Tim Norton was ordained as the associate pastor of Evergreen Church in Peachtree City on July 31. Norton was ordained in ECO, A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. In this denomination, the ordination process has several steps of discernment to confirm and celebrate the call to ministry of a man or woman who has completed their seminary training.
After personal statements and recommendations from a local church, a candidate completes several written tests, two psychological examinations, and several interviews at the local and district level.
Norton, who previously served as Evergreen’s director of Family Life and Outreach, is a native Floridian and die-hard Florida State fan. He graduated from FSU with a degree in music theatre and later received a master of divinity and master of theology in preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Mass.
Norton says he is passionate about preaching and helping everyday people find their everyday identity in the gospel of Christ and his coming Kingdom.
After the more than year-long process, Norton says he was excited and humbled by the ordination service.
“It was an emotionally and spiritually overwhelming experience,” he said. “Seeing friends, mentors, family, and my church family all together for that moment was a gift from the Lord. It is only by the grace of Christ that I am here.”
Evergreen Church is a Presbyterian Fellowship that belongs to the ECO denomination.
For more information, visit www.evergreenchurchga.org or call 678-788-7374.
Shown above at the ordination of Tim Norton at Evergreen Church in Peachtree City are (L-R): Dr. David Miller, lead pastor, Evergreen Church; Margaret Harouny, assistant pastor, Charleston Presbyterian Church; Anna Kent, national director of Mission Affinity Groups, ECO; Tim Norton, associate pastor, Evergreen Church; Sue Black, commissioned lay pastor, Forest Park Presbyterian Church; Dwight Hartman, elder, Evergreen Church; and Dr. Jim Singleton: associate professor of Pastoral Leadership and Evangelism, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Photo/Special.
