union avenue christian church |
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Hampton Adams 1938 – 1954 If you’ve read either The Pastoral Ministry or You and Your Minister, two of my books, you know that I was equally concerned with the preaching aspect of ministry and the pastoral aspect of ministry. I felt that pastoral service wasn’t receiving enough attention in the seminary preparation of Christian ministers, but I also placed part of the onus for the pastoral ministry on the laypeople of the church — to allow true relationship with the minister. In a nutshell, I believed that effective ministry was a joint venture between minister and congregant. The minister’s role was to recognize and carry out the priestly, scholarly, servant-like service of being a pastor and the layperson’s role was to accept the pastoring of the minister and allow the minister space to be refreshed and helped with that ministry. I replaced Dr. George Campbell, who noted that we had met 13 years earlier on a trip to Europe. He believed that I would uphold the best tradition of Union Avenue because I stood for the big things of faith. In 1939, I wrote a Pastoral Paragraphs column for Our Church on “The Church When War Comes.” I wondered how the church of Christ will conduct itself during the next war and I warned of potential dangers affecting the church. The following week I received a request from the Christian Standard to reprint the article — another example of the gratifying fact that Union Avenue’s ministers’ writings were read not only in our church but also through the Disciples. My third book, Christian Answers to War Questions, was published in 1943 just as the draft was instituted (and which caught up with one of my sons). During World War II, out of an average membership of 1,800, 275 members of Union Avenue served in the military and four sacrificed their lives. In 1941 we set a goal to raise $50,000 to expand and update the education building. The renovation was not completed until 1947 because of the war. Also in 1941, St. Louis hosted 1000 at the Disciples Convention. In 1943, the church dedicated Lang’s wood carving of DaVinci’s “The Last Supper,” a gift by Oreon Scott in memory of his wife. In 1945, Reverend Arnold C. Abrams became minister to the Silent Bereans. Mrs. Shirley Sneed took over as interpreter for the Bereans in the early 1950s. My wife, Adelaide, an accomplished pianist, and I entertained often at the manse at No. 2 Windemere Place near the church. I believe that people would say of my pastorate that I loved people, I led with vision and I was an outstanding organizer. After serving Union Avenue during the Great Depression, World War II, and the Korean Conflict, I left to pastor Park Avenue Christian Church in New York. Sunday morning worship @ 10:45 a.m. • Christian Education for all ages @ 9:30 a.m. |
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