Investing in Missional Leaders

Investing in Missional Leaders

September 26, 2011

LOUISVILLE, KY  Leaders of the Fellowship of Presbyterians celebrate with The Reverend Dr. Jim Singleton his pending appointment to the faculty of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year.

Dr. Singleton, who will continue as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church until July 2012, is personally energized by the opportunity to be teaching courses in practical ministry and evangelism.  Although his departure from First Presbyterian is difficult, it is also the fulfillment of a call placed on his heart by God over 20 years ago when he left his first pastorate in San Antonio for graduate school.  Since then Jim has served congregations in Spokane and Austin before coming to Colorado Springs in 2005.

This move is also very good news for the Fellowship of Presbyterians.  The first priority of the Fellowship is nurturing missional ways of being the Church, including the training of new generations of leaders and the continuing nurture of those who are already in congregational leadership.   In the intervening months before Jim begins at Gordon Conwell, the session of First Presbyterian is allowing him to invest more significant time into crafting the identity of the Fellowship, and defining the nature and design of the proposed new Reformed body.

Work on the polity and the theology necessary for these projects is already well underway as the Fellowship prepares for the next national Gathering, January 18-20 in Orlando, FL.

6 Responses

  1. Becky Szeyller says:

    Dear Jim, I heard you speak this summer in Montreat, NC and very much appreciated your presentation. Thank you for your hard work. I believe that even though we are in very tense times, God is constantly working in our lives, especially during trials, to accomplish His loving purpose. Congratulations on your new chapter in life at Gordon Conwell Seminary. Missional leaders for Christ will be blessed with your teaching.
    With love and respect, your sister in Christ,
    Becky Szeyller

  2. Rev. Jim Deal says:

    Congratulations, Jim! We celebrate this new call with you…

  3. Congratulations, Jim! We still miss you all in Austin. I pray you will keep heeding God’s call on your life and that you’ll be both a blessing and be blessed by this latest call….keep leading with the Bible! In Christ, Susan Stotesbery

  4. Jim: Congratulations! Gordon Conwell is a very lucky seminary to have your talents. May the LORD bless you and your family as you make this move. Chris

  5. Bud Frith says:

    God has raised up this leader to see the vision so vital to continuing our missional focus. Thank you Jim, for your tireless efforts to keep the church moving forward in these challenging times.

  6. Jim,

    I extend a future welcome into the bounds of the Presbytery of Northern New England. We look forward to your voice, clarity of theology, and emphasis on evangelism. This presbytery, needs a big turn around. During the first decade of the 21st century we managed to loose about 25% of our membership. We have not planted a new church since the late ’80s, with the exception of absorbing several immigrant groups. A new great awakening is sorely needed here in New England.

    Bob Merrill
    New London, New Hampshire

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