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
He expressed a genuine calling to take his ministry beyond music and into pastoral care, and I could see his skills and faith that would lead to success as a pastor. – 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. – 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 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
My Personal Statement of Faith