Our Organization
The St James church of Christ is an autonomous community of Christians. Our only headquarters is in heaven, our only creed is the Bible, and our only authority is from Christ. We aim to function and structure ourselves according to the model of the local churches described in the New Testament.
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work…” (1 Thess 5:12-13)
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Heb 13:17)
Our Shepherds
Robert Rinehart
Robert has served as a shepherd of the church here in St James since 2001 and as a deacon for several years before that. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 50 years and raised two adult daughters: Emily and Erin. He exemplifies spiritual maturity, sincerity, and stability, all to the glory of God.
Mike Smith
Mike has served as a shepherd of the church here in St James since 2022 and as a deacon for 4 years before that. He and his wife, Carol, have been married for over 25 years and have raised three children: Kyle, Claire, and Makayla. He has a contagious love for the Lord and passion for His people.
What is a Shepherd?
Shepherds (or pastors) are also referred to as elders and overseers within the Scriptures. They are to be men of proven character and maturity who have first exemplified spiritual leadership within their own homes. They are entrusted with the spiritual well-being of the souls that make up this congregation. Their task is to ensure the sheep of this spiritual flock are given proper guidance, nourishment, and protection so that we can grow and work effectively together in God’s service.
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Pet 5:1-3)
“Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. And when they came to him, he said to them… ‘Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.’” (Acts 20:17-18,28)
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” (1 Tim 3:1-7)
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Tit 1:5-9)
Our Evangelist
Grady Huggins
Grady has served as a full-time evangelist since 2012, working alongside congregations in St. Louis, MO, and Pittsburgh, PA, before rejoining the church here in 2024. He and his wife, Erin, both graduated high school in St James. They are now the grateful parents of one young daughter, Ruby. Grady is deeply passionate about spreading the gospel and assisting others in developing a closer relationship with the Lord.
What is an Evangelist?
Evangelists are entrusted with the work of preaching and teaching the gospel, both within the church and out in the community. Whether in synagogues or amphitheaters, by the seaside or in the marketplace, along desert roads or from house to house, evangelists work to spread the good news of salvation. They call people to respond to the transforming power of the gospel and live as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim 4:1-5)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth… And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Tim 2:15,24-26)
Also see Acts 21:8; 8:5-40; Eph 4:11
What is a Deacon?
While the church at St James has had deacons in the past, there is not currently anyone serving in this capacity.
Deacons are special servants entrusted with a task or area of ministry, often more physical in nature. They are given limited oversight to make decisions, ensuring their area of service is effectively fulfilled. They are to be men of proven integrity and leadership.
“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim 3:8-13)
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.” (Acts 6:1-3)
What is a Disciple?
Shepherds, deacons, and evangelists are not the only ones with important roles to play within the body of Christ. There is no clergy/laity distinction in the Scriptures. Every Christian is a full-time disciple of Jesus and needed as an active participant in the work and growth of the church.
The word disciple emphasizes our personal pursuit of Jesus as students of His teaching and followers of His example. The word saint emphasizes the sanctification we have experienced in Jesus and the holy living that should result. The word Christian emphasizes our role as representatives of Christ - the “anointed one” or King.
In God's design for the church, there should be no division between employees and consumers. We must all be full-time Christians, seeking the growth and spread of Christ’s Kingdom above all else in our lives (Matt 6:33). The body of Christ only grows as God intends when every joint and ligament is doing its part to hold the body together and help it function effectively.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph 4:11-16)