SENIOR PASTOR

Dr. Gary Carver

Got a Minute? Gary Carver Here!

Since October 2009, I have been privileged to serve as pastor of the finest church I know. My path to the Scenic City’s First Cumberland Presbyterian Church has been an interesting one filled with serendipitous surprises.

Born in Gadsden, Alabama, my family moved to Sardis City, Alabama when I was fifteen. There I married Sharlon, my childhood sweetheart, in 1966 and answered God’s call to the ministry. I received my B.A. degree in Religion and History from Samford University in 1968. Sharlon and I then moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where I attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. During that first year our first son Chris was born in 1969. We then moved to Canaan, Indiana, where I served the Indian Kentuck Baptist Church (American Baptist) during which time our twin sons, Brad and Scott were born. The Master of Divinity degree, 1972, was followed by the Doctor of Ministry degree in 1977 from Southern.

I have been privileged to continue my education by studying at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (1990-1992) under Dr. Fred B. Craddock, the world’s leading teacher of preachers and America’s most often quoted preacher. Dr. Craddock’s influence upon my ministry is exceeded only by my appreciation for his friendship. In 1995, I was awarded the Charles E. Merrill Fellowship to study at the Harvard Divinity School in Boston. From January to April I profited immensely from my work under America’s finest theologian, Dr. Harvey Cox.

Perhaps the best and most practical education I have ever received has been from the wonderful people I have served in churches in Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscumbia, Alabama and now Chattanooga! They have given to me far more than I have given to them.

I have always felt that my calling was to serve as pastor of the local church. My staff persons over the years also have been some of my finest teachers and dearest friends. One of my greatest joys has been to serve as pastor to my staff, as we reflect, hopefully, to the congregation what it means to be the church. My position as pastor in Chattanooga has given me opportunities for community involvement through Rotary, the United Way, the Greater Chattanooga Ministerial Association, etc.

Since my college days when I served as a Sports Writer for The Gadsden Times and a Sports Correspondent for The Birmingham News and The Huntsville Times, I have loved to write. My ministry has included articles in The Alabama Baptist, The Review and Expositor, Formations and Lectionary Homiletics. I have had over fifty sermons published in Preaching Magazine, Preaching in Line and the Abingdon Minister’s Manual, 1995 – 2005.

I love preaching. I am little more than a country storyteller. That’s not all bad. Many years ago some one told me a story – the greatest story ever told. Since I heard that story, I have never been the same. Now, God has given me the glorious privilege of making it the business of my life to tell that wonderful story as I see it re-enacted in the lives of everyday people, just like you. I pray that my love of stories and preaching is sensed in my five books: Out From the Ordinary, 1999; Distinctively Different, 2001; Acting on the Absurd, 2001; Search for Serendipity, 2003 and Building a Victorious Life, 2006 – all published by C.S.S. of Lima, Ohio. In fact, my 25 year radio ministry, “Gotta Minute?” is an outgrowth of my preaching ministry and an expansion of the pulpit of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

I retired from the First Baptist Church of Chattanooga in January 2009 after 23 and half years only to find that God had other ideas. Only God and his infinite mercy and wisdom cold have led Sharlon and me to this warm and wonderful church. After serving as stated supply, God led us and the congregation to join together as pastor and people. We are joyously glad to be Cumberlands and richly enjoy our new denomination and the enriching relationship of the Tennessee-Georgia Presbytery.

Sharlon and I enjoy our log home on Missionary Ridge. Our 3 and half acres give plenty of room to rip and roam for our four grandchildren: Brandon and Katelyn (Brad and Amy), Hadley (Scott) and Alyssa (Chris). We also enjoy traveling when we aren’t spoiling our grandchildren and Sharlon isn’t working as the Medical Staff Coordinator for the Galen Medical Group.

Thank you for your interest in our loving church. We sincerely desire to make more and better disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ. In doing so, we promise to minister to you as well as providing a place for you to minister.

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First Cumberland Presbyterian:
Location: 1505 N. Moore Rd. Chattanooga, TN
Phone: 423.698.2556
Directions: Click here.

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