INTERVIEW

WITH

Bishop WalterS. Thomas, Sr.

New Psalmist Baptist Church

Baltimore, MD

G&G: Bishop Thomas, it is indeed a special honor to be a part of your 45th Pastoral Anniversary Celebration. It’s been five years since we talked with you for your 40th Pastoral Anniversary, so I’m going to start with the same question from that interview. How do you feel now, five years later? Bishop Thomas: I am still excited about the possibilities that exist for individuals to experience and know God. I am excited about the new opportunities afforded to us to share the message with persons and extend our outreach so we can better serve the kingdom. So much has changed in 5 years and I believe we are on the verge of seeing a great revival.

G&G: Bishop Thomas, you are celebrating 45 years of leadership, empowerment and legacy. Let’s talk about leadership and empowerment. You have pastored the New Psalmist Baptist Church for 45 years, what do you believe is most important in leading a ministry—mission, core values or vision? Bishop Thomas: I think the most important thing in leading the ministry is

the connection between mission, vision and core values. It’s not one of them or the other. It is the intersection of all three. I do think successful leadership can be traced to one’s commitment to one’s inner core values or the core values of the institution one leads. Equally the vision must point the way and a good leader works at keeping the lenses clean and clear so that he or she can see the direction in which they should travel. G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have modeled the way with 45 years under your belt as the Pastor of New Psalmist Baptist Church, how do you become an even better leader? Bishop Thomas: I become a better leader by becoming more aware of the resources available to work with the problems that are being identified. We are living in a time when resources are more plentiful than ever before and our task is to find where they are, learn what they offer and use them. God has given us far more to work with than we realize. Bishop Thomas: I still see the church as the body of Christ, the visible presence of Christ on earth and I believe now more than ever we are called to go into communities and speak a word of hope to a community that is struggling. I don’t see the church as just an oasis in the dessert. I see it as a healing station that is treating those who have been beaten and knocked down by life. I see the church as a place of sanctuary where one can find strength to handle what life is putting on them. Finally, I see the church as a community of called together people facing the same realities but committed to trusting the same God.

Legacy

Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr. and First Lady Patricia Thomas

Bishop Thomas with his sons Rev. Walter Thomas, Jr., and Rev. Joshua Thomas

G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have been empowering disciples for 45 years, down through the years has your view changed on how you see the church and its people?

G&G: Bishop Thomas, how would you describe the young pastor that came to New Psalmist Baptist Church 45 years ago to the pastor you are now? Bishop Thomas: The pastor that came to New Psalmist in April of 1975 came with wonder in his eyes and a zeal for God in his heart. I had no clue what to do. I just knew I was delighted to have the opportunity to be able to do. That young man that came here 45 years ago who was everyone’s child has grown to become everyone’s grandfather and it has been a delightful journey. That youngster had the privilege of growing up among

back, is there one memory that stands out above the rest? Bishop Thomas: Yes, when New Psalmist took Baltimore City and surrounding areas downtown for a conference on the Kingdom. We called it Kingdom Conference and we had thousands of people downtown to praise God and grow in faith. The focus of this ministry has always been empowering the Lord’s Disciples and that’s what we did when we took over downtown.

Bishop Thomas singing with his daughter Joi

a congregation that helped him to grow up and grew up with him. That 25-year-old would tell the person I am now never forget the gleam that was in your eye and the hope that was in your heart.

G&G: Bishop Thomas, knowing what you know now, if you had the chance to do it all again, would you? And is there anything you would do differently? Bishop Thomas: If I had a chance to do it all over, I’d do it in a heartbeat. If I could start over from day one I’d do it in a heartbeat. There would be no question what I would do. But I would, if I could start over, trust God more. There are so many things that could have been, if my faith had been strong enough to believe it.

G&G: Bishop Thomas, I know in 45 years much has happened, if you were to let your mind roll

G&G: Bishop Thomas, I would imagine you have stood on many shoulders; can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your life as the result of their legacy? Bishop Thomas: I would say my mother and father. I would have to name two. I always feel as if I stand on their shoulders. I’ve been blessed to know great people and have them pour into my life. However, my foundation was poured by my parents, Calvin and Elizabeth Thomas, and they waited around to make sure the cement hardened. They taught me so much and it’s upon their shoulders that I stand the tallest.

G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have been a huge impact for so many who have come after you. What does it feel like to have so many sons and daughters in ministry who are now a part of your legacy? Bishop Thomas: It does make me feel good to see others want to travel this same path. I am forever

humbled that God used me and uses me to speak into persons lives on such a level that they open the door for God to make serious change in their lives. I know it’s not me. It’s God and His plan being fulfilled in their lives. It makes me aware of how important it is to be connected to God and how significant it is to always give God the glory.

G&G: Bishop Thomas, you have pastored people from many genres and walks of life, but is it different or more challenging to pastor your own children and grandchildren, who see you as their dad and granddad? Bishop Thomas: Not really. It’s not really difficult because the key of life is just to be who you are. I at the same time. They know me as that. They don’t come to me just because I’m pastor or parent but because I am both.

G&G: Bishop Thomas, it is truly a blessing to have all of your children serving in ministry, do you see yourself reflected in their lives? Bishop Thomas: Each and every day I see myself in my children. I also see my wife in my children. My wife and I have served together and have been married for 43 years and I definitely see her in them. I see my wife’s temperament and love for the kingdom in them. When I see God moving in them and see glimpses of myself, I am grateful to God for having been able to leave a positive impression upon them that is helping to guide and shape them in that moment.

am their father, grandad, pastor and servant of God. Those are not different hats. They are all the same hat. They appear when I am in different settings and situations, but I am always the parent and the pastor

G&G: Bishop Thomas, serving God and His people for 45 years, I would certainly say is fulfilling your calling and purpose in life, what do you want your legacy to be as it relates to your family and the church? Bishop Thomas: In the years to come I want to be remembered as one who seriously served and trusted God. I want to be seen as one who tried to show others the amazing possibilities that exist for the children of God and the joy that comes from being in God’s family. My legacy will not be just bricks or mortar; I want it to be a spirit of intentionality that grips those who want to live for Christ.