A busy, consumer-oriented and often cynical world can make ministry hazardous. The challenges and demands of pastoral work are constant and constantly changing. Even good ministers are stretched and stressed in this context. Focus becomes blurred. Energy wanes. Creativity ceases. Rather than ministry from an overflow, a deep longing for renewal is realized—a longing for the Source that gives meaning, hope, and purpose to life and ministry.
Effective pastoral ministry draws from the deepest wellspring of life and good ministers draw on that Source regularly through prayer, reflection, and study. From the overflow of this wellspring, clergy engage in the rich vocation of ministry: leading worship, preaching, counseling, teaching and guiding the work of their congregations.
The Center for Congregational Resources specifically provides for the renewal of clergy, both full-time, and bi-vocational, through a variety of educational, networking, consultations and grant offerings described in detail below.
James Davidson Endowed Fund for Rural Ministries
The James E. Davidson Fund for Rural Ministries honors Dr. James Davidson for over 60 years of service as a pastor, educator, and Baptist denominational leader. Dr. Davidson, a graduate of Howard College and a fourth-generation pastor, served numerous churches in Alabama, most of which were located in rural communities. Dr. Davidson’s motto was “If God calls, prepare... then preach.” Indeed, he lived his words by obtaining both the Th.M. and Ph.D. degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and through 40 continuous years as an instructor in the Samford University Extension program, contributing to the continuing education of hundreds of ministers, many of whom were from rural settings.
The Fund's purpose is to provide resources to both individuals and groups of pastors serving in rural settings. The resources will target the unique needs of rural pastors and will be offered through the programs of the Center for Congregational Resources at Samford University. Such resources could support continuing Sabbath or Study Leaves, education workshops, peer learning groups, conferences, purchase of educational materials and supplies, or the needs of rural ministers.
Interested congregations and/or ministers should contact the CCR Director, resource@samford.edu for more information on mini-grants for congregations or Sabbath Leaves for clergy.
Are you interested in investing in the ministry of Alabama rural and bivocational clergy? Your gift to the James Davidson Endowed Fund can make this possible. If you would like to make a gift in honor of Dr. Davidson it is easy to do through Samford’s online donation by selecting the option for James Davidson Fund for Rural Ministries.
James A. Auchmuty Endowed Fund
As a part of its 50th anniversary celebration in May 2004, Shades Crest Baptist Church named James A. Auchmuty, Jr. as pastor emeritus and established the Auchmuty Congregational Leadership Fund. Developed in partnership with the Center for Congregational Resources at Samford University, this fund sponsors congregational leaders as they pursue spiritual health and effective leadership skills. Its program supports inspiring lectures, informative seminars, practical workshops, and renewing sabbatical and study leaves for pastors and congregational leaders. Because “Dr. Jim’s” vision is for all God's people, the fund provides programs that are ecumenical.
James A. Auchmuty, Jr.
This vision for the future of church ministry honors the life and work of James A. Auchmuty, Jr. “Dr. Jim” has sacrificially given of himself to individuals, families, congregations and communities for more than 50 years as a pastor, friend and mentor. For 27 years, he served as pastor of Shades Crest Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Lecture and Conference Speakers
- 2007—Dr. Diana R. Garland, Dean, School of Social Work, Baylor University
- 2008—Millard Fuller, former president and founder, Habitat for Humanity
- 2009—Dr. Graham Walker, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University
- 2011—Dr. John Hayes, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
- 2013—Dr. David Mathews, president and chief executive officer, Kettering Foundation
- 2014—J. Brent Walker, executive director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
- 2016 - Dr. Cameron Jorgenson, Associate Professor of Christian Theology & Ethics
Campbell University Divinity School. His convocation lecture entitled "Why Theology Matters" is available on Vimeo. - 2017 - Dr. Matt Cook, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Wilmington, North Carolina. His convocation lecture entitled "The Gospel of the Dying Church" is available on Vimeo.
- 2018 - Dr. George Bullard, Congregational Consultant, North Carolina. "Becoming a Faith Soaring Church".
- 2020 - Dr. Ronald W. Richardson, "The Challenge of Polarization - Seeking Healthier Families, Congregations, and Communities".
How to Contribute
Are you interested in investing in the renewal and inspiration of congregational leaders for decades into the future? Your gift to the James A. Auchmuty Endowed Fund can make this possible. If you would like to make a gift in honor of the life and continued legacy of James A. Auchmuty Jr. or simply make an investment toward excellence in congregational leadership, it is easy to do through Samford’s online donation by selecting the option for James Auchmuty Leadership Fund.
C. Otis Brooks Fund for Pastoral Leadership Enrichment
The C. Otis Brooks Fund for Pastoral Leadership Enrichment was established to provide scholarships for ministerial Sabbath and Study leaves through the Center's Sabbath Leave Program. The fund is in honor of Dr. C. Otis Brooks, pastor emeritus of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. The program hopes to provide opportunities for ministers to experience spiritual, mental, physical and emotional renewal through "Sabbath" time of three weeks to three months or "Study Leave" time of up to two weeks away from ministry duties.
“Over the decades of his ministry, Dr. Brooks has been a true mentor, teacher, colleague, and friend to ministers,” said Michael Wilson, CCR program director. “His kind, caring manner and the way he always seems to find an encouraging word to say are only two examples of many ways he has been a role model of effective pastoral ministry. This fund will allow us to extend his positive influence in the lives of ministers far into the future.”
This fund will help make it possible to participate in an activity Brooks found to be among the most beneficial to him and his ministry. The responsibilities and demands of congregational ministry are such that time away for mental, spiritual and physical renewal is rare. Very early he discovered the importance of extended time set aside for study and renewal. Brooks made it his practice to spend a period of weeks each year for the purpose of such renewal.
Of the new fund, Brooks said, “The time away for study and renewal was of such benefit to me, I started making it a part of my routine each year. I'm glad this new fund will help other ministers have opportunities for Sabbath time. I know from experience what a difference it can make in their lives and ministries.”
Brooks retired from Vestavia in 1988 but remained active in Baptist life over the years. He was interim pastor of Kowloon Baptist Church in Hong Kong for six month after his retirement. Later, he was chaplain of Unity Hospice and Minister to Senior Adults at Vestavia Hills.
Samford University conferred an honorary doctorate on Brooks in 1987.
Are you interested in investing in the renewal and inspiration of congregational leaders for decades into the future? Your gift to the C. Otis Brooks Endowed Fund can make this possible. If you would like to make a gift in honor of the life and continued legacy of C. Otis Brooks. or simply make an investment toward excellence in congregational leadership, it is easy to do through Samford’s online donation by selecting the option for C. Otis Brooks Fund for Pastoral Enrichment.
