By DAWN HANKINS - dhankins@t-g.com
After 37 years of service, Pastor Glenn Forsee preached his finale sermon on Sunday at First Assembly of God Church in Shelbyville. He says he and wife, Linda, are ready for the next journey.
The Forsee family filled the pews of the right side of the church. Friends associated with Forsee and many at the local church, now having moved to other cities, came back to wish him well.
He was pretty strong, until the closing remarks, he admitted. His final text selection was from the Book of Jude. Forsee encouraged his congregation to press forward, prayerfully, into the future with new leadership, which is much younger J.P. Cannon and family.
The retiring pastor said his departure feels more like “a graduation.” It’s a lengthy ministry; his pastorate of 37 years — service time which encompasses about half of the life of the church.
He remains humble, willing to serve Jesus the rest of his days. “My life has exceeded my dreams. God has been so good to me. I have no regrets. It’s easy to wallow in the what-ifs, but either I must believe the Bible, personally, or I don’t. His Word will not come back void.”
Forsee would like his ministry to be known as one which led people to know Jesus better. Most of all, he wants to be remembered as a pastor who, by the Grace of God, represented Jesus in an honorable way.
He notes that on May 28, the church observed “Celebration Sunday” and last Sunday was, “Transition Sunday.” Terry Bailey, superintendent of the Tennessee Ministry network of Assemblies of God and a “long-time friend” to Forsee, was on hand to commission the new pastor J.P. Cannon.
The Cannon family will begin their ministry in Shelbyville this week. (More about Pastor Cannon and family in a future T-G edition.)
Forsee said that he and wife, Linda, will be keeping their membership at First Assembly here, but will be attending other churches for at least 6 months. He is open to speak at other AOG locations.
“We want to give the new pastor at least 6 months . . . .” said Forsee. “We’ll see where things are from there. In no way do I want to interfere with his pastoral leadership.”
Forsee’s final sermon on Sunday was full of life and inspiration, keeping suit with these last 3 decades. The church had a good time, laughing and singing.
The long-time pastor smiled as the congregation sang, “It Is Well, With My Soul.” A touching First Assembly video, previously prepared for the church, once again highlighted the service. The retiring pastoral team decided to end the service with a little whimsy by singing the old Roy Rogers tune, “Happy Trails.”
Forsee says he will continue to serve on Bedford County Board of Education for the next 2 years. Though he’ll be elsewhere for a while for worship, his family will continue to reside in Shelbyville.
The pastor, who had a hand in moving the congregation from Church Street to the newer facility on Highway 231, says he has no doubt that he was called to serve the church. But now, it’s time for a change of life.
“There’s a place of living out my faith in the pulpit. There’s another . . . living out my faith on the sidewalks and in the marketplace—just living out Jesus.”
His ministry credentials go way back to 1978. Still, even in his golden years, Forsee believes Christian discipleship is forever.
“The Bible says ‘go into all the world.’ That’s just not to pay a missionary to go. But for me to go, not to another country or region, necessarily, but to go to the culture of my community and take Jesus [and] show people a real Jesus, without compromise.”
Photos from Sunday’s service are available inside today. Please see Saturday’s Faith Page for Forsee’s final message and a glimpse into his pastoral career.
