Leading the Flock: The New and Renewed
We have ordained three men as teaching elders in the Presbyterian Church in America (our denomination) this past month. Southwood’s teaching elders, known as pastors to us, are busy. Mike Honeycutt continues to preach, oversee worship and love this large flock while Ken Leggett and Jake Patton pastor their flock of youth and families. Here is an update of what our other teaching elders are doing.
Will Spink / Assistant Pastor
Pastoral Care and Assimilation
Many of you have met Will through his presence leading worship on Sunday mornings, a hospital visit, a new members class, a phone call or a visit in the office. Many of you participated through your presence at his ordination service on November 16 in the 8:30AM worship service. He has been busy since he arrived at Southwood on August 25. Will jumped into the pastor’s life quickly by picking up the New Members Class. This large class of 62 folks helped him get to know folks quickly. In addition to his presence and planning in the New Members class, Will is meeting, talking and working with Southwood folks who don’t feel plugged in to the life of the church. He enjoys helping people find places to be involved, serve in the church, fellowship with others and participate in Body life.
Another aspect of Will’s job is to walk alongside individuals or families who have a need or crisis. He is the pastor who partners with the elders as they shepherd families through illnesses, hospitalizations, personal issues and more. Will is the pastor interfacing with the deacons who oversee mercy ministry to our members who may have a financial or physical need. And the best part of having Will here is that our visitors have a personal interface within days of their attendance in worship. Will contacts each new visitor and welcomes them to Southwood, offering any assistance, answering questions about the church and being a friendly voice and face.
Bill Nash / Associate Pastor
Small Group Ministry
Bill’s focus is changing as Southwood’s large church begins to grow small. The Session has moved Bill’s focus from college and singles ministry to establishing and implementing a strong ministry of small groups. Much of what Bill will do will be relational as he recruits, trains and encourages small-group leaders. Also, one of Bill’s primary objectives is to communicate the Session’s belief that the place that spiritual growth and authentic community happens best is in small groups. To that end, Bill asks that his Southwood family pray for him as he works to make the process of getting in a small-group easy and obvious for everyone. A final note from Bill: Although his focus will shift, his love will remain for the people he has come to know and shepherd in the singles and college ministry over the past three years.
Alex Shipman / Assistant Pastor
The Village Church
Alex was ordained as a minister of the Gospel on November 23 and has “officially” begun his ministry to the residents of the Lincoln Village community though he has been working there for the past few months. The Village Church on Virginia Boulevard is located off Oakwood Avenue between Meridian St. and the Parkway. Families from Southwood and Cove Methodist and other individuals from the neighborhood are meeting together each Sunday night for an informal time of praise and worship, time in prayer and a discussion of A.W. Tozer’s Pursuit of God. Alex prepares for the Sunday night gathering through study, prayer and planning.
During the week, Alex has been networking and meeting people in the community. He leads a weekly Village Church staff meeting, spends time at Alabama A&M University and at Lincoln Elementary School as well. On Tuesday’s Food Pantry Day, you will find Alex meeting folks and working alongside volunteers to distribute food. His large endeavor is working on a fund-raising manual for the church. He also attends different speaking engagements with Mark Stearns. The small group who gathers alongside Alex each week is praying for the appointed time to begin a Sunday worship service. As Alex says, “Our hands are open, but we are not going to paint ourselves in a box” by predetermining a time. These sheep will wait for their Shephard’s voice and leading. We will let you know when that time arrives. Pray for Alex’s work in the village and that he will be the ‘moon’ that only exists because it reflects the light of the Son.