Big Shoes to Fill
Gary V. Simpson
I want the Lord to burn my mouth. If my mouth is burned with a heaven-sent fire, then the result will be the work of God.
—Gary V. Simpson When I became pastor of Concord Baptist Church, in the heart of Brooklyn, I had an idea of what would be expected of me. I was not coming as a stranger. I had served as associate pastor there for five years before taking a senior pastorate in New Jersey. For 149 years, Concord Baptist has had a vibrant community-centered ministry. It has enjoyed a long tradition of positive pastor-congregation relationships. I am only the tenth pastor in the church's history. Recent history is most impressive. Concord has had as many pastors in its first fifteen years as it has had in the 132 years since. Since 1863, I am the fifth pastor. In all these years, thanks be to God, there have also been no splits nor schisms. Most of my predecessors enjoyed recognition and accomplishment during their pastorates. My immediate predecessor, Gardner C. Taylor, served for forty-two years, instilling a vision for the church and community from the Concord pulpit. He is a master preacher, an effective leader, my former boss, a friend, and a second father. Each of these identities presented me both a blessing and burden. I could not help but feel the pressure to live up to such a record. When I first came to this historic pulpit, I wanted to live up to the legacy of eloquence and profundity that emanated from this station. For five years, I had heard Dr. Taylor preach Sunday after Sunday. I studied him closely. He preached with grandeur and power, eloquent beyond words, and the most awesome part of it was that it appeared almost effortless. I knew, at least I thought I knew, that this was what the church wanted and needed each ...
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