A Tribute to Dr. Paul G. Cunningham

Dr. Paul Cunningham significantly influenced my life as a minister. I imagine hundreds, if not thousands, of Nazarene preachers would say the same thing.

As a college student at MVNU, I had the privilege of attending a conference for Nazarene College and University student government leaders on the campus of MNU. One morning the schedule called for us to meet in the College Church sanctuary where Pastor. Paul Cunningham would share a devotional with us. While I knew him by reputation, that was my first time to hear him in person. He was bigger than life. Almost forty years later, I still remember the illustration he used in that devotional. 

When Diane and I moved to our first pastorate in rural West Virginia, my sister Kim, who attended College Church, would send me boxes filled with cassette tapes of Dr. Cunningham’s sermons. I devoured them. Those messages fed my soul. Not only did I benefit, but that congregation often benefited as well, as Paul Cunningham became an oft-cited source in my sermons.  

My, was he a preacher. Over the years, at district assemblies, and especially at Preachers’ Retreats, his messages inspired, encouraged, and enabled me to return to my assignment with hope. None of us who were there will ever forget his General Assembly message to pastors.  

Paul Cunningham was the first General Superintendent I had the privilege to work with when I became a young, very green, district secretary. Already in awe of him, my appreciation only grew as I observed that his leadership, administrative, and relational skills were as substantial as his preaching gifts. Diane and I will always be grateful for the interest he and Dr. Connie showed in our young boys, Josh and Jeff. Years later they would still inquire about them by name.   

Dr. Cunningham traveled to Maysville, Kentucky, to dedicate our new church building. His arrival at the airport—an hour-away—occurred when the entire congregation was involved in a ministry activity. So, I asked a community leader who did not attend the church to pick up Dr. Cunningham. That hour-long trip changed that community leader’s life and became one of the most significant grace-events of his spiritual journey.

One Tuesday afternoon while I was pastoring in Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Cunningham called to talk with me about serving as district superintendent in South Carolina. I was stunned and told him I didn’t even know what questions to ask. That hour-long conversation became for me a model of how a leader communicates. He walked me through the challenges, the opportunities, the unique dynamics, and why he thought I should accept the assignment. He then served as my General Superintendent in jurisdiction for two years. I’ve never known a more dignified, classy leader. He was always prepared, always dealt with challenging situations gracefully yet decisively, always provided wise counsel, and always left us better than he found us.

The church has lost a great preacher, a great statesman, a great churchman, a great resource, a great soul. Connie, his partner in life and ministry, has lost her companion. May God’s comfort and peace surround her and the family.

 Eddie Estep