Church officials assured the congregation and international broadcast audience that the church and related ministries will continue moving forward in the direction set by Kennedy, who began CRPC more than 48 years ago.
"We thank the Lord for His faithfulness to my father over nearly one-half century, through the impact this church has made in the lives of people in this congregation and community and the influence he has had on countless individuals around the world through radio and television," said his daughter Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy speaking in a news release.
Kennedy, 76, preached his last sermon from the pulpit of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve 2006. He suffered a cardiac arrest four days later and has since been unable to return to the pulpit. A tribute worship service honoring Kennedy’s ministry will be held at CRPC on Sun. Sept. 23.
Kennedy started the church and began his pastorate on June 21, 1959. He has always had a vision for global impact for Christ. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities he is founder and president of Coral Ridge Ministries which produces his radio and television outreach.
He has also authored more than 65 books and is one of the founding board members of the Alliance Defense Fund. In 1995, he opened the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Christian Statesmanship to offer spiritual counsel to members of Congress and their staff.
Dr. James C. Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, called Kennedy one of the Church’s "truly significant figures." In a statement to Kennedy, Dobson said, "For decades now, you have stood strong in defense of faith, family, and most importantly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers around the world are indebted to you for your vision and leadership."
Dr. Frank Wright, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters echoed his gratitude for Kennedy’s ministry. "As Dr. Kennedy retires from the scene of active ministry, I praise God for giving the Church this man of vision so committed to the Kingdom of God," said Wright in a news release.
He added, "With his godly wisdom, his courageous heart and his consistent example, he has inspired millions to love, follow and serve Jesus Christ. Dr. Kennedy is a man among men who will continue to cast a long shadow in the lives of those who know and love him."
The announcement of Kennedy’s retirement begins a process by the church of choosing a successor to fill the pulpit and office of senior minister. This procedure is well-defined in the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the denomination to which Coral Ridge belongs. The officers of the church will assess the church’s needs and supervise the election, by the congregation, of a pulpit search committee comprised of a cross section of members. This committee will consider numerous candidates before making its recommendation to the congregation for a vote.
As outlined in PCA bylaws, the congregation will have the final voice in determining the new senior minister to succeed Kennedy. The entire process of succession is expected to take between one and two years. CRPC currently operates under the governance of the congregationally elected elders.
According to a news release Rev. Ronald L. Siegenthaler, executive minister of the church, will implement the policies of the governing body as he supervises the day-to-day events of the church’s various ministry departments.
"Dr. Kennedy’s moral leadership and his legacy of impacting the globe for Jesus Christ are matched by few in recent Church history," Siegenthaler said in a news release. "It is our desire to honor him by sustaining and multiplying his impact through Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church as well as all of the ministries he founded."
In 1960, Kennedy read the words of Jeremiah 33:3 to the handful of people who comprised his then-fledgling congregation, "Call unto Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." He told his then small flock, "You know what? I believe we can change the world!"
Kennedy’s belief of being able to change the world through God’s people stayed with him through his entire ministry. In his closing prayer at his 75th birthday celebration in 2005, he expressed confidence to the Lord that the best is yet to come. "We believe You are yet going to change the world in a far greater fashion," he said.
A legacy Web site, www.DJamesKennedy.org, has been developed to pay tribute to Kennedy.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission
