Rogers Leaves Legacy of Ministry, Service
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Paul Rogers |
Mr. Rogers devoted his life to preaching, spending 48-years serving the Centerville church of Christ in Hickman County, Tenn.
A native of Birmingham, Ala., Mr. Rogers preached his first sermon in August 1952 for his home church, Central church of Christ. He enrolled at Lipscomb University that fall and began preaching every Sunday for the Old Jefferson church in Smyrna, Tenn., until he graduated from Lipscomb in 1956. At Old Jefferson he met Judy Johns and married her in 1955. After graduation they worked with the youth at the church in Lewisburg, Tenn., before accepting the job in Centerville. He began preaching there in January 1957 and never left.
"You won't find a better example of what it means to be Christ-like than Paul Rogers. He was involved in people's lives - visiting the sick, helping the poor, counseling the brokenhearted, celebrating victories. It didn't matter if they were from his church or not. That was the example Christ set in the New Testament, and he was determined to emulate his Master in every respect," said Dr. Stephen F. Flatt, Lipscomb University president.
"Paul's ministry at Centerville church of Christ has been a model for small-town churches - even churches in large communities - across the nation. His service as a member of the Board of Trustees at Lipscomb helped to enhance our premier academic program, but always kept us focused on the spiritual roots of our mission. He epitomized the concept of servant leadership. There is a hole in the world tonight because of the passing of Paul Rogers."
Mr. Rogers' impact at Centerville and in Hickman County was far-reaching. While at Centerville the congregation grew from 325 members to more than 800, a new church building was constructed in 1966, Camp Meribah, a church camp valued at $1 million, opened in 1969; a $200,000 Outreach Center for benevolence and senior citizens work opened in 1980 and a 75-unit, $2.5 million apartment complex, Tulipwood, opened for senior citizens.
Throughout the years, Mr. Rogers was a mentor to others.
"When I was a college student I preached at a small congregation in Hickman County. Paul was an inspirational mentor to me. He was the 'Dean of Preachers." He was encouraging and supportive of me in every way. He truly loved to preach and had a way of making others appreciate that calling," said Walt Leaver, Lipscomb University vice president for university relations and pulpit minister at Brentwood Hills church of Christ in Nashville.
Mr. Rogers also dedicated much time in service to Lipscomb University. He joined the board of trustees in 1986 and remained a member until health issues necessitated his retirement from the board in 2003. He served under three administrations: Willard Collins, Harold Hazelip and Steve Flatt. For much of his tenure, he chaired the board's Academic Affairs Committee, helping to ensure that Lipscomb's mission of integrating Christian faith and practice with academic excellence was accomplished throughout the curriculum.
"Paul was a gentle, good man. He was the embodiment of humble Christian service. I deeply valued his friendship. His loyalty to Lipscomb added credibility to our claim to be a genuinely Christian institution," said Hazelip, Lipscomb University chancellor who served as president from 1986-1997.
"As a preacher, his example of working for decades in the same community has inspired many fellow preachers to pursue long-term service with one congregation. Paul will be very difficult to replace, both in Centerville and in the brotherhood at large."
Mr. Rogers was presented the "Diakonia Award" at Lipscomb in 2003 to recognize his 50 years in ministry. He and his wife, Judy, were also presented the university's "Barnabas Award" in honor of their service and encouragement to the church. Last year, university officials announced plans to honor Mr. Rogers in its new Bible Building by naming a selected area the "Paul Rogers Board Room."
Mr. Rogers is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judy (Johns) Rogers; sons, Larry and David Rogers; daughters Susan (Rogers) Harber and Emily (Rogers) Webber; a brother, Maurice Rogers; sisters, Madelyn (Rogers) Poole and Jeanette (Rogers) Lowe; and eight grandchildren.
Visitation for Mr. Rogers will be Saturday, Jan. 8 from 1-8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 9 from noon until 2 p.m. at Centerville Church of Christ, 138 North Central Avenue, Centerville, TN 37033. The funeral will be Sunday, Jan. 9 at 2:30 p.m. at the church.