Linda and Render Caines
Dr. J. Render Caines will finish a long career of pastoring on Sunday, Aug. 9, during the morning service at Covenant Presbyterian Church. An evening service of thanksgiving at 6 p.m. will be followed by a reception with the Schum Fellowship Hall.
Only 14 years after graduating from Covenant College, Render and Linda Caines returned to Chattanooga in 1983. Dr. Caines had been called as the new pastor for East Ridge Presbyterian Church. His family had already served in places as diverse as Grand Cayman Islands, Sparta, Il., and Simpsonville, S.C.
Though he grew up in New Jersey, Chattanooga was not as foreign as might seem. He had strong family roots in South Carolina. So strong, he initially turned East Ridge Presbyterian Church down, but they persisted. God called him to East Ridge.
In the late 1980s, the thriving congregation felt called to plant a new church in the growing East Brainerd area, a two-lane community with wide open spaces and several farms. Dr. Caines came with 31 families to plant Covenant Presbyterian Church. After starting with services at Westview Elementary, the first building was ready for use in July of 1990. Continued growth allowed the congregation to plant another church in Cleveland, and then also expand their own facilities.
Render and Linda fell in love in college, marrying in 1968. Chattanooga was a struggling city at the time. After their return, they watched it blossom to the thriving city it is now. They also fell in love with the area, making Covenant Presbyterian Church and Chattanooga their home to stay. In 1985, Dr. Caines became a trustee for his alma mater and also served as an adjunct professor of Biblical Studies. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry in 1987 from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Caines often taught that the Bible is not filled with mega-heroes of super faith, but actually real people in a real time and place facing real issues and serving God in their weakness. His sermons helped listeners identify with the individuals of Scripture, whether Moses or Peter, across the anonymity of history. Demonstrating their frailty was not to create modern-day anti-heroes, but to truly see that God works through people just like us. Whether sitting in his classroom or participating in the women’s Bible study at CPC or hearing the sermon on Sundays, the listener would hear a systematic exegesis of Scripture, even the difficult passages, punched with wit and humility.
First meeting Dr. Caines can feel slightly intimidating, from the lingering Jersey boy accent and no-nonsense straight talk to his confidence and piercing gaze. But those who know him know the exterior holds a man of deep passion, commitment, and love for others. In the early 1990s Dr. Caines poured his studies into sharing the love of God from all of Scripture through the lens of I Corinthians 13. He desired for people to see the love of God from Genesis to Revelations and how “the love chapter” was not just written for reciting at weddings, but for all Christians to reflect in life. The sermon series was later published under the title, The Most Excellent Way. However, Dr. Caines was even more delighted to teach the series again at the African Bible College with his two sons, J.R. and Philip, also pastors in the PCA. He deeply cherished the opportunity to teach with his sons and show first hand their relationship as family.
His joy in his wife Linda and their six children, spouses and 24 grandchildren echoes loud and clear. The bulletin board outside his office stayed continually updated with their pictures. Birthdays and holidays mean family dinners and games between grandkids, grandpa and grandma, aunts and uncles. Even with a congregation of over 800, Render knows his first ministry is to his family. He has demonstrated a love and adoration for his wife Linda throughout the years. His love for their children comes through in the love and respect each child has for him, even as each one is a true individual.
His extended family at Covenant Presbyterian Church is thankful that though this season has come to a close, Render and Linda still plan to serve in the Chattanooga area and at Covenant Presbyterian. As he shared at a CPC Men’s breakfast, the members of CPC are their family and this is home, even as it’s time to worship from the pew. He also encouraged members to remember that CPC isn’t Render’s church. It isn’t a church dependent on one man, but on the Lord working in and through all its members.
Though he served as senior pastor for the past 27 years, Render is quick to point to Pastor Eric Mullinax, Mark Wilson, and the many, many others who are just as integral to the life of CPC. Dr. Caines is also clear that God does not change. CPC will still use a reformed approach to theology, a Covenantal approach to Scripture, and a Presbyterian approach to church government. Reflecting on seeing God’s hand through previous changes like building programs or increased staff, Dr. Caines is excited about new energy and new ideas coming. Most of all he gives thanks for the Lord’s leading.
Dr. Caines hopes to encourage and assist other pastors, particularly in the Tennessee Valley Presbytery. He treasures the friendships and mentoring he has received from his fellow pastors in TVP and Chattanooga. The unique gifts and callings of pastor friends like Randy Nabors and Joe Novenson have served as “iron sharpening iron” rather than competition.
If he isn’t cheering for at the grandkids’ games or helping Linda in the garden, he will be found cheering for the Covenant Scots, following Cardinals baseball, reading, or exercising in some friendly competition at home with the grandkids.
Caines family