Missionary Baptist Church, embodying the church's integrity, compassion, and service values.