Keith Taylor on Finishing Well After 42 Years, Dynamic Forms of Mission Over the Last Century, and His Encouragement to Young Pastors
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In this week’s episode, Jason had the opportunity to connect with Keith Taylor in the final week of his 30 year tenure at Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton. In their conversation, Keith reflects back on 43 years of ministry and the ways he saw God move in different ways, in different seasons. He also shares about the unique history of Beulah, born out of a missionary-style movement to Western Canada in the early 1900s, and speaks to young pastors about what can help them serve faithfully for decades to come.
As Keith finished his time as the Lead Pastor of Beulah, it was also the beginning of a new era of leadership for the church. Almost five years ago, the journey began as the elders board and Keith started to look towards what would be next and how they might begin preparing for the search and evaluation process. Once a candidate was found, Keith shares about how it was another two years of overlap as they slowly transitioned roles and responsibilities, allowing the new leader “to increase while [Keith] could decrease.”
Beulah’s story is special in the history of the Canadian Church. Over 100 years old and with more than 60 churches tracing their roots to Beulah, there have been many seasons of change and leadership. Keith talks about some of the early days where pastors were trained up and sent out on horseback and dog-sled to reach the rural areas of Alberta. Years later, the church also stepped into radio and broadcasting sermons, reaching thousands across the prairies in the 30’s. In more recent history, Beulah has launched multiple sites, focused on city initiatives, and funded missionaries and churches throughout the world. In all of this, Keith highlights how important it was to the vibrancy of the church that they were missional, innovative, and outwardly focused in their efforts.
“To my generation of early retirees, rather than saying, ‘Hey, go play golf.’ I’m saying, ‘Let’s go make a difference’. ”
Looking ahead, Keith says he isn’t done just yet! Although his time at Beulah is over, he is excited by the ways God might lead him to new assignments and ways to serve others still. He plans to spend time with younger pastors and to invest in the next generation of leaders who face a challenging Canadian landscape ahead. He has great faith though, knowing that if pastors continue to rely on God’s power, He will ultimately continue to build His Church across our country. We hope you and stirred up in your faith and encouraged from this week’s conversation with Keith Taylor.
Keith Taylor
Keith Taylor recently completed 30 years as Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton. Previously, Keith was lead pastor for 11 years at the Alliance Church in Vernon, BC. He will continue to be a part of ministry of Beulah post-retirement. Keith is married to his childhood sweetheart, Jacquie for 45 years. They have three married children and 6 awesome grandkids. Keith has served on the Ambrose University Board, Alpha Canada Board and numerous other denominational boards. He has a passion for motorcycles and sailing.
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Coming Up Next
Episode 67: Kara Powell
Kara Powell, PhD, is the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) and Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary (see fulleryouthinstitute.org). Named by Christianity Today as one of “50 Women to Watch”, Kara serves as a Youth and Family Strategist for Orange, and also speaks regularly at parenting and leadership conferences. Kara is the author or co-author of a number of books including 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager (releasing August 2021), Faith in an Anxious World, Growing With, 18 Plus, Growing Young, The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith Curriculum, Can I Ask That?, Deep Justice Journeys, Essential Leadership, Deep Justice in a Broken World, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World, and the Good Sex Youth Ministry Curriculum.