FBC Montevallo minister of music retires after more than 40 years

Clyde Greer admits that as a youth he was often shy and uncomfortable around people. But Greer, who retired March 17 after serving 18 years as minister of music and education at First Baptist Church in Montevallo, would eventually overcome that uneasiness. In fact he overcame it enough to have a career in church music that spans more than 40 years. Getting there wasn’t always easy, however.
   
“The Lord really had to work with me,” Greer said of being in front of people. “It was frustrating and frightening to think about.
   
“The first time I sang, you probably couldn’t hear me past the first pew,” he added.
He soon overcame the fear of singing in public, but Greer admits he is still a little nervous when it comes to speaking. “I can sing in front of a million people, but I’m shy about what I have to say.”
   
The seed for Greer’s career was planted one summer when he was a teenager working at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega. He remembers being called to the ministry and later decided music was where he could best serve the Lord.
   
“I’ve had no desire whatsoever to do anything else,” he said.
   
For Greer, serving as a minister meant he would be following in his father’s footsteps. “Technically, I lived in the ministry all my life.”
   
After graduating from Geneva High School in 1958, Greer attended Clarke Junior College in Newton, Miss., before graduating from William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Miss., in 1964 with a degree in church music. He worked on his master’s in religious education at New Orleans Seminary 1964–1968 before completing his degree in 1980.
   
Greer’s service includes time at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Enterprise, 1967–1969 and 1973–1976; Westside Baptist Church in Elba, 1969–1972; First Baptist Church in Ellisville, Miss., 1972–1973; First Baptist Church in Hamilton, 1976–1983; First Baptist Church in Montevallo, 1983–2002.
Greer also served at several churches in Mississippi while attending college and seminary.
   
His lengthy service in music ministry has produced some strong convictions on its importance in worship services.
   
And he said that while everyone may not sing in the church choir, they still have the ability to praise God through song.
   
“Everyone has some gift of singing,” he said. “It’s a natural outpouring of saying ‘Thank you God, for all You’ve done for us.’”
   
A traditionalist in how he approaches church music, Greer said he has “not been able to satisfy myself doing the other (contemporary music).” But he believes contemporary music serves a purpose.
   
“There is a place for it,” Greer said. “Some folks like it, others don’t.”
   
One of those who has added her voice to the choir at First, Montevallo, is Greer’s wife, Margie. Along with her service in the choir, Mrs. Greer also serves as choir hostess, cooks for family night suppers and is a volunteer at the associational ministry center.
   
For Mrs. Greer, there’s never been a problem with having a choir director for a husband.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” she said. “It hasn’t been a conflict that he’s choir director.”
   
Mrs. Greer adds that even though she may have her husband’s ear on most things, it’s best just to let him call the shots on church music.
   
Earlene Burke has been a part of the church’s choir from Greer’s first days at First, Montevallo.
   
“He’s a wonderful minister of music,” she said. “He didn’t push you. He took his time and taught you how to sing the songs.”
   
Mrs. Burke added Greer was instrumental in holding the church together during several pastoral transitions in the 18 years he has been there.
   
Greer said he and his wife will remain involved in personal ministry, but first want to take a well-earned breather.
The Greers may travel in their camper to do volunteer work with an association. “I just want to (continue) to be a part of the ministry somewhat as a layman and not as a minister,” Greer said.