Chip Smith’s passion for bivocational ministry began behind the pulpit, grew during his time with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) and will continue as he plans to return to bivocational pastoring.
Smith served as an associate in SBOM’s office of LeaderCare and church administration for 10 years, concluding his service there in May. In that role, he had three different focuses: church administration, preschools and bivocational ministry.
“I am passionate about bivocational ministry because the majority of Alabama Baptist churches have bivocational pastors [and without them many] of our churches would be pastorless and probably end up closing.
“They pastor for no other reason but to fulfill the call of God upon their hearts,” Smith said.
Retiring from SBOM isn’t a step back from ministry, he said, but rather a continuation of his calling to preach, a calling he has been faithful to for 54 years.
Prior to SBOM, Smith served as a pastor for 40 years at churches such as Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville; First Baptist Church, Geneva; First Baptist Church, Midfield; Catoma Baptist Church, Montgomery; Sweet Water Baptist Church; and Cubahatchie Baptist Church, Shorter. He also served in various associational and state positions such as vice moderator for Autauga Baptist Association and chairman of University of Mobile’s board of regents, among others.
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree from Samford University in Birmingham and a master of divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Elise, have two children and three grandchildren.
To contact Smith for preaching availability, call 334-365-5636 or 334-322-1227. (TAB)
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