ABOUT US
REV DR. JAMES C. CLEMENTS- ST. JAMES CME CHURCH, COLUMBUS, GA
Dr. James C. Clements became the pastor of St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in July 2025. He previously served as the pastor of Shy Temple CME (Decatur, GA) for eight years. Trinity CME (Toccoa, GA), an Associate Pastor at Greater Love CME (Tacoma, WA), St. Paul CME (Lone Oak, GA), and Pastor of Brinson Chapel CME (Greenville, GA).
Dr. Clements is a retired member of the United States Army with over 29 years of combined military service, enlisted and as an officer in the Armor Branch. He has taught school in both the Meriwether County Schools and the Coweta County School District. Dr. Clements served as a Senior Patrol Officer with the Atlanta Police Department for ten years. During his tenure as a Patrol Officer, Pastor Clements was featured on the syndicated television show “COPS.” Dr. Clements was ordained Elder and entered into full connection in 2015. He was named Pastor of the Year 2015 for the Sixth Episcopal District and Pastor of the Year for the Elberton-Gainesville District in 2016.
Dr. Clements is a 1986 graduate of Greenville High School. He currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of West Georgia (1991), a Master of Arts in Administration from Central Michigan University (2002), a Master of Divinity from Luther Rice University and Seminary (2014), a Doctoral of Ministry in Pastoral Care from Liberty University (2019) and a Doctoral of Ministry in Intergenerational Black Church Study at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Rethinking, Reshaping, Reimagining: A Post-Pandemic Evangelism Framework for Shy Temple CME Church. Dr. Clements is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., a former member of the Black Christian Men Association of Toccoa, GA North Region-6th Episcopal District Trustee 2016-2019, Treasurer for the Georgia North Region of the 6th Episcopal District, delegate to the 2018 and 2022 General Conference of the CME Church, and One Church One School Coordinator for the 6th Episcopal District. Dr. Clements led Shy Temple CME through their transition from Atlanta, GA, establishing a campus in Decatur, GA, where a new edifice is being constructed. Dr. Clements is the Presiding Elder of the South Columbus-Cordele District of the Sixth Episcopal CME Church.
Dr. Clements has four children: Sanchez (Jazmane), D’Ante (Courtney), Khiry, Jamesia, and six grandchildren: Aaliyah, Khloe, Kyrie, Hannah, Major, Caleb, and Quavo the grand pup. He is a resident of Luthersville, GA, where he moved back to his roots. His parents are James A. and the late Annie Ruth (Brown) Clements, and he has one sister, Tonya Clements. His passion is working with youth. Many have invested in him; now it is God’s will for him to invest in God’s chosen generation. His favorite passage is Jeremiah 29:11-14: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity.”
ST JAMES CHRISTIAN
Mission Statement
ST JAMES CHRISTIAN
Vision Statement
Great choice 
Core values bring your mission and vision to life in practical ways. Here’s a strong set of Acts 2:38–42 church core values you can use or adapt:
Core Values
* Biblical Truth – We stand firmly on the apostles’ doctrine,
teaching and living according to the Word of God. (Acts 2:42)
* Salvation through Jesus Christ – We believe in repentance, baptism
in the name of Jesus Christ, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit
as the foundation of new life. (Acts 2:38)
* Spirit-Filled Living – We depend on the power and leading of the
Holy Spirit in worship, prayer, and daily life. (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4)
* Prayer & Worship – We seek God’s presence through fervent prayer
and genuine worship that glorifies Him in spirit and truth. (Acts 2:42; John 4:24)
* Discipleship & Growth – We are devoted to equipping believers to
grow in maturity, holiness, and obedience to God’s Word. (Matthew 28:19–20)
* Service & Generosity – We use our time, talents, and resources to
serve others, meet needs, and advance God’s kingdom. (Acts 2:44–45)
* Evangelism & Mission – We are called to share the gospel locally
and globally so that all may know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Acts1:8)
