Jim Greenwalt is working on his Vicarage here at Redeemer through the Vicarage SMP program. Jim is a lifelong member who was baptized, confirmed and married here. Most of you know him through his work over the last 15 years in the music ministry. Yes, he’s our Tuba player. After many years of prayer and reflection with his family, Beth, Maggie and Reagan, Jim is entering the SMP (Specific Ministry Program) to begin his studies for the Holy Ministry.
The SMP is a unique program that is a partnership of the Seminary, the District, the student (Jim), his mentor (Pastor Randy), and the congregation (You). It was started in 2007 and consists of 16 courses over 4 years. These courses are taken on-line, 2 hour online live classrooms and on campus intensives. The Student is allowed to take classes while simultaneously serving as a Vicar. At the successful completion of 9 courses (2 years) the student is Ordained. His “first call” will be to the congregation who “sponsored him”. There is then an additional 7 courses that have to be taken (2 years) to complete the program. There are some restrictions for an SMP Pastor. Because they have not received the full academic program as an M-DIV would, they cannot take a call to another church or serve as Senior Pastor. It is Jim’s intention to continue his studies for the full General Pastor.
Vicar Jim can be reached at jgreenwalt@redeemerbirmingham.org.
