On Sunday, January 12, 2025 I was installed as the new pastor of Lily Baptist Church in Tarrant, Alabama. You can watch the service here. Friends, family, and classmates who’ve known me all my life were there to witness the event. Many great men of God came from near and far to share in the experience. Several local pastors, I did not know personally, came to welcome me to the Birmingham, metro area. And, there were pastors I served with in Macon and Lee counties who came to bring greetings from the organizations I served with them.
The program created by our church was beautiful, inclusive, and meaningful. But the most impactful part of the service was the section dedicated to the act of installing the pastor. There was a seriousness, formality, and gravity to this part of the service that touched me at my core. I’d like to share my experience with you, hoping both pastors and churches can better understand their relationships and willingly step into the roles God has for us all.
The Charge to the Church
Dr. Nathaniel Dunlap, Jr. gave the charge to the church. It was powerful, impactful, and truthful. He communicated the depth of the church’s responsibilies in working with, serving, and supporting their pastor. What impacted me the most about his charge was the realization I needed to be a pastor worth following. I need to have kingdom work for the church to do. I need to create opportunities for meaningful service in the church and community more than being served myself. I felt the responsibility to be the kind of person who was worthy of respect and support. And personally, I need to remind myself that what I pour out spiritually has eternal significance that can only be measured in the changed lives of our members.
The Charge to the Pastor
I was blessed to have my oldest friend in the ministry and one of the two remaining signees of my Ordination Certificate deliver the charge to the pastor. Pastor Vernon Carter charged me to believe God and the stay faithful to myself. That second part was said in private conversations when I was considering Lily Baptist Church. Pastor Carter told me I didn’t need to do anything besides be myself. This was significant for me because it was validation of the work I’ve done to try and be genuine and consistent in my ministry and walk with Christ.
Rev. Dr. R. L. Patterson, in his charge, revealed to me the path of longevity. He signed my ordination nearly 30 years ago. After serving his current church for 46 years he told me to lead with love. He told me how love was able to win over his enemies. What’s so amazing is he never called them his enemies. He loved the very people who opposed him until some became his closest friends. Ultimately, he charged me to preach the Gospel in every circumstance.
The Installation Prayer
Rev. Dr. Tyree Anderson called the clergy forward to give the prayer of installation. I was surrounded by all the clergy in the room who laid their hands on me. Before praying, he explained the importance of the comradary and brotherhood of the clergy. He verbally made a clear line of demarcation between the church and the pastor, allowing each person to settle themselves in their proper place. Then he prayed. His prayer was profound but something even more impactful happened. I opened my heart to the realization of the moment and felt the spiritual weight of the hands on my shoulders. I was afraid my knees would buckle, not because of weakness, but because of significance. I felt the solemnity of the moment and the shift in the hearts of the congregation. It was the culmination of the answers to countless prayers. It was the joy of Holy Spirit validating their process. It was the hope that God would work through me as an instrument to accomplish his will in the church.
Here is the testimony from the church and the clergy: The church members have said they believe God sent me to them. The clergy, who have stood witness said, “God sent you to Lily. That’s where you’re supposed to be.”
These are just a few observations from my installation experience. I hope and pray by reading this pastors and churches will approach their selection processes with a deep sense of spiritual sincerity. I pray they will invite the power, person, and presence of the Holy Spirit to truly guide them in every aspect of their journey. I pray churches will seek pastors after God’s own heart and that God’s pastors will go where they’re sent.