Former Senior Pastor of Country Oaks Baptist Church, Dr. K. Andrew Walker
Andy Walker is married to Amy and they have three daughters: Kate, Molly and Annie.
Education: Dr. Andy Walker went to high school in Natalia, Texas, graduating in 1980. He then went on to get a degree from Texas State University where he majored in Sociology and Psychology. He earned his Master of Divinity in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990. Continuing his education at Westminster Seminary in California, he obtained a Doctor of Ministry in apologetic preaching.
Dr. Andy Walker teaches a Class for men (September through May) on Tuesday mornings at 6:00am and Wednesday nights at 6:00 pm. He also has a Sunday Evening Class for men and women on selected Sunday nights at 5:00pm. Please check out the Andy’s Class Link for the latest calendar.
History
January 5, 2015
Early in 2015, Dr. Andy Walker announced his medical retirement from serving as Pastor Emeritus of Country Oaks Baptist Church.
Dear Elders,
As you all know, Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that gradually decreases a person’s movement, flexibility, balance, and energy. Due to the progression of my disease I am experiencing periods of extreme physical fatigue that can last as long as two days. I have slept through the night and all the next day several times. After consulting with two neurologists I have been advised to apply for disability retirement and to go on medical leave effective January 5, 2015. I am, hereby, submitting my letter of disability retirement. Accordingly, I will not be returning to work.
There are so many of you who have made my tenure as pastor an extremely rewarding and fulfilling experience as we have laughed together, cried together, fellowshipped, worshipped, and glorified God together. While many names and faces come to mind I dare not list them lest I fail to mention all those with whom I have grown especially close.
For the last 24 years I have been blessed to work with several staff members who were and are not only highly skilled but, without exception, brothers and sisters with highest calibre of personal integrity and spiritual maturity. Likewise, I have been blessed to be a part of an elder board with many different men whom God called to take on that blessed and vital role of shepherding God’s flock. I can say that, without exception, every man who has ever served as an elder at COBC, while not always agreeing with one another, were/are men with the highest integrity and devotion to Jesus Christ and His Church. The Apostle Paul wrote, “1Tim. 3:2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach,…”
I must also say that our Deacon boards have always done an excellent job of caring for the poor, the orphans, and the widows in this church as well as in the community of Tehachapi. The Apostle James wrote, “1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”
Finally, Amy, Kate, Annie, Molly and I want to thank you, the Church, for your love, support, generosity, prayers, friendship, and fellowship over the last 24 years. You all, in your desire to be obedient to God, have made my assignment to “Shepherd the flock” a much easier and a more delightful experience and privilege than most Pastors will ever enjoy. We’ve had a fulfilling and rewarding relationship and ministry with you and look forward to continuing those friendships in a new way as members of the congregation.
I will continue to teach my Tuesday Morning and Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Studies as well as my Sunday Evening Men and Women’s Bible Study for as long as I am physically able. You will all be in my prayers and I will be forever grateful for the blessing of being your pastor,brother in Christ, and friend.
In Christ, Kenneth Andrew “Andy” Walker
Here is a copy of what Dr. Andy Walker read during both services on Sunday, April 6, 2014
Pastoral Role Change
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord:
As you all know, Parkinsons is a degenerative disease that gradually robs a person of movement, flexibility, and balance. It is a progressive disease that causes slowness of movement both physically and mentally. Aside from these difficulties there is also the gradual loss of the ability to multi-task. Handling more than one thing at a time creates stress and somewhat of a mental overload because the brain is not able to process information as efficiently due to a significant and progressive loss of vital neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and epinephrine. What was once easy to process and integrate becomes more difficult, frustrating, and stressful. Things that were once simple and easy to do become more complex and daunting.
The role of senior pastor requires being a global thinker as information of all kinds comes from every direction. The tasks of
- shepherding,managing, listening, counseling, communicating, advising, modeling, mediating, delegating,recruiting, strategizing, planning, organizing, inspiring, leading, correcting, rebuking, comforting, arbitrating, helping, consoling, encouraging, training,teaching, mentoring, visiting, discipling, scrutinizing, balancing, studying,adjudicating, researching, memorizing, corresponding, preaching, evangelizing, baptizing, officiating,
are growing more difficult to do adequately. The legitimate, reasonable and biblical expectations that a pastor should be
- hospitable, available, personable, relational, responsible, teachable, approachable, thoughtful,dependable, reliable, predictable, sensible, humble, capable, amiable,competent, efficient, accountable, persevering, imperturbable, gracious, judicious, loving, dauntless, etc.
are harder to fulfill with the progression of Parkinson’s.
