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.
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
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
Pastoral Care: My husband, Allan, served with the U.S. Army during the VietNam War. He was exposed to agent orange (daily) and has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. (We recently celebrated fifty years of marriage). On March 16, 2017- 1 met with Jim at the church. I have been having a very difficult time dealing with the disease’ progression. Maybe, because of Jim and me both having a musical background, I have felt a “connection” to him. His kindness and mannerisms helped me to express my feelings. He is a very good listener and very compassionate. After our discussion, we prayed together for several minutes. This was/is very important to me. have felt much better after our meeting. I know that he holds Allan and me in his prayers. I have felt so much more at peace ever since. – Doris E. Gott
When I was hospitalized a year ago it was Jim that walked through my hospital room door. Jim that came to comfort and pray with me. It happened at a time when our church was in transition between senior pastors. We were shorthanded with our interim pastor out of town, but Jim saw a need and jumped in to fill it. He listened, we talked, and then we prayed. I believe that caring for the sick is one the THE most important roles of the church. To hear the reassuring voice that God is with you and watching over you. – Frank Bauknecht
Jim demonstrates the third mark of being surprised by the Holy Spirit. I see this as being intuitive. He noticed I was having a difficult time because I had to attend rehearsal instead of meditation class that met on the same day. I thought the only way I could achieve peace of mind was through quiet time at meditation class, but he showed me through allowing me to take a meditation break at rehearsal that I could achieve that same peace of mind. As a result, I was able to be successful at rehearsal and was awarded a solo that was very important to me. – Diana Garrett
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
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.
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
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