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
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
He has an ability (people/person skills) to get his choir and musicians to dig in and achieve higher levels of skill and perfection without upsetting or offending them. – Allan L. Gott
We have always considered Jim to be very innovative when it comes to ministry. We believe his creativity is one of the qualities that empower the individuals he engages with, which impacts the church body as a whole. We consider this creativity to be the work of the Spirit in Jim’s life. In the churches we’ve had the privilege of serving in with Jim, this creative leadership has helped to facilitate growth and spark new commitments in the life of the church.
In the political climate we live in and the amazing diversity that is our humanity, we’ve seen how Jim connects with all people with compassion, gentleness and sensitivity. Just as we are all on journey and are being conformed to the image of Christ, this has been evident over the many years we’ve known Jim. He has matured in his understanding of who God is, who God has made him to be, and how to be Christ’s presence in this world. This growth has definitely shaped his character, which has ultimately changed how he lives in relationship to others, as well as his work ethic. He has always had a very strong sense of commitment to the church and to his personal relationships. – Rev. Nancy Gunn, Minister of Worship, Church at Cactus; David Gunn, Pastor, Church at Cactus
He works with pastors in developing worship services which include preaching, worship design and bulletin preparation. His interesting sermons have been inspirational and given us much food for thought. – Bill and Jeannie Reeves
I believe that his experience in the secular business world has more than equipped him for handling necessary and appropriate administrative tasks. He is in a trusted and responsible position at his secular employment, and has proven himself to be a member of the church that is willing to do what needs to be done in order to make things happen … whether that is in worship, or organizing events outside the church, or supporting the Senior Pastor in taking care of the everyday needs of the church. – Janet Hutchins
I want to tell you about the wonderful work Jim Alexander has done in a very short time with the Care Ministries Group at The Church of the Palms. This group has been meeting for several years but just barely hanging on. With Jim’s leadership we have gone from a group just crawling to a group that is now running full speed ahead.
Our monthly meetings are now structured so that we are able to keep a closer contact with our homebound members and their needs. We are trying to ensure that no one is overlooked. Jim has reinforced the transportation program. Names and phone numbers of people offering transportation are now available through the church office. – June Nielsen
Jim and I were teachers together at an inner city school in Phoenix. Our students were 99% Hispanic and 95% second language learners. All of our students received free breakfast and lunch. Jim made a major impact on the lives of his students. He embraced their culture and celebrated with them. He also opened their eyes to a world they didn’t know existed. He set the example we all want for our children. He dressed professionally. He shared their culture. He showed that he was a life long learner and how important it is. He introduced them to cultures around the world. He gave them the skills that they needed to succeed in life. – Harriet Fontenot
…giving us visions to be guided by Worship on Sundays. – Carolyn Modeen
Jim’s organizational skills are outstanding, Very helpful and a necessity for things to be accomplished in a timely manner. – Charlotte Harger
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.
I was able to observe and experience his faith and passion for ministry, not only through his skills in music, but in his love and care for many others in the congregation. Jim made hospital visits, and was especially pastoral to members of the choir and their families. He preached and served in various capacities in worship services, and took an active part in worship-planning. – Rev. James Meadows
He is collegial with staff and keeps confidences. Jim is insightful, has vision, and is respectful of each person on staff and in the congregation. Church of the Palms, Members In Discernment committee for Jim Alexander
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.
For decades he has assisted in developing worship services from the order of worship to matching hymns and anthems to the day’s message. He constantly strives to enhance the worship experience. Jim has been involved in creating many unforgettable Sundays because of his knowledge of the big picture. He is professional and a perfectionist at the same time. – Jeff Scruggs
…he persuaded love and self-discipline, rather than anger and reactive complaint. When they began to be unable to lead effectively, and fell into their own funk and despair, Jim stepped in and assuaged anger and rebellion among the parishioners, not with admonishment, but rather with reminders of how we were to conduct ourselves in Christ’s name. – Dawn Bell
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 regularly witnesses to God’s redeeming power in our choir setting, including prayers for us &for by us. He is sensitive to our diverseness. Many of my experiences with Jim are choir related where necessary & appropriate administrative tasks required for effective results are performed efficiently (mostly behind the scenes), so that we’re not confronted with ‘surprises’ reflecting lack of preparation that impede our shared goal of joyfully making a joyful noise. – Malinda Case
He has been instrumental in revitalizing the choir, the Board of Music and Fine Arts and the Care and Concern Committee. Because of his leadership, we have significantly improved our Sunday services by coordinating of the audio-visual equipment and training of the individuals running this equipment. He has organized and inspired members of the Care and Concern Committee by improving the data base and making information accurate and available when needed. He has reached out to lay leaders in the church to provide input to the monthly church newsletter and web page. Jim is a great listener and is always very genuine in his dealings with church members. He is honest and open in facing challenges and recognizing success. Through these leadership efforts our church has a renewed sense of purpose and mission. – Pat & John Durbin
My Calling in This Present Time and Place
Visioning Across the Next 10 Years