Some may infer that my stepping down as Senior Pastor is due to depression, self-pity, and just an overall attitude that “the cup is half empty.” While I am certainly capable of being guilty of such an attitude or outlook, I assure you that my attitude is not the problem in my case, but rather ability is the issue.
My cup is not half empty, but my tank is! I am physically fatigued more quickly with each passing year, yet it’s not the physical fatigue that hinders me nearly as much as the mental fatigue. The cumulative stress that would otherwise be endurable, almost paralyzes me and I’m rendered ineffective.
Yet, I am able to do many of the tasks that are expected. I would still like to
- counsel, teach, encourage, consult, advise, preach when needed, oversee smaller projects and ministry needs. Head up short-term ministry opportunities such as marriage retreats, training leaders, launching new ministries to quickly hand-off to competent and capable members of the church, advise the elder board, deacon board, and ministry leaders that might need theological guidance, be a non-voting member of ad-hoc committees that the elders task with specific, short-range goals and objectives. I would like to try to write a book or two, devotional materials, and perhaps even produce bible study curriculum, 20 minute audio Bible lessons on each book of the New Testament, including several Old Testament books. I would like the opportunities to speak at retreats, Bible conferences, and possibly even do some teaching at a Christian college, university, or seminary.
The key to all of these possible ministry opportunities is to make sure I’m not doing so many simultaneously that I am, once again, experiencing paralyzing mental fatigue. Therefore pacing will be critical in the planning and implementation of such opportunities.
With all of these considerations in mind, I would like to assume the title of Pastor Emeritus. Being a non-ruling pastor I will not be on the elder board any longer and will be only an ex-officio (non-voting) member of boards to which I am appointed by the elders. In light of my decision to step down from the title and role of the Senior Pastor, it is natural and appropriate to designate Pastor Brent Whitney as interim Senior Pastor until such time that he or another candidate is officially called by God, the elders, and the majority of the members of COBC. The elders will explain more fully what the process will be as stipulated by the Constitution and By-Laws of COBC. (*see below)
I have the utmost confidence that Brent is fully capable and competent to step into the role of Interim Senior Pastor and, if The Lord should desire, Brent will be more than competent and capable to assume the office Senior Pastor. Brent has my enthusiastic and confident support. In the years I have served alongside him I have observed he has a thorough knowledge of God’s Word and he has an unwavering commitment to teach, defend, and obey the Scriptures.
Finally, Amy, Kate, Annie, Molly and I want to thank you, the Church, for your love, support, generosity, prayers, friendship, and fellowship over the last 23 years. You all, in your desire to be obedient to God, have made my assignment to “Shepherd the flock” a much easier and more delightful experience and privilege than most Pastors will ever enjoy. We’ve had a fulfilling and rewarding relationship with you and look forward to deepening those relationships in a new role as Pastor Emeritus.
In Christ’s love,
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Dr. K. Andrew Walker explained how his Parkinson’s Disease is impacting his role as Senior Pastor of Country Oaks Baptist Church. Andy currently has the symptoms listed in the graphic below. He planneds to preach, teach and counsel as long as he is able. Since multi-tasking is difficult for a PD patient, Andy has handed his mantle of business and overseeing the ministries of the church to our Associate Pastor Brent Whitney with his blessing. Please pray for Andy, Pastor Brent and the whole church family as we go through this time of transition.
2. When there is a vacancy in the position of Senior Pastor, the Elders shall immediately appoint a Pulpit Council consisting of at least two Elders, one Deacon, and two members of the congregation in good standing. The Council shall interview candidates and make recommendation to the Board of Elders. They in turn shall present the candidate to the congregation for evaluation and consideration. The Board of Elders will upon adequate consideration by the congregation poll the church membership by ballots as input into the final decision to call a candidate as Pastor. A two-thirds majority is necessary to proceed in the selection process.
Recommended by Dr. K Andrew Walker
www.AlbertMohler.com – “Thinking in Public”
Historical Evidence for the Resurrection – by the staff at Desiring God