Last November, the Executive Officers of this organization met in Nashville to plan this year’s conference. As part of that planning we unanimously selected Dr. Terry York as the recipient of this year’s W. Hines Sims Award, which is given annually to a person who had made long-term, significant contributions in the field of Baptist church music.  On page 62 of your program is detailed information about the legacy of Dr. W. Hines Sims, after whom this award is named.

I also had the privilege of being selected as the person who would introduce my friend, Terry, as the recipient of this award, although tonight I must admit that I feel a little like Miss Piggy being asked to introduce Miss America.

After the planning meeting I headed back home by flying to Dallas and then connecting on to Waco. On the short flight from Dallas to Waco I began thinking about my assignment of introducing Terry tonight and the words “Renaissance Man” came to my mind as to how one could describe him.Then other words began coming to my mind as to what that meant, so I thought that I had better write them down during that time of obvious inspiration. I had a pen in my pocket, but no paper, so I reached forward to look into the seat pocket front of me and I found my parchment, an air sickness bag. But it served the purpose beautifully and by the time I had touched down on that short flight I had completely filled that bag--with words that describe our Renaissance Man, Terry York.

Now, let me share some of those thoughts that I had on that flight.

HYMN WRITER
Who hasn’t used in worship Terry’s most well-known hymn, Worthy of Worship? That is only one of the five hymns he had in the 1991 Baptist Hymnal, not to mention many other hymn texts that he has written.

SOLDIER
Dr. Terry York served honorably a Marine. In 1967-68 he received the National Defense Medal for his service in the United States Marine Corps.

FAMILY MAN
Terry has been married over 37 years to his wonderful wife, Janna, who is here tonight. She is the school counselor at an elementary school in the Waco area. And [Terry] is the father of two married young adult children, Matthew and Melody.

Matthew has degrees in both telecommunication and wildlife management. He is currently working with Texas A&M University as a field biologist for graduate projects. 

Terry’s daughter, Melody, has degrees in Spanish and Social Work.  She is working at Baylor University as Director of Bachelor of Social Work Field Education.

MUSIC MINISTER
Early in his career Terry served as Minister of Music and Youth at churches in Arizona and California.

AUTHOR
He has written many books and articles, too numerous to mention at this moment, but how many of us who have been doing music ministry for a while have enjoyed the memorable journey and food for thought he provided for us in his book, America’s Worship Wars?

POET
Not all authors are poets, but Terry is. Among my favorites of his are the ones published in the book, Three Voices: Poetry in Worship, which he co-authored with Ragan Courtney and Wes Forbis. 

MINISTER
He was Associate Pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas in 1995-98. His job description there had nothing to do with music.

HYMNOLOGIST
Not only were his master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation in the area of hymnology, but  Terry has served in the development of several hymnals including being the Project Coordinator on the ’91 Baptist Hymnal and being on the hymnal committee for the soon to be released Celebrating Grace hymnal.

MENTOR
How many of us have benefited from our association with Terry, whether as student, colleague or friend? He has a special way of including and encouraging that make us better for having been around him. Terry is smarter than the rest of us. We know it . . . and I’m sure he knows it, but he graciously never makes us feel that way.

EDUCATOR
He has taught in some of the very fine Christian institutions of learning including Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and presently at Baylor University and George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

THINKER
Terry’s mind does not work like most of the rest of us. Sometimes I think that he lives on another mental plane which allows him to make observations that, when presented to us, bring new light to an old subject. He creates “A-ha” moments with his unique gift as a thinker and speaker.

CONCLUSION

My list continued on, but I will not at this time.

So please join with me to welcome and congratulate the 2009 recipient of the W. Hines Sims Award, Dr. Terry W. York.

         

Chuck Bridwell is the Minister of Music for Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.