Dr. Charles H. Harris

Dr. Charles H. Harris

"Pastor in the Interim"

Dr. Harris will serve in full capacity as Senior Pastor.

Note: Dr. Harris is not a candidate for Senior Pastor.

Born: March 4, 1941, Vaughn, Georgia

Family: Nell Doris Tyson Harris (wife)– Retired Public School Teacher and minister's daughter; 2 daughters: Both married to Christian husbands. Active church leaders, 4 grandchildren.

Education: Truett-McConnell Baptist College (A.A.), Cleveland, GA, 1964; Belmont Baptist University (B.S.), Nashville, TN, 1966; Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, KY: (Master of Divinity 1970 and Doctor of Ministry 1981). Has taken numerous continuing education courses in evangelism, church growth, conflict management, time management, administration, etc. Is a “Certified Interim Pastor.”

Honors : Was an honor graduate in High School and at both colleges, member of Blue Key National Fraternity and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities; has written for The Baptist Sunday School Board (now Lifeway).

Experience: Was a pastor for 23 years. From 1974-1978 was pastor of FBC, Smyrna, GA. Last pastorate was First Baptist Church, Durham, NC 1978-1988. Served as Director of Caraway Conference Center and Camp , Asheboro, NC for 18 years retiring in 2006 (similar to North Georgia Baptist Assembly, Toccoa, GA and White Oak Conference Center, SC). Has served as Field Supervisor for Southeastern and Southwestern Seminaries for both Master and Doctoral degree candidates.

Elected Service : Was a trustee of Truett-McConnell College. Has served as chairman of Association Committees, on State Convention Committees, General Board, etc. Is Past President of the Southern Baptist Camping Association (SBCA) and Past President of the Carolinas/Virginias (4 states) Christian Camps and Conference Association (CCCA).

Preaching Opportunities : Has preached in chapel services at Truett-McConnell College, Campbell University and Southeastern Seminary. While at Caraway, he completed 12 interims in North Carolina Baptist churches such as Cornerstone Baptist (three times), Greensboro; Pilot View Baptist (twice), Thomasville; First Baptist Archdale; First Baptist, Seagrove; Dunns Mountain Baptist, Salisbury: Union Grove Baptist (twice), Seagrove, and Southside Baptist, Greensboro, NC. Also, completed one year of supply preaching at Front Street Baptist, Statesville, and 3 months supply preaching at Green Street Baptist, High Point, NC.

Has preached in Georgia at Legacy Baptist, Dallas; Peachtree Corners Baptist, Norcross; and Bethlehem Baptist, Clarkesville. Also, he preached the sermon for the 2007 Easter Sunrise Service for Habersham Baptist Association.

In March, 2008 he completed his 13 th Interim. He served for 7 months as Interim Pastor of Parkwood Baptist, Anderson, SC.

Current Ministry: Continues to supply preach, serve as interim pastor, preach revivals, etc.

Ministry Focus:

*The Bible is God's living word…inspired, inerrant, and infallible

*The Pastor and Interim Pastor are God's under-shepherds who serve by example and through spiritual giftedness

*Has a passion for preaching, soul-winning and discipleship

*Emphasizes pastoral care of members and prospects

*Enjoys leading and serving with a multiple staff

*Enlists, develops, and utilizes church leaders

*Enjoys serving in various size churches

Comments Made by References Contacted:

•  Respected among colleagues

•  High moral standards

•  A teaching preacher

•  Will help your church

•  Outstanding reputation, a determined leader

•  His training, experience, knowledge of scriptures are put to good use. I've seen his successes.

•  Won't force himself on staff or congregation, but will give sound Biblical direction

•  Solid, consistent, Christian background

•  Lives what he says and preaches from the Book

Pastor Harris' Projected Ministries and Weekly Schedule

General Overview: Normally Charles and Nell Doris will drive up from GA on Saturdays arriving around 4pm. Charles will stay over through Wednesday night Bible Study and return home around 11:30 pm. Nell Doris will drive separately (at their expense) and return home on Monday's to care for her mother. They will stay in GA from late Wednesday night until Saturday around 1pm each week unless he needs to return earlier for crisis ministries. He will prepare for his Sunday morning sermon while in GA.

Sunday Morning Sermon: 14 hours (10 hours study & prep)

Sunday Evening Worship: 1:5 hours (Steve to preach)

Wed Bible Study: 10 hours (8 hr prep, 1 hr teach, 1 hr meal)

Staff Guidance and Team Building: 6 hours (Staff meetings, sharing concerns and ideas, setting goals, solving problems, building trust relationships. Sees himself as a servant leader, coach, Christian friend.

Hospital Visitation: 8 hours

Homebound Ministry: 3 hours (Places emphasis on shut-ins)

Prospect Visitation (4 hours) Charles and Nell Doris will visit prospects most Sunday afternoons and one week night most weeks.

Administrative Ministries: 4 hours minimum (Church Admin)

Pursuing Vital Ministry: 4 hours minimum

Counseling Ministries: 3 hours (Personal counseling, family crisis, etc.)

Attending Committee and Deacons' Meetings: 2 hours minimum

Meeting Unexpected Needs: 2 hours minimum

Travel Time to/from Concord: 6 hr (usually one trip/wk 3hrs ea way)