James Cantrell
District Superintendent
Atlanta Decatur Oxford District
Jim Cantrell became superintendent of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District in June 2005. In addition to pastoring churches in the North Georgia Conference for nearly 30 years, he has chaired both the Conference Committee on Equitable Compensation and the Conference Insurance Task Force, and served on the Conference Council on Finance and Administration. I consider it an honor and a blessing, and truth told, very humbling to be a part of and to give leadership to such a committed, talented, devoted, courageous, and giving group of pastors and laity.
I have already begun to establish some wonderful relationships, and am absolutely amazed at the quality and variety of worship styles, sermons, and music in the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District. In a voice tempered with kindness, Jim shares his expectations and goals for the district. I expect the pastors to be faithful to their calling, take care of themselves physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and spend appropriate time with their families, he says. I want them to be disciples of Jesus Christ and serve their entire community. And I expect them to value, appreciate, and understand that the pulpit is a place to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with conviction, courage, love, and compassion. In return, he expects the churches to be supportive of their pastors and denomination.
My No. 1 vision is that the laity will sense the possibility that is theirs in ministry, claim that responsibility, and put their gifts to use in the service of Jesus Christ. I firmly believe that the best-kept secret of the United Methodist Church is our laity, Jim explains. If they see themselves as ministers and see the pastors as pastors, they have the amazing potential to make a difference in our world. It is our laity that gets the majority of the significant ministry of the church done. Our pastors should serve as resources, supporters, and encouragers that share and cast the vision of the church.