William Max (W.M.) Todd retired Feb. 1 from 50 years of teaching the Bible to Alabama Baptists, but he has not retired from ministry.
“I never had planned to retire and now I’m just waiting for new directions [from God],” he said.
Todd has taught the Bible as an Alabama Baptist pastor for several years. His last pastorate began as an interim at Spring Hill Baptist Church, Clio, 12 years ago. The church honored Todd on his retirement during a church service with good wishes, a plaque and flowers.
Although preaching is prominent in his ministry, his preaching style is not flamboyant, Todd said. He characterizes his preaching style as calm biblical teaching.
“With my kind of preaching I couldn’t fill a phone booth, but through strong teaching and Sunday School I feel the Lord has used me to help grow churches,” he said.
The hallmark of Todd’s ministry has been steadily building strong churches by building strong Sunday Schools and taking a genuine interest in people.
He said being available in people’s times of sorrow, indecision and joy have all been parts of his ministry he will never forget.
“Sunday School is vital to church life because the textbook is the Bible. Sunday School can involve all ages,” Todd said. “The worship opportunities and evangelism aim of Sunday School encompass everyone.”
His abilities in teaching and training Sunday School leadership surfaced on the state level when he was a special consultant for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions 1966–1996.
Many opportunities
He conducted conferences and seminars for Sunday School leaders and teachers, including staff members who oversee Sunday School responsibilities and laypeople who teach Sunday School. Some outside of Alabama experienced Todd’s teaching when he traveled to Africa and Alaska to train church leaders.
“My major emphasis through the years has been Bible study and teaching. It’s been gratifying to see the opportunities I’ve had in teaching and missions,” he said.
During seminary Todd was determined to take all of the electives that he could in Bible, including Hebrew and Greek. Even now he reads his Greek New Testament daily to maintain his vocabulary. For him, Bible study benefits him personally as well as the church.
“The most satisfying is Bible study. It develops one’s own capacity for spiritual matters,” he said.
Todd’s devotion to studying biblical languages has brought accolades. In 1997, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University established the W.M. Todd Biblical Languages Award. It was established in recognition of Todd’s love for and command of biblical languages and is awarded to one Beeson student each April.
Todd studied at Howard College (now Samford University) 1955–1957. While a student he served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church and New Hope Baptist Church, both in Dale Association.
His formal education in biblical languages strengthened when he entered Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., in 1959. While a student, he was also pastor of Tyrone Baptist Mission of First Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
Looking to the future
After graduating from Southern Seminary in 1962, he returned to Alabama to answer the call to Shiloh Baptist Church, Hartford, in the Geneva Association. He minstered at Shiloh until 1964.
From 1964 until 1979 he was pastor of Blountsville Baptist Church and then Four Mile Baptist Church, Wilsonville, in Shelby Association.
Todd also served four terms as moderator of Friendship Association.
In 1991 he and his wife, Alice Brown Todd, moved from Shelby County to Skipperville to take care of his wife’s parents. It was then he was called to Barbour Association as interim pastor of Spring Hill Baptist.
At age 74 and still active in church and community, Todd said he looks forward to what God has next for his life. He enjoys spending time with his wife of nearly 52 years. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.
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