Rev. James Carter

Rev. James Carter

Rev. James Carter accepted the call as pastor on February 1, 1961. Carter’s Calling Card: “I read recently of an old potter who was shaping clay into the desired shape by his hands. A visitor asked him “Why don’t you have machinery to do that?” The old man replied, ”We tried all kinds of machinery and failed, somehow it needs the human touch.” “How expressive this is of the work we try to do for God. Somehow it needs the human touch. The human touch is of kindness. It is the touch of interest. It is the touch of genuine concern. It is the touch of love. The human touch expresses the fact that even though the church is God’s installation, it’s work is carried out by people. And people are what the church is trying to reach and enlist to win to Christ and to track in Christian service. The ministry of the church is a ministry to people. For these reasons, the human touch is extremely important.” “The human touch is seen in your willingness to visit others for the church. Some of those you visit may be sick, others maybe a little upset, some may have missed church recently, and some may need salvation. The human touch shows that you are interested in them. The human touch is seen in your willingness to help others in their times of trouble and difficulty. It may be a small act, but it shows you care. The human touch is seen in your acceptance of a place of responsibility and service in the church. You are showing that your concerns reach to the point of actually serving Christ. Friendliness, thoughtfulness, love, concern. This the human touch. It must have the human touch for the ministry of the church to be effective.” Dr. Carter tendered his resignation on May 28, 1964 and accepted the pulpit of the First Baptist Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana.