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This is From the Archives, where we present something from our extensive collection of archival photos, records and all manner of materials dating back to when the church was First Methodist Episcopal, to First Methodist, to Church of the Savior, to St. Paul's to Crossroads.
As the song says, the church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people. And in this Archives section over the past few weeks, we have shared with you some great pictures of our building and its infrastructure; pictures that show the various kinds of changes or progress the building has undergone in its century and counting of service.
But a building is just that, a building. So this week, let's talk about people instead. The church is a congregation, and a congregation is guided by Pastors, Priests or Ministers. The clergy receive special training and special certification to declare clearly to the world that they are qualified and ready to lead their congregations.
Of course, the duties of a Pastor vary wildly. They perform weddings and funerals, they both console people and also celebrate with them. A Minister must minister to the newly born, the dying, the young, the old and everyone in between. And they must face whatever challenges their congregations present them with.
This week's archives item centers around one of our former Pastors, David Oliver. David, currently the Pastor of First United Methodist in Massillon, is known and/or remembered by many to be a very studious, forthright and dedicated person, who always approached his ministerial duties at the former Church of the Savior with those qualities in full force.
Here's a picture of David from sometime in 1987 at the skating rink in North Canton with the then Church of the Savior youth group, which was under the direction of Jeri Johnson at the time (thanks to Jeri for taking and saving the photo).
Ministers-in-Training have to study theology, history, homiletics and all kinds of very serious topics when they are preparing for their congregational service. But did anyone in Seminary ever tell David that he'd also have to roller skate?
(Click to open the image in a new window.)
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