Jim Williams (pastor)
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S. Jim Williams | |
|---|---|
| 9th General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand | |
| In office October 1977 – 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Houston |
| Succeeded by | Wayne Hughes |
Sidney James Williams (11 September 1935 – 18 July 2015) was a pastor and leader of one of the most influential churches in the Assemblies of God in New Zealand. He was a published author and a General Superintendent of the NZ Assembly of God.
Williams received his training at a Bible College in Tauranga.[1] In 1972 he moved with his wife Betty to become pastor of the Hamilton Assembly of God. During his ministry there his influence extended outside his local church through a series of conferences on church growth that attracted many from other Pentecostal denominations as well. In 1975 he became a member of the executive of the NZ AoG.
Leadership and influence
In 1979 Williams followed Frank Houston as General Superintendent of the NZ AoG. He proved a dynamic leader, gaining popularity as a speaker with his regular programme on the newly formed Radio Rhema. As Carew notes[2] this "lifted the Assemblies of God’s profile considerably".
The denomination as a whole was experiencing new growth:[3]
As people continued to migrate from the mainline denominations, secular media became more aware of Pentecostal growth. Newspaper reports noted increasing numbers of adherents, striking new buildings, high levels of financial giving, and the upbeat services and theological certainty offered by these churches. They also highlighted the youthfulness, ethnic diversity, and large numbers of unemployed amongst Pentecostal adherents.
Williams became a published author with a work based on the book of Proverbs called Wisdom - the missing link a book on handling pastoral problems.
One of the most difficult things he had to manage as General Superintendent was the fallout following the revelation of the financial and moral failure of Neville Johnson then pastor of the largest church in Australasia, the Queen Street Assembly of God.[4]