Change doesn’t come often to venerable First Baptist Church on West Third Avenue. There have been two senior ministers in the past 54 years; Jean Ashley, the Martha Best Children’s Center director, has faithfully served for 33 years; and only two associate ministers have served in the past 40 years. But if you feel the Earth tilt next week it is because change is a coming, and this old preacher is having a hard time believing it is true.
Our associate minister, Tommy Wilson, my good friend and trusted colleague, is retiring after 29 years of faithful service to our church. For the first time in over 26 years, I will be flying solo; I’ll be sailing in unchartered waters, and right now, I can’t imagine life without Tommy. Ask any member of First Baptist who the glue is who holds our church together, the stabilizer who keeps us on an even keel, the navigator who keeps us on a true course, and they will quickly answer, Tommy Wilson.
When Dr. Hoke Coon called a young associate from First Baptist in Albemarle in 1987, the church was preparing for an ambitious building renovation and addition. Tommy had been trained to be a pastoral minister, but little did he know he was about to receive a new education in building construction, renovation, administration and maintenance. When Dr. Coon announced his retirement, Tommy was suddenly in charge of a multi-million-dollar building campaign. And he excelled in every way.
Not every minister can serve as an associate. In many ways, it is a thankless job. The senior minister is always in the spotlight, the associate is often hidden in the shadows. But Tommy had found his niche and settled comfortably into the role of the church’s business administrator that evolved from his experience in the renovation. People have commented that Tommy and I have always been a good team, and I think we have. Part of it is because our gifts have complemented one another, but the bigger part is total trust, respect and loyalty. And there is no place in teamwork for competition or inflated egos.
I could not have asked for a better associate. I was quick to tell people that Tommy ran the church, and I meant it. He ran our church with competency and efficiency. He guided us through the recession years with an artist’s precision to detail. But Tommy is much, much more than a business manager; he is a compassionate and accomplished minister, and that is a rare combination. Tommy faithfully visits the sick and those who are in nursing and rehab facilities. He performs weddings and funerals. He is a great preacher. He genuinely cares about his flock.
Having such an amazing associate has enabled me to focus on preaching, teaching and community service. There is no way I could be as involved in the community without such a trusted colleague. But that doesn’t mean Tommy hasn’t made a difference in our community. He has been a driving force behind Habitat for Humanity. He has chaired the CROP Walk for hunger, served as president of the Greater Lexington Area Ministerial Association and served on the boards of the Department of Social Services and The Life Center. Tommy’s wife, Sandra, works with Pastor’s Pantry, and he is also very involved in this vital community ministry.
Tomorrow is Tommy’s last Sunday as associate minister of First Baptist Church. We are having a celebration — a big celebration to commemorate Tommy and Sandra’s 29 years of faithful and dedicated service. Tommy and I have worked together so long that we can usually tell what the other is thinking. We have done so many worship services and funerals together that we could almost conduct them in our sleep. Throughout these 29 years, Tommy has never failed me or the church. He has been totally and unequivocally faithful and loyal. He has excelled in every way.
Sunday is a celebration, not a funeral — thank goodness! Tommy is still young, and he will find many more ways to use his gifts in God’s service. Tommy and Sandra will remain in Lexington and continue to be a part of our church. Life at First Baptist will never be the same, but our church is deeply grounded in the good soil thanks to Tommy. And I have been blessed for 26 years to have Tommy as my colleague, my confidant, my minister and my friend.
