ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BP)–Charles S. Lowery, senior pastor of Hoffmantown Church, Albuquerque, N.M., and a popular conference speaker and writer, announced his resignation to the congregation Sunday morning, July 22.
Lowery has been pastor of the largest Baptist church in New Mexico since Jan. 1, 1991.
A staff member at the church told the Baptist New Mexican July 23 that Lowery told the church that he desired to “expand his territory,” citing the prayer of Jabez found in 1 Chronicles 4:10, which has been popularized in a book with the same name by Bruce Wilkinson.
Lowery’s resignation was effective immediately, the staff member said, and Lowery told the church he did not expect to pastor again, since he felt his gift was more in the area of motivational speaking. He said he intends to remain in Albuquerque.
For the past eight years, Lowery has led Hoffmantown to strike a balance between seeker-sensitive and traditional worship and a casual Southwestern lifestyle, according to the church’s website. Adapting a purpose-driven focus, the church has attracted unbelievers and believers through Lowery’s “unique ability to bring relevant, contemporary applications to biblical principles in all areas of life,” according to the website.
Lowery has spoken across the country in the areas of motivation, inspiration and personal and business relationships, through the Lowery Institute for Excellence, Inc.
Lowery has written a regular feature for SBC LIFE, a monthly publication of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, since 1995. Citing comments from readers, Bill Merrell, SBC LIFE’s editor, told the Baptist New Mexican July 23, “Charles Lowery’s feature is habitually the most popular feature in SBC LIFE.”
Lowery came to Albuquerque from First Baptist Church, Dallas, where he had been assistant pastor since 1983, preaching on Sunday evenings and speaking at a weekly business luncheon. He also was supervisor of the Dallas church’s counseling ministry and taught courses at Criswell College.
From 1978-82, Lowery served as associate pastor of First Baptist, North Spartanburg, S.C.; previously he was director of counseling at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C.
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