ABSC President Joe Godfrey reflects on lessons learned

ABSC President Joe Godfrey reflects on lessons learned

A little over two years ago, Joe Godfrey met with the deacons at Taylor Road Baptist Church in Montgomery to get their input on an important decision he had to make.
   
Godfrey, then the senior pastor at the church, had been nominated as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC). 
   
Taking the position would mean he would be away from the church many times throughout the year and that others might have to pitch in on his pastoral duties.
   
But the deacons encouraged Godfrey to take the job.
   
“They had the attitude that the state convention had helped us along the way, and we had received a lot of support,” noted Godfrey, who completes his second one-year term as president at the upcoming ABSC annual meeting.
   
“This was a way to give something back, by allowing me to serve as president.”
   
A year and a half ago, Godfrey accepted the position of pastor of First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, in Birmingham Association. Again, he and his wife, Joy, were upfront about the time he would have to spend on convention business, but like Taylor Road, the church supported his work as president.
   
“Dr. Godfrey had an innate desire from the beginning of his tenure to serve the Lord by serving all Alabama Baptists,” said Mary Sue Bennett, special assistant to Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. 
   
“Both churches he has served during the past two years have been very gracious in sharing their pastor as well.”
   
Reflecting on the past two years, Godfrey believes the experience has made him a better minister for his congregation.
   
“I’ve learned a great deal about diplomacy,” he said. “And, I’ve already been able to implement those skills in the church.”
   
Bennett said working with people has been a real strength for Godfrey. “He was very determined to be open and fair in all his dealings,” she said. “He has been most cooperative and attentive to the needs and ministries of the convention, and he has been accessible to all Alabama Baptists.”
   
These “people skills” were most likely developed from experience. After seminary, Godfrey served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Abbeville for four years and was at Taylor Road for 19 years before being called to serve at  First, Pleasant Grove.
   
He also served as first vice president of the ABSC before being elected president.
   
When his term is over, Godfrey still plans to promote the work of the ABSC. It bothers him that many younger pastors are choosing not to be involved in the Southern Baptist Convention. “I understand the concept that their heart is with the local church. And I agree with that.
   
“The real work is going on in the local church. It’s where the action is,” he said. “But it is absolutely necessary to get involved (in the convention). One church can’t do it all, but collectively, we are able to accomplish incredible tasks.”
   
Just as Jesus urged His disciples to start in Jerusalem but also go to the ends of the earth to spread His word, Godfrey believes churches should continue their work in the local communities, but also reach out further.
   
“We have a responsibility beyond our own communities and our own church walls,” he said, noting especially ABSC involvement in disaster relief efforts, like those currently going on in Alabama and Florida. “What we are doing is so important.”
   
In fact, Godfrey said he would advise the next ABSC president to continue to stress the importance of what the convention is doing and to show how God is at work.
   
“We need to get the word out, to show how God is blessing Alabama Baptists,” he said.
   
For more information on the Nov. 16–17 annual meeting of Ala­bama Baptists and other related meetings, visit www.thealabamabaptist.org.