June 16, 2025, was a sad day because I learned that my long-time friend and colleague Parker Dailey had passed away. I considered him a tremendous Christian leader and pastor. Reflecting on my personal knowledge of his dynamic life and ministry, I believe five characteristics of his leadership made him someone we all admired and respected.
He led through self-discipline.
Though he didn’t have extensive ministry training, he was well read and highly informed on theological, national, and political issues. He had a set schedule of weekly study, meditation, and prayer. This disciplined preparation helped him become a dynamic Bible teacher and eloquent gospel preacher for over half a century. Some may not know that Parker was diabetic. He kept his infirmity in check by a disciplined diet, disciplined daily exercise, and prescribed medicine. His son, Brian, wrote, “He was 96 years old, suffered no pain or debilitating health issues and was fairly lucid to the end…” His self-discipline served him well.
He led through example.
Parker and Jean Dailey planted the Blue Ridge Baptist Temple of Kansas City, Missouri, shortly after the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI) was started. Under Pastor Dailey’s ministry, it became one of the largest churches in Missouri. He promoted and encouraged winning people to Christ, planting churches, training future pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers by leading his church to give to the Baptist Bible College (BBC), now Mission University. He also supported other gospel outreach and missions. His success as a pastor and his support of the causes he loved became an example that hundreds of younger pastors admired and followed.
He led through character.
In 1987, the BBFI was in turmoil over a document unknowingly signed by the BBC executive officers, which ultimately cost thousands of dollars. Parker Dailey, the BBC Vice President and co-signer of the document, appeared before the upset BBFI Directors and a host of pastors to explain what happened. Parker didn’t avoid. He didn’t deny. He didn’t deflect. He didn’t make excuse. He simply said, “Gentlemen, we messed up!” His courage, candor, and character calmed the storm and carried the day.
He led through insight.
Parker Dailey looked at life and circumstances differently from most of us. It showed up in his messages and in personal conversations. I remember congratulating him on being elected President of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International for a second time. He said, “Being President of the BBFI is a stepping stone to nowhere.” When BBC was without a leader in 1987, I remember that Vice President Parker Dailey, over some period of time, spent several days a week at the school handling situations and managing business, until a new President was named. His leadership and insight were invaluable.
He led through humor.
Parker loved a good joke and often used humor when he spoke. He also loved to golf. While they were still alive, he often played golf with BBC Business Manager Reg Woodworth, along with BBC Dean of Men, Ford Harper. At a banquet at the school years ago, I remember Parker telling this story. He said that one day after golf, Reg came home disgusted and told Dorothy, his wife, that he was going to have to quit playing golf with Ford Harper. When she asked why, he said, “Would you play golf with somebody who talks when you are trying to hit the ball?” She said, “No.” Reg asked, “Would you play golf with somebody who moves their ball on the green to get a closer putt?” She said, “No.” He said, “Would you play golf with somebody who cheats on their scorecard?” She said, “No.” Reg then said, “Well, neither will Ford Harper!” The crowd erupted in laughter, and even Reg Woodworth had to smile. Parker Dailey could be funny.
Yes, Parker Dailey was a preacher’s preacher. We loved and miss him.
