This week, Ordinary Life features a guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Jim Bankston, Pastor Emeritus at St. Paul’s UMC, and a man who was instrumental in bringing Dr. Bill Kerley and Ordinary Life to St. Paul’s.
Rev. Bankston has titled his presentation to Ordinary Life,
“Theological Foundations from Genesis
The Nature of God and the Nature of Humanity”
Rev. Bankston will explore the messages and meaning found in the first 11 chapters of Genesis as they relate to our own human condition. Jim’s outline of his presentation takes the following form.
Gen. 1-2 - Basic Relationships
Gen. 3-11 - Hebrew Understandings of God and Humanity
Gen. 3 - Adam and Eve
Gen. 4 - Cain and Able
Gen. 6-9 - The Flood
Gen. 11 - Babel
There is a common theme throughout Genesis which Rev. Bankston calls, “The Pattern”:
- Boundaries
- Transgressions
- Consequences
- Grace
Rev. Bankston served as the Senior Pastor for St. Paul’s UMC for 18 years before retiring in 2013, and has been a pastor for more than 50 years in every sort of church, from rural, small town settings, to suburban churches, to urban churches like St. Paul’s.
For decades, Jim has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and immigration reform, and has advocated on behalf of the homeless population. He is Southwestern University’s “2023 Medal of Honor” recipient for his tireless work supporting equity for all people, and advocating tolerance, respect, and graciousness.
Jim graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from Southwestern University. He later earned his master’s degree in theology from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and his doctoral degree in ministry from Saint Paul School of Theology. He served as a minister in several churches in Texas before joining St. Paul’s in 1995 and has been a delegate to seven United Methodist Church Jurisdictional Conferences, two General Conferences, and two World Methodist Conferences.
Jim is a respected leader in the interfaith community in Houston. He is a current member and past co-chair of the Anti-Defamation League’s Coalition for Mutual Respect, a group of community and spiritual leaders representing the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu faiths, among others. He has also served on the boards of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and the Institute for Interfaith Dialogue. In 2021, Bankston received the Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston Spirit of Respect Award.
Jim is a powerful and engaging speaker, with a lifetime of insights and knowledge. Please join us this Sunday, 9:45 AM.