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Stories about My First Church
In the warm, humorous and winning style of Garrison Keillor, Elmer Towns tells stories of his youth as a young pastor which are not only humorous, but convey timeless, godly principles for ministry.
- GenresChristianLeadership
191 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Elmer L. Towns
328 books49 followersDr. Elmer Towns is a college and seminary professor, an author of popular and scholarly works (the editor of two encyclopedias), a popular seminar lecturer, and dedicated worker in Sunday school, and has developed over 20 resource packets for leadership education. He began teaching at Midwest Bible College, St. Louis, Missouri, for three years and was not satisfied with his textbooks so he began writing his own (he has published over 100 books listed in the Library of Congress, 7 listed in the Christian Booksellers Best Selling List; several becoming accepted as college textbooks. He is also the 1995 recipient of the coveted Gold Medallion Award awarded by the Christian Booksellers Association for writing the Book of the Year, i.e., The Names of the Holy Spirit.
He was President of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees (1960-1965). He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in greater Chicago, Illinois, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism (1965-1971).
He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty's existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.
Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism.
His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
He was President of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees (1960-1965). He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in greater Chicago, Illinois, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism (1965-1971).
He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty's existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.
Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism.
His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2011
funny read and great stories
July 8, 2019
A beautiful slice of American life for 19 yr old Elmer Towns as he started as a preacher. Memorable stories and reflective life lessons as a pastor. Beautiful to see his passion to bring people to Jesus.
December 11, 2021
A memoair with both funny and inspiring stories from Towns life. Full of heart and wisdom
March 12, 2024
A fun read for those in ministry with good lessons for leaders.
February 6, 2023
Hilarious yet packed full of truth.
July 9, 2019
Great stories ... But...
The editing is the poorest I believe I've ever seen. The takeaways at the end of each chapter are filled with wisdom, but Destiny Image should be ashamed to have their company associated with this and needs to yank this book until it can be edited. Doesn't look like an editor ever saw it.
The editing is the poorest I believe I've ever seen. The takeaways at the end of each chapter are filled with wisdom, but Destiny Image should be ashamed to have their company associated with this and needs to yank this book until it can be edited. Doesn't look like an editor ever saw it.
July 19, 2016
Entertaining.
This is for Pastors - old or young, new or experienced.
It will give a little perspective on how all of us are gifted
uniquely. You will likely find some of the stories with which you
are able to relate.
A humorous and fun read.
This is for Pastors - old or young, new or experienced.
It will give a little perspective on how all of us are gifted
uniquely. You will likely find some of the stories with which you
are able to relate.
A humorous and fun read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews