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800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Phone: 205-726-4064; Fax: 205-726-4285
E-mail: resource@samford.edu

Auchmuty Congregational Leadership Resources

As a part of its 50th anniversary celebration in May 2004, Shades Crest Baptist Church named James A. Auchmuty, Jr. as pastor emeritus and established the Auchmuty Congregational Leadership Fund.  Developed in partnership with the Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence at Samford University, this fund sponsors congregational leaders as they pursue spiritual health and effective leadership skills. Its program supports inspiring lectures, informative seminars, practical workshops, and renewing sabbatical and study leaves for pastors and congregational leaders.  Because "Dr. Jim's" vision is for all God's people, the fund provides programs that are ecumenical.

About James A. Auchmuty, Jr.

This vision for the future of church ministry honors the life and work of James A. Auchmuty, Jr. "Dr. Jim" has sacrificially given of himself to individuals, families, congregations and communities for more than 50 years as a pastor, friend and mentor. For 27 years, he served as pastor of Shades Crest Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

The first recipient of the Auchmuty Fellowship is Dr. Robbins Sims, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church , in Auburn , Alabama since 1996. This is an award of $5,000 to support research, renewal and continuing education initiatives by the Auchmuty Fellow.  Dr. Sims is a graduate of Troy State University and achieved the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky. He has been in pastoral ministry for thirty years, serving Baptist and Methodist congregations in Kentucky , Mississippi and Alabama . Robbins is active in his community and denomination also serving on boards and advisory groups for Auburn University and Birmingham Southern College. He and his wife Nell are parents of two young adult children.

Each spring, The Auchmuty Lecture is offered at Samford University.  The inaugural lecturer, in 2007, was Dr. Diana R. Garland, Dean, School of Social Work at Baylor University. 

This past March, Millard Fuller, former president and founder of Habitat for Humanity,  presented the third annual Auchmuty Lecture:  "Issues of Poverty and the Life of Faith"

Millard Fuller is the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity International.  His 29-year leadership forged Habitat into worldwide Christian Housing ministry building 200,000 homes with projects in 100 countries worldwide.

In April 2005 Millard Fuller and a group of like minded partners founded the Fuller Center for Housing.  This new orgainzation provides a vehicle for Fuller to continue striving towards the goal of eliminating poverty housing.

The next lecutre will be held in the Spring of 2009.  Details are coming soon.

Are you interested in investing in the renewal and inspiration of congregational leaders for decades into the future?

Your gift to the Auchmuty Congregational Leadership Fund can make this possible.

If you would like to make a gift in honor of the life and continued legacy of James A. Auchmuty Jr. or simply make an investment toward excellence in congregational leadership, it is easy to do through Samford's on-line donation page.  Simply enter your information in the spaces provided, and choose "Other, please specify," next to the line that says, "Apply my contribution to this Fund, and type "James Auchmuty Congregational Leadership Fund ," in the "Other Fund" box.