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.
Being family of clergy has its blessings and challenges. One of the biggest challenges is forfeiting your opportunity for having a pastor. What an answer to a prayer it was for my daughter and I to arrive at Church of the Palms when my husband became Senior Pastor and be blessed with Jim Alexander as our pastor. Jim presence in our lives has been invaluable. Moving is always a difficult process, but Jim was there to listen and provide pastoral care during our transition. His door was always open, and he was never too busy to stop and make sure our mental health was in check. Everyone asks, “How are you?”, but hardly anyone sticks around to hear the answer; however, Jim does. As a clergy spouse, I know that Sunday morning is a seriously hectic time, but Jim does not let the chaos of getting ready for worship interfere with the essential ministry of shepherding congregants. Also, this was my daughter’s first year of college and her first time to live away from home. Jim made sure she wasn’t forgotten and sent n tes and emails to remind her she was part of a church family. You would think that an eighteen-year-old girl would not find a home in a predominantly retired congregation. However, Jim led the way to make sure she had opportunities to serve and be connected spiritually to the Church of the Palms. – Wendy Whitlock
…Jim’s empathy such as a counselor would possess. Jim showed to me the mark of ministry of understanding mental health and wellness which I understand as empathy or compassion. He encouraged me to keep appreciating the beauty and joy in this life though I endured the tragic loss of my spouse due to cancer. Jim expressed his understanding of how sad I was but would not Jet me despair. His words about my husband’s good life and his blessed eternal rest helped me know that my husband, Brian, was at peace. – Diana Garrett
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
Pastoral Care: He makes pastoral calls and visits. He Is a good listener and discreet. He frequently greets people In the hallway following a worship service and makes a lasting impression. – Bill and Jeannie Reeves
Dearest to my heart was Jim’s participation in my own wedding. My husband and I are both Veterans and decided to get married on July 4, 2015. Although I have known Jim for many years, my husband didn’t know him. We met with Jim prior to our wedding. He spent time getting to know my husband. We shared our thoughts for our future life together and our thoughts for our wedding. Jim knew my husband had been suffering with his PTSD and had been a rock to me during that time. He and I spent time talking about what my future held being married to a man with PTSD. We planned our wedding and discussed our vows. Jim’s true colors as a friend showed as he not only officiated but helped us set up for the wedding. It was a beautiful outside ceremony. Our family fellowship that surrounded the wedding will always be a great memory.
…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.
A church member from one of our old congregations had a son who committed suicide in their backyard. Jim stepped in for the family and not only consoled them but made the arrangements for his funeral to be at the church where we were both working. He officiated at the service and provided special music. We were all more than happy to help out with this service. That is Jim. He was there for this family and exceeded the expectations of most Pastors.
Jim has been with me through many trials and tribulations. My daughter is biracial and a lesbian. As a mother, I want the best for my children. I felt that I had somehow failed my daughter. I was at a loss. Jim stepped in and was my guide. He helped us both through her identity crisis. He gave her support and skills to make the right decisions for her. He helped me understand what she was going through and how best to support her. He was supportive as she dealt with an abusive partner. Jim helped me as a parent, cope with the fact that she was an adult and making her own decisions. He embraced her personality, loud and happy, and gave her the support that she needed while also giving me the support that I needed. He continues to be a part of her life guiding her through life’s ups and downs. – Harriet Fontenot
God’s love flows through Jim’s words and his presence in times of grief and joy. – Church of the Palms, Members In Discernment committee for Jim Alexander
Jim is intentional about his self care & life balance, as well as being sensitive to what defines wellness in/for others. – Malinda Case
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
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
…the specific times he showed his love of God’s world, and his compassion for the people in it, when he created the service for my dearest friends’ son, a very young man who had taken his own life. Jim’s loving help and ministry in creating the celebration of Seth’s life, and giving comfort to the devastated family and friends who loved Seth, was nothing less than extraordinary. He assuaged despair, and instilled hope, and reminded us all of the way God loves ALL His Children.
This past year, my own son, Ben, was diagnosed with a fatal tumor. He suffered a year and a few months of slow deterioration of body, and mind. Through it all, Jim was supportive and continues to be so as we prepare the celebration of Ben’s life. He has continued to nurture and coax us moving forward through our griet anger, and pain, by being a reminding example of the way we are to proceed through hardships. – Dawn Bell