Waters: A pastor and a prophet departs Idlewild

By , Special to The Daily Memphian Published: May 06, 2019 3:54 PM CT
<strong>On Sunday, May 5, Rev. Dr. Steve Montgomery preached his final sermon as a church pastor. After 39 years in the pulpit, including the past 19 in Memphis as Idlewild Presbyterian Church's senior pastor, Montgomery is retiring.</strong> <strong>&ldquo;In another life I might have played first base for the Atlanta Braves, or sung tenor at the Metropolitan Opera,&rdquo; he told the packed sanctuary on Sunday. &ldquo;But I have only one life to live. I am grateful God made me a pastor to you.&rdquo;</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

On Sunday, May 5, Rev. Dr. Steve Montgomery preached his final sermon as a church pastor. After 39 years in the pulpit, including the past 19 in Memphis as Idlewild Presbyterian Church's senior pastor, Montgomery is retiring. “In another life I might have played first base for the Atlanta Braves, or sung tenor at the Metropolitan Opera,” he told the packed sanctuary on Sunday. “But I have only one life to live. I am grateful God made me a pastor to you.” (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

David Waters
Special to The Daily Memphian

David Waters

David Waters is Distinguished Journalist in Residence and assistant director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis.

Since Steve Montgomery arrived here from Atlanta in 2000, he has played a role as pastor to the entire community. No one has done more to extend "radical hospitality," as theologian Henri Nouwen called it.

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Idlewild Presbyterian Church Steve Montgomery

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