| Copyright 2005-2007 Dr. Jad Khalaf, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved |
| Copyright 2005-2008 Dr. Jad Khalaf, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved |
| "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15 |
| AN ANALYSIS OF THE PASTORAL MINISTRY OF HOMER G. LINDSAY BY JAD JAMAL KHALAF Life and Times Homer G. Lindsay, Sr. was born in February of 1903. The same year Lindsay was born, First Baptist Church (FBC) Jacksonville, Florida, laid the cornerstone for their new Hobson Auditorium. On September 5, 1981, Lindsay passed away. He left behind a legacy and a ministry that are both evident in the life of FBC Jacksonville (Jerry Vines, The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville First Baptist Church and “The History of FBCJax”). Pastorate and Pastoral Work Lindsay became the pastor of FBC Jacksonville in 1940. When he assumed the position of pastor, FBC Jacksonville was in financial debt. One of the church’s former pastor, W. A. Hobson, built the Hobson Auditorium. From 1900-1923, he pastored FBC Jacksonville. When Hobson left the church in 1923, FBC Jacksonville was debt free. In 1923, Len G. Broughton became the pastor. He served until 1927. During Broughton’s pastorate, FBC Jacksonville struggled with debt. The Hobson Auditorium was bought by Gulf Life Insurance Company. Eventually, the insurance company sold the auditorium back to FBC Jacksonville. Broughton left the church in a bad situation (The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville and “The History of FBCJax”). Lindsay assumed the role of pastor with a unanimous vote. However, FBC Jacksonville was in a serious debt situation. The situation at the church was not good. “At that time, the church was in serious financial debt and morale was low. With contributions dwindling, the loss of a seven- story educational building, a debt of $125,000, and no facilities for growth, the situation looked bleak (“The History of FBCJax”). Lindsay would not let the bleak situation overcome his desire to help FBC Jacksonville grow and get out of debt. He was a young pastor who would trust in God to help this undesirable situation turn around. God called Lindsay for the task of helping FBC Jacksonville. Lindsay accepted the task and devoted his time and effort in carrying out God’s call on his life (The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville). Lindsay brought in a new era to FBC Jacksonville. The spiritual situation was not good before Lindsay’s pastorate. After Lindsay arrived as pastor, God began to use him to grow the church spiritually. Lindsay’s pastorate and leadership helped the church began to experience a spiritual growth. The people of the church took their relationship with Christ serious (“The History of FBCJax”). Not only did FBC Jacksonville begin to grow spiritually, but the church began to grow numerically. As the church members’ spiritual lives increased, they began to see the needs of those around them (Ibid.). For example, in 1940, Lindsay began an evangelism outreach program. The outreach program allowed FBC Jacksonville members the opportunity to reach out to their community (The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville). Lindsay guided and directed his church to have a heart’s desire to see people come to Christ, become baptized, and become involved in church. Lindsay and the congregation began to realize that more space was needed in order to accommodate the new people attending FBC Jacksonville. The spiritual growth helped each congregation member realize the importance of reaching the lost people, thus, making room for new believers and new church members. Under Lindsay’s pastoral leadership, the church’s debt was paid off by 1943. Therefore, FBC Jacksonville could begin building new buildings. In 1948, Lindsay and the church broke ground on a new educational building. The educational building was constructed and paid off, leaving the church debt free (“The History of FBCJax”). Lindsay, Sr. had a son named Homer G. Lindsay, Jr. In 1969, Lindsay, Sr. asked his son to become co-pastor of FBC Jacksonville. The father-son duo proved to be a major turning point in the life of the church. Lindsay, Sr. and Jr. worked side by side for nearly six years. Together the father-son team continued the evangelism outreach program that had been started many years before. As a result of the evangelism outreach program, FBC Jacksonville continued to grow in numbers (Ibid.). Sunday School played an important role in the life of FBC Jacksonville. Lindsay, Sr. made sure that Sunday School programs were available for people to attend. After Lindsay, Jr. became co- pastor with his father, the Sunday School enrollment increased tremendously in numbers. Even though Lindsay, Sr. retired from the pastorate in 1975, his leadership was one key to the increase in Sunday School enrollment. For example, from 1969 to 1988 the enrollment increased from around two thousand and three hundred people to more than fourteen thousand people (Ibid.). Philosophy of Pastoral Ministry Lindsay did not let discouragement get him down in his pastoral ministry. The church was in terrible condition at the time he was elected as pastor. As Lindsay prayed and sought God’s direction for his life, he knew that FBC Jacksonville was the church he was meant to pastor. “God spoke-the man responded, and the union of a dedicated young minister of the Gospel and a devoted congregation has stood the test of time and been richly blessed of the Lord” (The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville). Faith in and strength from God helped Lindsay overcome a hopeless pastoral ministry. Lindsay placed emphasis on spiritual, numerical, and physical growth. He desired for his people to become spiritually mature Christians. One way in which Lindsay accomplished his desire in the pastoral ministry was through Sunday School. Sunday School was very important to Lindsay. Lindsay’s leadership as pastor, in the area of Sunday School, influenced each pastor that came after him to continue in his footsteps. The evangelism outreach program that Lindsay started was very dear to his pastoral ministry. He had a heart’s desire to see Jacksonville come to Christ. FBC Jacksonville could have done away with the evangelism outreach program. Instead, Lindsay encouraged his members to follow his lead. He would lead them to go out, visit people in the Jacksonville community, share the Gospel, and bring them to church. Lindsay’s effort paid off. The evangelism outreach program that was started under his pastoral leadership has continued to help FBC Jacksonville grow numerically. Lindsay helped FBC Jacksonville get out of debt. His skills in pastoral leadership enabled him to earn the trust of his people. Despite the history of the church’s debt problem, Lindsay faithfully followed God’s direction in building a new educational building. His role as pastor encouraged FBC Jacksonville to build and buy new space for the people that were attending the church. Presently, FBC Jacksonville occupies nine city blocks of downtown Jacksonville. In addition, the church owns and operates a one hundred and fifty-five acre campground and retreat center located in Hilliard, Florida (“The History of FBCJax”). Lindsay’s pastoral ministry began with a vision to grow physically. His vision lives on today. Contributions to Pastoral Theology and Philosophy Lindsay placed emphasis upon the Bible, evangelism, and fellowship. The three basic principles, as they are called, have played important roles in the life and ministry of FBC Jacksonville. Everything that Lindsay led the church to do revolved around the three basic principles. Lindsay’s pastoral theology and philosophy were to preach and teach the Bible, share Christ with Jacksonville, and fellowship. In so doing, Lindsay’s ultimate purpose was to glorify God as well as for Jacksonville to have the opportunity to know Christ (The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville). Lindsay knew that FBC Jacksonville was located in the heart of the city of Jacksonville. The location was perfect for doing God’s ministry. His pastoral theology and philosophy were to seek God’s will for FBC Jacksonville. Lindsay’s vision for reaching the lost was the starting point for changing the city of Jacksonville. “The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville’s vision for winning the lost to Christ began more than 60 years ago. God’s people pursued this vision of seeking God’s plan for a church located in the heart of the city” (Ibid.). Lindsay, Sr. wanted his son to follow God’s plan and will for his own life. Lindsay, Sr.’s pastoral theology and philosophy were for FBC Jacksonville to continue what he had started. After much prayer, Lindsay, Sr. and the congregation of FBC Jacksonville asked Lindsay, Jr. to come alongside his father and serve as co-pastor. In following God’s plan and will for his life, Lindsay, Jr. assumed the role of co-pastor of one of the largest churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. Lindsay, Sr. stated, “The only man who was carrying on the type of program the church wants was Homer [Jr.], and they voted to call him as co-pastor.” “When I decide to retire in two or three years the congregation indicated it wanted the program here to remain much as it now is,” said Lindsay, Sr. (Foley, “Millennium moment: Jan. 5, 1969"). The legacy and ministry of Lindsay, Sr. would continue on through the ministry of Lindsay, Jr. WORKS CITED Articles Foley, Bill. “Millennium moment: Jan. 5, 1969.” On-line. Available at jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com//celebrate2000/archive/010599.html. “The History of FBCJax.” On-line. Available at fbcjax.com at http://66.221.49.200/default.asp?section1d=about+SpageType=history. Accessed 23 October 2003. Books Vines, Jerry. The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville First Baptist Church. Jacksonville: First Baptist Church. |
| Dr. Jad Khalaf |