Rev. Mark Smith, senior pastor for First Baptist Church of Jackson, speaks Saturday morning during the undergraduate commencement ceremony at William Carey University.
(Photo: File/Hattiesburg American)
After only 18 months as senior pastor at First Baptist Jackson, Mark Smith announced his resignation Wednesday.
“‘Thank you’ is a completely inadequate sentiment to express to a church family what it feels like to have the privilege to come to this great church every day and be called ‘pastor,'” Smith was quoted as saying in a press release from FBCJ.
The release further states that “after prayer, meeting with others, seeking counsel from the church staff, and study, [Smith] senses he is not the man to lead First Jackson into the future.”
“Smith discussed the crucial areas of leadership specific to leading such a large church,” the release said.
Smith himself was quoted as saying, “we are gifted by God for certain tasks, and given experiences in life that prepare us and educate us for those tasks. You need and deserve a pastor who possesses the skills to move you confidently and boldly into the future.”
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SOURCE: The Clarion-Ledger
Kathleen Eubanks
