The comments below support this Mark of Ministry. To read the reference in its entirety, please click on the bold text at the end of each comment.
In his professional preparation for worship, he excels. His artistry in the design of worship encompasses a wide variety of worshipers. He is an architect in worship- whether it be prayer, song, litany, art and visual elements, sermon, communion, or funeral. His results are consistently excellent and prophetic. Jim is called by God; he meets the Marks of Ministry. – Rev. Paul A. Whitlock
His gifts for and call to ordained ministry are immediately evident to anyone with whom he has served. Jim turned around a struggling music program in a matter of weeks, and the tum-around had as much to do with his pastoral ability as his superb musical talents.
He works well with folks across a spectrum of beliefs, interests, and abilities. He strives for excellence in all things, and does so with an infectious spirit that inspires and uplifts. He is effective at recruiting, motivating, training, and encouraging working teams. He takes good care of the people he shepherds – tending to their spirits as much as their production. Jim is ultra-reliable, emotionally secure, spiritually mature, and exhibits the finest in ministry ethics and boundaries – Rev. Leonard W. Silvester
Jim was our Music Director and Pastoral Assistant during a crucial time at COTP, due to the health issues of our Ministries Coordinator and Associate Pastor… Jim’s service to Palms was invaluable during those months when he and I (along with our Office Coordinator) had to cover the duties of those two staff persons. – Rev. James Meadows
As to the Marks of Ministry specified by the UCC– we understand that Jim hasn’t followed the traditional MDIV / Ordination path. However, we find that his Southern Baptist ordination and 30 years of ministry, as well as his theological growth and ministry here affirm his readiness, gifts, passion and call to ministry in the United Church of Christ at the Church of the Palms. – Church of the Palms, Members In Discernment committee for Jim Alexander
I have witnessed how, when he came to terms with being gay, he was able to identify the difference between the love of Christ and the opinion of people. This was a struggle for him, and I am thankful that I was in his life at this time and was able to offer what support I could. It was in this time, that I too found the true Christ, and because of Jim began attending church for the first time in my life.
The choir is constantly inspired by his professional leadership and the end result. People are brought out of their shell and singing solo when they never thought that they could. To me, this translates into effecting a person’s life beyond the doors of the church. That is ministry.
In 2009, I was placed on a transplant list for a kidney and a pancreas. The years leading up to this were extremely trying for Jim and our families. I was near death many times. Jim was there for my family with words of encouragement and support. This was his partner dying, and yet, he had it within him to comfort others who were in need. I was blessed with the double transplant in 2010, and Jim continues to support me as I continue to deal with the challenges along the way. – Jeff Scruggs
During and after the divorce, I particularly needed understanding and consolation from family and friends. It was soon quite clear that I was an outcast- in my family circle, my church, and in most of the community. The one person who never wavered was Jim. He talked with me, cried with me, and prayed for me. He made contact with pastors in the town where I had moved, asking them to visit and reach out to me…it revealed to me the ability he had for demonstrating the love of Christ – without hesitation and without question. – Jane Zukowski
When he experienced his hardships, as we all have had to do, I saw the transition: He was finally broken, and what emerged was the beautiful soul of a humble servant. He no longer relied on his great talent; he no longer offered his “gift” to God. He offered his total life, and in the humbleness of this broken servant, God was able to bless me, and I’m sure, everyone else who has ever heard him preach the gospel, lead a choir, or sing a solo. – Steven Dale Zukowski
For the past thirty plus years I’ve observed Jim’s sense of call grow and develop into adulthood through his involvement in church life. In fact, I credit Jim as a catalyst of my own faith journey and sense of call into ministry. His passion for the church, his ministry through music, and his love for God influenced me even as a young teen. Still today, his life continues to be a witness to me through his devotion to Christ, his sensitivity to the Spirit, his love for God, and his commitment to ministry. As many can testify, ministry is not always a bed of roses and the thorns can be quite painful, so one wonders why Jim would persist as he has. Only a deep and abiding sense of God’s call can explain Jim’s persistence in ministry. His faith journey has taken him into many denominational scenarios and carried him through some difficult struggles, which has only served to solidify his calling and strengthen his faith. – Rev. Nancy Gunn, Minister of Worship, Church at Cactus
Though he has experienced many life changes, through them all he has consistently exhibited a strong sense of call to the ministry. Jim’s testimony and persistent involvement in ministry demonstrates that he understands the difference between a deep spiritual call from God as apposed to simply a vocational choice. It is this spiritual call to which Jim has committed his life. – David Gunn, Pastor, Church at Cactus
Jim was the first Director I had ever worked with who prayed with and for us as a choir and as individuals and whose guiding philosophy is that we, as a choir, are not just singers- we are Worship Leaders! The choir is not just there to lead the congregation in singing but to enhance and enliven their worship experience. He encouraged us to not just know the notes and the words of the hymns/songs but to feel and believe the message we are bringing and to impart that to the congregation in body, mind and spirit. I know that for myself and for many who have worked with him over the years in several churches and two denominations that he is committed to Building Transformational Leadership Skills. – Toni and Steven Berg
Jim has been continuing discernment to his calling to ordained ministry, which includes being guided by the Holy Spirit & understanding the power of the Holy Spirit in his life, work, & call. – Malinda Case
Jim, knowing my anguish, offered to take her to the Vet for me. We had
tentatively setup for him to pick her up on a Thursday evening. She passed quietly at home the afternoon before. Although I know we are talking about an animal, she was a member of our family who was very loved. Jim gave me peace of mind knowing that he was there to help me through this tough time in our lives. – Harriet Fontenot
I believe it is in part due to Jim and this expression of devotion to his Church and Faith, that my Mother has returned to attending Church of the Palms on Sunday mornings. My Family and I are grateful to Jim Alexander. – Mark Masny
My experience of Jim is that he is a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. He is unassuming, and yet equipped to lead this fellowship of believers in their own personal Christian journeys. He is open, and enthusiastic about his faith, and his own personal faith journey. In his sermons, he encourages believers to have active faith lives, and to let their faith shine through in their everyday lives by how they treat others, by seeking out God in the everyday and everyone, and taking the time to go inside and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit in their lives. – Janet Hutchins
My Personal Statement of Faith