HOLT — Since becoming Holt Assembly of God’s head pastor in July, Jay Tyler is now on joking terms with his congregation.
"They call me a 'Yankee' because I am from Indiana,” Tyler said. "They have learned my personality already. I told them it's not wrong to have fun in church."
But it is crucial to bring that fun, and faith, outside church doors, he said.
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"When you are a pastor, you have to be part of the community," Tyler said. "Being a pastor is not just preaching … if you're not a people person, you're in the wrong business."
And being a people person means collaborating with other churches, he said. Holt Assembly of God is collecting donations for First Baptist Church of Holt’s food pantry. First Baptist Church of Holt pastor Curt Rainey said he appreciates Holt Assembly's efforts and anticipates working with the church.
"I am excited to see what our roles as churches do towards the outreach of this community," Rainey said.
Tyler — the keynote speaker at Rainey's church for a Nov. 24 non-denominational Thanksgiving service — said working together, despite differences of faith, also is crucial.
"I think a lot of churches get into competition … and that doesn't work," Tyler said. "The way the world works and the way that God works are two different ways. When you do the right thing for the community, God takes care of your church."
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pastor plans to grow community involvement at Holt church