Don Palmer, of Alabaster, recently marked 60 years in music ministry.
Serving initially at First Baptist Church, Bessemer, while a student at Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, Palmer has served in full-time, bivocational and interim roles through the years.
His first full-time position was with Roebuck Park Baptist Church, Birmingham, and his most recent role was a two-year interim stint with Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster.
Palmer — who has a church music degree from Samford and a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas — said the mission of music ministry has not changed over the years, though the technology has.
“We used to ‘bang it out’ on the piano because that’s all we had,” he said with a laugh. “Now we have great technology with sound and projection. I’ve also seen the addition of more instruments in our churches and this is good.”
Palmer said his first church had classical worship, as did many churches, but he’s seen more churches move to blended and contemporary styles.
“My only regret is that I think we sometimes have lost the sense of reverence and dignity in worship in our quest to reach a new generation,” he said.
Palmer, an Army veteran, has been a widower for 10 years. He has three adult children. His daughter, Melonie, recently celebrated 20 years as pianist at Siluria Baptist.
Palmer is available for interim and supply ministry and may be contacted at 205-999-9866.
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