Sr. pastor of Frazer UMC in Montgomery announces July retirement
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Dr. Tim Thompson, the senior pastor of Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, has announced plans to retire in the coming months. Thompson first made the announcement in a letter to the church's approximately 7,000 members before releasing a statement to the media.
Thompson set his pending retirement date for July 1, "After several months of prayer, reflection, and conversation with his family." The pastor and his wife, Virginia, say they want to spend more time with their three daughters and grandchildren.
While Thompson has been with Frazer, one of Montgomery's largest churches, for the last six and a half years, he's been a full time Methodist minister for nearly 40 years.
"I never dreamed I would have the privilege of serving a church like Frazer," Thompson wrote to congregants. "You have inspired us, and our faith and our joy has grown so much because of you. We both thank you for the way you have embraced us... and for allowing us to share life with you. We have been beyond blessed. Continue to pray for us as we look forward to a new chapter of life as a family."
"It's been an honor and privilege to serve under Tim Thompson," said Frazer Board of Stewards Chairman Russ Dunman. "Tim's love for the Lord and his humility and humor have fed and strengthened all of us. While we don't like saying goodbye, we celebrate this next season for Tim and Virginia and this next season of multi-site worship at Frazer."
Thompson's work in developing Frazer into a multi-site church reaches its first goal on Feb. 7 when, in addition to its main campus on Atlanta Highway, a new campus will open in Pike Road. More satellite campuses are in the planning stage over the next several years.
A search by Methodist leaders to name Thompson's successor will begin at an unknown future date.
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