After 22 years, Lewis Shelton says 'the time has come for new leadership'

By Ian Rollins

Albany Democrat-Herald

Lewis R. Shelton, the senior pastor at the Albany First Assembly of God, is leaving the church after 22 years.

Shelton, 61, announced he was leaving in his sermon on Sunday. In his sermon, which the Democrat-Herald listened to online, Shelton said his departure was necessary because the church is changing, and "the time has come for new leadership" within the church.

He did not announce when his last day would be, saying instead that he wants new leadership in place before he leaves. A church representative said today he is expected to leave by the end of April.

Shelton said in his sermon he's not sure what he will do next, as he's "too young to retire."

Shelton was out of the office today and unavailable for comment.

He has been in ministry for 40 years, starting as the minister of music at the Christian Life Center in Santa Cruz, Calif., in 1967. His first Oregon job was at Bethel Church in Medford, where he was senior pastor from 1981 to 1985. He left there to come to Albany.

He and wife, Margaret, have been married for 41 years.

They have two children, both of whom are married, and two grandchildren.

In addition to ministry, Shelton has been involved in various civic functions.

He was named "First Citizen" by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce in 1998, and he is the current president of the Albany Rotary Club.

Albany First Assembly of God is in its 86th year. The church has about 1,200 regular attendees.