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Community leaders praise retiring pastor
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer
Published on Monday, Sep 08, 2008
The question Joyce Fowler had for the man asking her to marry him 47 years ago was whether he intended to follow his father's footsteps into the ministry.
He answered with an emphatic, ''No!''
That answer satisfied her enough to accept his proposal because she had no desire to be married to a pastor.
On Sunday, that man — the Rev. Ronald J. Fowler — announced that he would retire Jan. 1 as pastor of Arlington Church of God, the Akron church where he succeeded his father as senior pastor 38 years ago. His wife also will retire as first lady of the church.
''I knew it was God's will for him and we have been blessed by the experience,'' Joyce Fowler said. ''I never imagined that our lives would be spent in
ministry or that it would be this wonderful. We've had a beautiful relationship as a couple and as a church family.''
Pastor Fowler said after much prayer and reflection, he just knew it was time to leave his post at the church.
''What a vintage journey I've had,'' said Fowler, 72. ''The church is positioned to carry on an effective and faithful ministry. The finances are in good shape and the leadership is solid. This is the time.
''Maturity helps you realize that you can't carry the same payload that you once did. At least, I know the recovery time is taking longer.''
Fowler's reach has extended beyond his church into the community and throughout the nation and the globe. Within his denomination, the Church of God (based in Anderson, Ind.), he is known as a wise counselor.
A faithful mentor
The Rev. Ronald V. Duncan, general director of the denomination, said he personally counts Fowler as a ''faithful mentor'' whom he can call for advice whenever he needs it. Duncan said Fowler's impact on the church has come through his preaching, his ability to foster racial reconciliation and his service on various boards, including the board of trustees at Anderson University, the denomination's largest school.
''His impact has been solid, courageous and wise,'' Duncan said. ''He is well respected in the national and international church. I'm just one of dozens of people who call him for wisdom.
''Through his preaching, he has brought revival and helped people mature in their faith.
''When he speaks, he energizes people, and he has such wisdom in bringing healing when it comes to racial issues. He does it with strength and humility.''
Fowler said he believes his ability to facilitate racial reconciliation was ordained when he was a child playing near a segregated swimming area in the early 1940s in Bedford. After tumbling into the water, he was saved from nearly drowning by a young white girl.
''I didn't know then but now I see that as a manifestation of what has become a subtheme of my life — assisting struggling institutions and individuals in finding their way,'' Fowler said. ''I have never forgotten I owe someone a debt I cannot repay.''
Fowler has been tapped to lead and serve on commissions and committees at the University of Akron and Kent State University, his alma mater, to help build bridges of inclusion.
He and the Rev. Knute Larson, senior pastor at The Chapel, have spent more than 20 years modeling a friendship that has inspired others to break through racial barriers and embrace.
''If this were 2,000 years ago, he would be one of the Three Wise Men. Our close friendship is one of the best things God has done for me,'' Larson said. ''Ron is a great reminder that faith is not divorced from daily life.
''He has a huge heart for our Lord, his church and this city. To me and to this city, he is a big deal. But he doesn't think that. He just does what he believes is best.''
Education and service
After serving in the military, Fowler, an East High School graduate, began his career as a teacher in Detroit Public Schools. He returned to Akron in the late 1960s to become senior pastor of Arlington Church of God.
He earned his undergraduate degree in education at Kent State, his master of divinity degree from what is now the Anderson University School of Theology and his doctorate of theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
He was a member of the Akron school board for 12 years and served two terms as board president. He also was a member of the board of directors of the Summit Education Initiative and co-chairman of the Akron Leadership Roundtable's This City Reads project.
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic said he knew Fowler was a leader the first time he sat in a meeting with him. It was shortly after Fowler had been elected to the school board.
''I remember there was some controversial issue and he was prepared,'' Plusquellic said. ''I never witnessed anybody who was as prepared as him as a newly elected official. He was able to step up and put things in perspective for people and offer the best solution. He is a true leader. He has the ability to grasp issues, step up right away and tell people what needs to be done.''
Fowler has received numerous awards for his community service, including the Akron Area Board of Realtors' Citizen of the Year Award and the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award. He has served on a host of community boards and committees.
''He has touched countless lives,'' said the Rev. Diana L. Swoope, who will succeed Fowler as pastor of Arlington. ''I am what I am today by the grace of God, but I am what I am because of Pastor Fowler. He can see the smallest flame of potential in someone and he keeps blowing on it and fanning it until it ignites and explodes.
''He has an uncanny eye for seeing a person's giftedness. He is unyielding in his strength to help carry you through and his unjealous spirit allows a flame that might get bigger than his to burn right alongside him. You will seldom find such a great spirit with such meekness.
''Pastor Fowler's impact on individuals, this church, the community, the national and international church has been monumental.''
Special gratitude
Fowler, however, credits the people who have surrounded him, including teachers, coaches, parishioners and community members, with all of his accomplishments. He said he owes special gratitude to his wife, children and parents, the late Rev. Robert L. and Susie Bell Fowler.
In his retirement, Fowler said, he plans to spend more time with his wife and family. The Fowlers have three children — Cynthia Fowler-Starks, Christine Fowler-Mack and Ronald II — and four grandchildren. He also plans to travel, write and reflect about how to best use his time and ability in the future.
''Akron will be home. I hope to be around to lend support and encouragement to the leadership here at the church and to the community,'' Fowler said. ''It's hard to walk away from this vocation, but I know it's time and I'm backing off.''
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.
The question Joyce Fowler had for the man asking her to marry him 47 years ago was whether he intended to follow his father's footsteps into the ministry.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 12:03 PM, 09/08/2008
What a great guy. I know he will be missed, but Diane is a great person as well. Best wishes to all of you at Arlington Church of God.
Posted 12:18 PM, 09/08/2008
I've met and worked with Reverend Fowler. I hope that the portrait painted in this article is really him. In my personal experience, he is not this man.
Euclid, OH
Posted 02:49 PM, 09/08/2008
Well, L., that's a cheap shot. What is wrong with this portrait? If there's something else that you have observed, you should speak out and not just cast the odd innuendo around.
Posted 03:28 PM, 09/08/2008
Janet - I can see why you see my post as cheap shot. I really wish I had just kept my thoughts to myself. The person to whom I should speak about my concerns, if I am going to speak to anyone at all, is Reverend Fowler himself.
